M114 155mm (155mm Howitzer M1)

History

Prior to the deployment of the M198 howitzer in 1979, the US military (and many of its allies) relied on the WWII M114 towed howitzer for its long-range 155mm artillery needs. The weapon served in the Korean War (1950-1953) and Vietnam War campaigns (1955-1975) before being officially retired from the U.S. Armed Forces.

Design work on the weapon began in 1939 and continued until 1941, when the system underwent the necessary tests before it could be put into service. Production spanned from 1941 to 1953, by which time approximately 10,300 units were eventually produced at Rock Island Arsenal in the United States, and licensed elsewhere. Today (2013) the M114 is still in service with some militaries.

Notable operators include Afghanistan, Argentina, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, South Korea, Lebanon, Pakistan, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Venezuela, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia. Previously notable operators are Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Libya, Norway, Netherlands, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Spain (see operator list below for full list ).

The origin of the M114 was actually an initiative by the US Army to design and develop a modern delivery system for its aging 155mm M1918 cannon. The M1918 is nothing more than a replica of the French WWI-era Schneider system Canon de 155 C modele 1917 that was procured in large quantities by the US military. When it was decided not to modernize the old M1918 gun in this way, a new gun system was developed as the M1.

The carriage became split, and the artillery was connected to a hydropneumatic recoil system. The breech contains a two-stage "slow cone" interrupting screw. The gun mount allows elevation angles from -2 to +63 degrees and movement 25 degrees to the right or left. The gun entered production as the 155mm M1 howitzer.

It was not until 1962 that the now modified M1A1 was renamed the M114/M114A1.

The M114 is classified as a "medium" gun and is traditional in its overall design and function. The weapon is based on a 155mm barrel (M1 or M1A1 series) mounted on a bracket that also supports the recoil mechanism required by the M6 ??series. The barrel does not have any kind of muzzle brake.

The split trailer (M1A1 or M1A2 series) is transported closed and opened to assist firing. The car also contained a single axle with twin tires, steel rims and rubber wheels. The system is typically operated by up to 11 personnel, including unit commanders, gunners and ammunition handlers. Dimensions include a barrel that is 24 feet long, 8 feet wide and nearly 6 feet high.

Total weight is 12,500 lbs. Trained staff can store (ready to fire) the unit within 5 minutes.

The bread and butter of the M114 is its 155mm grenade, which comes in the following flavors: High Explosive, Chemical, Lighting, and Smoke. Ammunition supply is limited only by the ammunition carrier.

Each type is used according to battlefield requirements, the M114 is generally an indirect fire weapon (no line of sight) designed to drop shells at enemy positions. High-explosive, chemical, and smoke bombs have a muzzle velocity of about 1,850 feet per second, while flares have a lower rate of fire of 1,160 feet per second. High-explosive and chemical bombs also managed a longer attack range of up to 16,355 yards. Smoke grenades have a range of 9,700 yards and flares have a maximum range of 7,100 yards. Well-trained rifle crews can fire at 40 rounds per minute.

Each projectile contains a bag charge.

Over its long career, the M114 has performed exceptionally well in its given combat role. Active in multiple world armies as of this writing (2013), it is a testament to its excellent engineering and conventional design.

Given its history, the M114 should continue to serve anywhere in the world for decades to come.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

for everyone else in our database)

Armor

Depends on the ammunition carrier. HE, Smoke, Chemical, Lighting and Training Wheels are available.

Changes