- Yes
- No (Please State Why)
Background
Spoiler
The M109 is a self-propelled howitzer, developed in the United States and first deployed in the early 1960s as a successor to the M44. It has undergone several upgrades, with the latest version being the M109A7. This artillery system is the predominant indirect-fire support weapon utilized by maneuver brigades within armored and mechanized infantry divisions in Western military forces.
In 1980, Taiwan and the United States signed an agreement to purchase M109A2 and M110A2 self-propelled guns, and the project began to be implemented in May 1981, and Taiwan gave it the nickname “Lu Jing III”.
The initial appearance of the M109 in Taiwan occurred in 1981, when two M109A2 units participated in the 70th anniversary celebration of the Republic of China. Subsequently, in 1982, a total of 100 M109A2 units were introduced. These artillery pieces were assigned to the Army Mechanized Divisions, Armored Brigades, and Marine Artillery Units. In 1997, a batch of 97 M109A2 were delivered, of which all were sent to Marine Artillery Units.
Currently, the M109A2 is still in service, serving alongside M109A5. The M109A2 is planned be phased by either M109A6 or other alternatives by 2030.
Technical Data
Specifications
Crew - 6
Weight - 25,000 kg
Length - 9.1 m
Width - 3.15 m
Height - 3.25 m
Powerplant - General Motors 8V71T Model 7083-7396 Supercharged Diesel (Gross 298 kW at 2,300 rpm)
Transmission - Allison XTG-411-2A (+4/-2)
Max Speed - 56 km/h
Suspension Type - Torsion
Tracks - T136
Armor
Assembly - Welded
Armor Configuration - Rolled 5083 Aluminum Alloy
Hull UFP - 31.8mm
Hull LFP - 31.8mm
Hull Sides - 31.8mm
Hull Rear - 31.8mm
Hull Roof - 31.8mm
Hull Floor - 31.8mm
Turret Front - 31.8mm
Turret Sides - 31.8mm
Turret Rear - 31.8mm
Turret Roof - 31.8mm
Fire Control / Armament
Main Armament Mount - M178
Main Armament - M185 155mm Howitzer
Gunner Sights - M117A2 / M118A3 for Assistant Gunner
Ammunition Count - 36
Ammunition Type - M107 HE/PF, M110 Smoke, M795 HE
Horizontal Traverse - 360°
Traverse Rate - 11°/s (Hydraulic, Manual Override Present)
Vertical Traverse - +75 / -3
Traverse Rate - 7°/s (Hydraulic, Manual Override Present)
Secondary Armament - 12.7mm M2HB
Ammunition Count - 500
Horizontal Traverse - 360°
Images
Sources