Overview
The M109A3GA1 is a German upgraded version of the M109 Paladin. It features the FH-70 howitzer, redesigned ammunition stowage, alongside other minor improvements to FCS and other internal systems. 570 M109Gs were upgraded to this standard between 1986 and 1990, with 262 later upgraded to M109A3GA2 standard in 1999-2000. The M109A3G was exported to Austria and Norway.
- Yes
- No
History
Expand
Origins of the M109
Development of the M109 started in 1952. Experience in Korea showed that a modern SPG would need be lightweight, reliable, and have a fully-enclosed turret with 360 degrees of traverse and elevation far beyond 45 degrees. To this end, a pair of vehicles were designed: the 105mm M108 and 155mm M109. The two were essentially identical except for armament and shared many components with the M113 APC to reduce costs. The M109 entered service in 1963 followed by the M108 in 1966. Both saw combat in Vietnam, where it was determined that the 105mm calibre was obsolete, resulting in the M108 being retired with most being converted into M109s.
The M109G
West Germany received a total of 586 M109A1s and A2s between 1964 and 1972, making Germany the first export customer of the M109 and having the third largest M109 fleet after South Korea and the US themselves. The M109s were modified upon arriving in Germany, being fitted with a modified version of the M126 cannon with new fume extractor, muzzle brake, and a wedge-type breechblock instead of the original interrupted-screw. This version was also exported to various nations.
M109A1,2,3
Back in the States, development of the M109 continued. The first major upgrade came in 1973- this was the M109A1 armed with a more powerful 155mm L/39 M185 howitzer. This was followed by the M109A2 in 1979, with a number of upgrades to reliability, availability, and maintainability. Concurrent with M109A2 production, M109A1s were refitted to this standard and designated M109A3s.
The M109A3GA1
By the 1980s, the M109Gs were showing their age. So in 1983 the Bundeswehr initiated an upgrade program of all 570 in-service M109Gs to M109A3 standard, to be designated the M109A3G. At the same time, these vehicles would receive a substantial combat upgrade. The cannon was replaced with the more powerful 155mm L/39 FH-70 which could use more powerful ammunition. This cannon also featured a ramming device to reduce loader fatigue. Ammunition stowage was increased from 28 to 34 rounds, with 22 of these rounds located in magazines at the rear of the turret. Combined with the rammer, this relocated ammo storage increased fire rate partially for long engagements. Redesigned doors on the turret rear allowed for easy reloading of the ready-rack from outside he vehicle. The M109A3G also featured improved IFAB FCS and AURORA navigation equipment. This basic M109A3G would later be designated the M109A3GA1 or M109A3GEA1.
The M109A3GA2
The Panzerhaubitze 2000 was intended to replace the M109A3GA1. However, budget cuts caused the reduction in PzH 2000 orders. So it was decided to overhaul 262 M109A3Gs to extend their service life until 2015 with an option for an additional 262 upgrades. Like the previous program, the reliability upgrade came with a performance upgrade. In the case of this new model, designated the M109A3GA2 or M109A3GEA2, this performance upgrade came in the form of the KAKU Ammunition Handling Kit, an autoloader that allowed the reduction of crew from 6 to 4 as well as an increase in fire rate to a blistering 10RPM. Other improvements included a new electrical system and the addition of two stowage boxes on the turret front. The M109A3GA2s, while originally intended to serve until 2015, were retired in 2007.
Specifications
Expand
General
Length: 6.19m
Width: 3.15m
Height: 3.28m
Weight: 24.4 tonnes
Crew: 6
Automotive
Detroit Diesel 8V71T V-8
Max 405 hp at 2300 RPM
16.6hp/tonne
Armour
32mm Aluminum Alloy 5083 all-around (same as M109G)
Armament
1x 155mm L/39 FH-70 howitzer
Max fire rate: 6RPM (10s reload)
22 round ready-rack, turret bustle
2x6 rounds, hull sides
-3/+75 degrees elevation
360 degree traverse
DM21 (M107) HE- impact and VT fuzes
DM111 (L15A1) HE- impact and VT fuzes
DM105 smoke
1x 7.62mm MG3A1, cupola-mounted
2,000 rounds
6x smoke grenades
The M109A3GA1 in-game
Expand
There are two possibilities for the M109A3GA1 in-game.
For one, the M109A3GA1 has a substantially increased punch over the standard M109G or even M109A1s, with a faster reload and the excellent DM111 round. However, it’s otherwise just an M109 with identical mobility and armour. Survivability would probably be slightly decreased, between the huge turret ammo rack and the lack of .50 cal to ward off aircraft. It’d fit somewhere around 6.7-7.0.
However, there’s quite a few vehicles already that should have L15 or another improved HE shell but don’t. So there’s unfortunately a real possibility that the M109A3GA1 could be limited to DM21, at that point just being an M109A1 with moderately faster reload, and the slightly reduced survivability. In that case, it’d be 6.3-6.7.
Either way, the M109A3GA1 would be great to bridge the gap between the M109G and PzH 2000 and would likely be foldered under the M109G.
I personally would love to see this vehicle come alongside its Italian brother the M109L!
Pros:
- 33% increase in fire rate over current M109s
- Extremely potent DM111 (L15A1)
Cons
- Extremely thin armour
- Mediocre mobility
- No HMG
- Large rear ammo rack
Gallery
Expand
It’s frustratingly difficult to find good actual images among the hundreds of scale models
M109A3GA2
Sources