M777 howitzer

M777 Lightweight Towed Howitzer
US Marine gunners test fire an M777 howitzer
TypeTowed howitzer
Place of originUnited Kingdom
Service history
In service2005–present
Used bySee Operators
Wars
Production history
DesignerVickers Shipbuilding and Engineering
Designed1987–2003
ManufacturerBAE Systems
Produced1987–present
Specifications
Mass4,200 kg (9,300 lb)[6]
Length
  • Combat: 10.7 m (35 ft)
  • Travel: 9.5 m (31 ft)
Barrel length5.08 m (16.7 ft) L/39
Crew7+1
ShellM107, M549, M712 Copperhead, M795, ERFB, M982
Caliber155 mm (6.1 in)[7]
CarriageSplit trail
Elevation0° to +71.7°[8]
Rate of fire
  • Normal: 2-4 rpm
  • Maximum: 8 rpm for no longer than 2 minutes
Muzzle velocityCharge 8S: 827 m/s (2,710 ft/s)
Effective firing range

The M777 howitzer is a British towed 155 mm artillery piece in the howitzer class. It is used by the ground forces of Australia, Canada, Colombia, India, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, and the United States. It was first used in combat during the War in Afghanistan.

The M777 is manufactured by BAE Systems' Global Combat Systems division. Prime contract management is based in Barrow-in-Furness, UK as well as manufacture and assembly of the titanium structures and associated recoil components. Final integration and testing of the weapon is undertaken at BAE's facility in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, US.[10] Depending on the year, contract and systems package, the M777 has been exported for individual unit costs including US$2.025 million (in 2008) and $3.738 million (in 2017).[11][12]

  1. ^ "Artillery fire in Afghanistan (Pech river Valley) Taliban running scared!". YouTube. Archived from the original on 11 January 2017. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  2. ^ "Rain Or Shine: Task Force Strike Artillerymen support Mosul counter-offensive". CENTCOM.
  3. ^ "CENTCOM forces engage militants in northeast Syria" (Press release). CENTCOM.
  4. ^ "Yemen War 2015 - Saudi Arabian Artillery Fired At Houthi Rebels In Northern Yemen". WarLeaks. 14 April 2015. Archived from the original on 21 April 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2017 – via YouTube. Alleged footage of an Saudi Arabian artillery launch on Houthi rebel positions in Northern Yemen.
  5. ^ "Canada delivers M777 howitzers to Ukraine". Ukrinform. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  6. ^ U.S. Upgrades and Orders More Lightweight BAE Systems Howitzers, BAE Systems, archived from the original on 10 July 2015, retrieved 9 July 2015
  7. ^ "M777 Lightweight Towed 155mm Howitzer". BAE Systems.
  8. ^ Pike, John. "M777 Lightweight 155mm howitzer (LW155)". Global security. Archived from the original on 4 November 2014. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
  9. ^ "Excalibur Projectile". What we do. Raytheon missiles & defense.
  10. ^ "U.S. Upgrades and Orders More Lightweight BAE Systems Howitzers" (Press release). USA: BAE Systems. 5 September 2011. Archived from the original on 21 April 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  11. ^ "CAST TITANIUM CUTS COST OF M777 LIGHTWEIGHT HOWITZER". Advanced Materials & Processes. Archived from the original on 21 June 2022. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  12. ^ "Indian Army receives K9 Vajra and M777 howitzer weapon systems". 9 November 2018.