M44 Self Propelled Howitzer

M44 Howitzer
Type	Self-propelled artillery
Place of origin	United States
Specifications
Weight	31 tons
Crew	Five (2 Loaders, Gunner, Commander, Driver)
Shell	separate loading, bagged charge
Caliber	155 mm L/23 caliber
Breech	Slow cone interrupted screw
Rate of fire	Sustained: 1 rpm
Effective firing range	Conventional: 14.6 km (9.1 mi)
Armor	12mm
Main armament	M114 155mm howitzer
Secondary armament	1 × .50 cal MG
Engine	Continental petrol
Suspension	torsion bar
Speed	35mph (56km/h)

The M44 was an American-made self-propelled 155 mm howitzer, first introduced in the early 1950s.

Towards the end of the Korean War the US Army replaced the M41 155mm Howitzer Motor Carriage with the M44 which used the drive train of the recently introduced M-41 light tank, giving it increased battlefield mobility and gave the 155mm cannon crew some armor protection, even when firing the cannon. The 155mm cannon was a version of the M114 designated the M45 Howitzer with a modified recoil system that was more compact and put all the cannon under armor except the top and the barrel. The first production models were issued in 1954.^[1][2]

The M44 had a crew of five and was exported to Italy.

References