M44 self propelled howitzer

M44 Howitzer
Type	Self-propelled artillery
Place of origin	United States
Service history
Wars	Turkey-PKK conflict
Specifications
Weight	32 tons (29,000kg)
Length	6.16m
Width	3.24m
Height	3.11m
Crew	5(2 Loaders, Gunner, Commander, Driver)
Shell	separate loading, bagged charge
Caliber	155 mm L/23 caliber
Barrels	1
Breech	Slow cone interrupted screw
Elevation	-5 to 65 degrees
Traverse	30 degrees
Rate of fire	Sustained: 1 rpm Rapid: 4rpm
Muzzle velocity	1,850 feet/sec
Effective firing range	Conventional: 14.6 km (9.1 mi)
Maximum firing range	16,000 yards
Armor	12mm
Main armament	M114 155mm howitzer
Secondary armament	M2HB .50 caliber machine gun
Engine	Continental AOS-895-3 450hp
Suspension	torsion bar
Operational range	75 miles
Speed	35mph (56km/h)

M44 (right) at the Texas Military Forces Museum

The M44 was an American-made self-propelled 155 mm howitzer based on the M41 Walker Bulldog tank chassis, first introduced in the early 1950s. Flaws in its design prevented it from seeing action in the Korean War, but the type went on to serve in the U.S., Italian and British Armies into the 1960s, and even longer under the Turkish service.

History

Towards the end of the Korean War the US Army sought to replace the M41 Howitzer Motor Carriage with the M44, which used the drive train of the recently introduced M41 light tank, giving it increased battlefield mobility. Unlike the M41 and the earlier M12 Gun Motor Carriage, the M44 was to have an enclosed gun compartment, giving the five man 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, along with 24 rounds of ammunition.^[1][2]

The initial prototype was designated the T99E1, but production began before testing was complete. After 250 had already been produced by the Massey Harris company, it was discovered that firing the howitzer discharged poisonous fumes into the gun compartment, leading to the cancellation of the order. Engineers offered a revised design called the T194E1 with a modified howitzer and open crew compartment that successfully vented the fumes, though at the cost of crew protection. The already produced vehicles were upgraded to the new standard, and deployed to front line units in 1954, too late to see action in the Korean War, with the designation M44. The M44 fleet was later upgraded with AOS-895-6 engines, and thus designated the M44A1. The M44 served on until 1963 when it was replaced by the M109.^[3]

The M44 was exported to Italy, the UK (where it was called "Cardinal" under the ecclesiastical naming convention for self-propelled artillery) and Turkey.

British M44s

In 1956, the United Kingdom received 58 M44s through the Mutual Defense Assistance Program. 52 were deployed to the British Army of the Rhine in the 1st Royal Horse Artillery and 4th Royal Horse Artillery, while the remaining six were sent to England. The M44 was considered a major improvement over the World War II vintage Sexton self-propelled howitzers. As newer weapons became available, the M44s were passed on to different units, and were ultimately retired and returned to the United States in June 1968.^[4]

Turkish M44T

In 1986, 222 Turkish Army M44s were extensively upgraded with 36 caliber 155mm howitzers by Rheinmetall with an increased range of 24.7 km. An MTU MB 833 Aa-501 V-6 water-cooled diesel developing 450 hp at 2,300 rpm coupled to the original Allison CD-500-3 transmission via a ZF gearbox was fitted. There were numerous other improvements such as upgraded suspension, tracks and fire control and increased fuel capacity. The driver's position was moved into the hull. The last was delivered in 1992.^[5] Some sources claim they have now been withdrawn, but two were seen in a video by the Russian news agency RT, allegedly firing into Northern Syria from a border post inside Turkey in 2015.

Variants

• T94E1: Closed-topped prototype pilot vehicle
• T194E1 and M44: Revised open-topped production model
• M44A1: M44s upgraded with AOS-895-6 engine, increasing range to 82 miles
• M44T: 222 Turkish vehicles upgraded with 36 caliber 155 mm howitzers with range of 24.7 km, new engines with greatly increased range, reconfigured drivers seat, fire control and other upgrades. Upgrades conducted between 1986-1992.

Operators

•  United States : 250 produced
•  United Kingdom : 58 received in 1955, serving until 1968
•  Belgium:^[6] In service from 1956 to 1967.
•  Greece : All retired
•  Italy : Served in the heavy battalion of Italian Armored divisions, including the Ariete division until 1970.
•  Turkey : 222 upgraded to M44T variant by Rheinmetall between 1986-1992.

Surviving Vehicles

At least 39 surviving M44s have been identified in North America and Europe, not including any still in Turkish service.

References

• M44 Self Propelled Howitzers in Action 1950s documentary
• Surviving M44 Self-Propelled Howitzers