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1994-05-04
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In 1962, the first M110 self-propelled howitzers were built. By the end of 1960s,
750 M110s were in use with the U.S. Army. In January 1977, the M110 was
improved to fire a new series of ammunition and was designated the M110A1.
In 1978, the M110A1 was fitted with a muzzle brake and designated the M110A2.
The M110A2 has a crew of 13. The commander, driver, and three gunners ride on
an open M110 chassis. A tracked M548 cargo-carrier, which hauls the ammuni-
tion, carries the rest of the crew. The hull is made of all-welded aluminum and
high-strength steel. The driver sits on the front left side of the hull and the en-
gine is on the driver's right. The main armament is to the rear. Only the driver
is surrounded by armor.
The chassis has five road wheels, with the drive-wheel up front. The fifth road
wheel serves as the idler. The M110 uses a torsion-bar suspension system.
The diesel engine generates 405 horsepower and can travel at a road speed of
34 miles per hour. It has a range of 450 miles.
The main gun can be elevated to 65 degrees and traversed 30 degrees left or
right. A hydraulic rammer loads the ammunition as three separate pieces-fuse,
warhead, and propelling charge. The M110A2 can fire a rocket-assisted pro-
jectile to a distance of 32,800 yards. A large spade is hydraulically lowered into
the earth before the gun opens fire. A manual system backs up the hydraulic
power.
The M110 series fires the complete range of 203mm ammunition in U.S. inven-
tory. This includes chemical, nuclear, high-explosive, rocket-assisted, and con-
ventional munitions.
The U.S. Army currently has over 1,000 M110A2s in inventory. The howitzers
are currently being integrated with Multiple Launch Rocket System batteries.