M102 howitzer

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

First introduced during the Vietnam War, the M102 was the light-towed 105 mm howitzer used by the United States Army in the Vietnam war, Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. It fires a variety of conventional munitions and traverses rapidly through 360 degrees. M102s can be dropped by parachute or transported by utility helicopters for normal movement or air assault operations.

The M102 is no longer in use by the United States Army, having been replaced by the M119. It is, however, still in use by the National Guard. It is also used on the USAF's Lockheed AC-130 "Pave Spectre" Gunship.

The M102 is used in extremely limited roles by the United States Marine Corps, primarily for firing salutes, and for training officers in "call for fire" at The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia.

[edit] Characteristics

• Caliber: 105 mm
• Length: 17.1 feet (5.2 m)
• Width: 6.4 feet (2 m)
• Height: 5.2 feet (1.6 m)
• Weight: 1.6 tons (4.7 t)
• Crew: 8
• Rate of fire: 10 rounds per minute maximum, 3 rounds per minute sustained
• Range: 11,500 m (7.1 miles), 15,100 m (9.4 miles) with rocket-assisted projectile

[edit] External links

• The Army Fact File

[edit] See also

• M101 howitzer - preceded 105mm howitzer
• List of artillery
• List of crew served weapons of the US Armed Forces