M109 Paladin

Background
The M109 is an American-made self-propelled 155 mm howitzer, first introduced in the early 1960s. It has been continually upgraded and improved to today's current version, the M109A6 Paladin, currently only used by the United States Army. The U.S. still maintains a number of M109A5s in its forces. The M109 family is the most prevalent Western indirect-fire support weapon of maneuver brigades of armored and mechanized infantry divisions.

The British Army has replaced its M109s with the AS-90. Several European armed forces have or are currently replacing older M109s with the German PzH2000, which significantly outperforms the M109 in many aspects. Significant upgrades to the M109 have been introduced by the U.S. (see variants below) and in Switzerland (KAWEST). With the cancellation of the Crusader program in the U.S., the Paladin will remain the principal self-propelled howitzer for the U.S. military a few more years, until the NLOS-C from the U.S. Army's Future Combat Systems program comes online in 2008-2010.

The crew of the M109 consists of a section chief, driver, three gunners who prepare the ammunition, load, and fire the weapon, and two gunners who aim the cannon. The gunner aims the cannon left or right (deflection), the assistant gunner aims the cannon up and down (quadrant). The M109A6 Paladin needs only one gunner and two ammunition handlers for a total crew of six.

A mobile artillery piece for attacking enemy targets from a distance of 24-30 km, this 155 mm gun can fire off 3 shots in 15 seconds (8 shots a minute). The unit loads and shoots automatically. The crew uses optical sights to fix the targets.

Involvement
The M109 Paladin is the primary artillery unit for the US. It is capable of delivering potent conventional rounds at extreme ranges, making it the ideal unit for taking down buildings.

Strategy
Despite its enormous range, its line of site is pathetic, and thus, can be easily ambushed. Its shell delay time usually offers enough time for units to get away. At short range, the paladin is unable to fire, rendering it useless in melee combat.

Quotes
"Readeh"

Trivia
The Paladin is able to take down most units in only one shot.