Well the timing works in getting this to it's home page if you will from last patch (The Aussies have it now-Thanks Don.) and helping a learned colleague out here at the same time. Seems the
M777 155mm needs some clarification concerning the USMC and the USA.
1. The term M777 is only
generic to the system in general.
It is an Army run program. The system in reality needs to be thought of as the
M777A1 and the
M777A2. The M777 should be considered probably the best and most advanced LW (Or other.) towed 155mm out there. Also of note the
crew size is 8 with a minimum of five that can still maintain an ROF of I believe it was 2 Rounds per minute.
What made the
M777A1 so advanced was the mounted onboard "black boxes" you'll clearly see on the left side of the barrel in the picture below. It's a FCS that's GPS based with a very advanced C4 package that's fully satellite supported and allows for targeting data from ground/air and satellites. For the
M777A1 I would recommend the following dates at this point for both services.
The USA 10/2006 - 12/2008/USMC 06/2005 - 12/2008. I based the end date on the following data; of the
495 systems ordered by both services
400 M777A1 systems were upgraded by 08/2008. For the last 95 systems this is WELL within the "swag" of six months that Don and I have had to use on rare occasions when no good hard dates are available.
To prevent any heart attacks out there; it was identified that the need was greatest for the CORPS in updating their
M198 155mm pieces first as one of the considerations involved in who got it first.
Concerning the
M777A2 the difference here is that with the development of advanced precision guided munitions that which ended up to be the
EXCALIBUR precision guided round (That was used extensively in Afghanistan from March 2008 by both services.) the software package needed to be upgraded which improved also all the features noted for the M777A1 suite. This also included some minor hardware upgrades as well. This is what "makes" and allows the
M777A2 to fire these type of advanced rounds. Full material release for both services occurred in
07/2007 and allowing for initial installation, I would recommend the following dates at this point for both services.
The USA/USMC 10/2007 - 12/2020. I would recommend reading the PM 4 info below as it ties in with this discussion in greater detail on system equipment components.
http://www.army-technology.com/projects/ufh/
http://www.defenseinnovationmarketpl...ograms2013.pdf
Section 4 FIRE SUPPORT PAGE 101/ALSO SEE PAGES 67-75 FOR OTHER INFO OF USE.
For the CORPS:
Bottomline: USA/USMA are all in on the
M777A2. ADF info below makes for good reading as well.
PM4. AUSTRALIA/ADD/JUL 2011/C8/M777A2 155mm w/Rockwell FIRESTORM DTCS/AMMO XM1156 GPS FUZE KITS (EXCALIBUR) and DIEHL/RHEINMETALL SMArt 155 AT Rds//
This much like the LAND 106 (M113AS3/4) the LAND 17 (Artillery Replacement Program) was also plagued by numerous delays. The purpose of the program was to retire the 105mm M2A2, L119 HAMEL 105mm FG and M198 155mm (Addressed below). This weapon is considered in the “ultra-light weight” category. The A2 is the newest version of the piece.
Also the system is so user friendly that it can be operated by a crew of 5 though, as noted above 8 is the standard crew for all users of the M777. The
FIRESTORM DTCS (Digital Terminal Control System) will allow for instant targeting coordination that will include a tablet PC, a laser range finder, a laser target designator, a real-time video downlink receiver, a manpack radio, and the firm’s Defense Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR).
Both the USA and USMC have already been equipped with the FIRESTORM DTCS package for their M777 pieces. It should be pointed out at this juncture that there are only two versions of the M777 as taken from Ref 1 as follows; “The systems fitted with the digital fire control system are designated M777A1, and those with the software update which allows the firing of the Excalibur projectile, M777A2. M777A2 received full material release in July 2007, clearing the upgrade for fielding. All M777A1 systems will be upgraded to the A2 standard.” This is in reference the U.S. so changes need to be made to both the USA and USMC OOB’s (Ref 2) and possibly Canada as well. The ADF site (Ref 1) no longer shows any other artillery being used in active service. The LAND 17 Phase 2 (Or 1C.) part of the program was also delayed and finally cut due to budget issues in May 2012. This program was to chose an SPA option for the ADF. The Australian 105mm has been retired, the L119 HAMEL 105mm has a battery on active service at their Artillery School and there are indications they along with the M198 155mm are in service with the Australian reserve forces. I have feelers out for information in Australia at this time so this and the above issues can wait until next year.
http://www.army.gov.au/Our-work/Equi.../M777-Howitzer
http://www.army-technology.com/projects/ufh/
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/...goahead-01928/
http://www.armyrecognition.com/june_...s_0606122.html
http://www.armyrecognition.com/octob...2_1610122.html
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/...tillery-03911/
http://www.military-today.com/trucks/mack_mc3.htm
Refer to the #15 Australian OOB Queries Thread by TDR for further info if desired in Posts 6, 12 and 15.
Pics for Game UNIT Picture from ADF files:
Some of us have to get our beauty sleep before work (Sorry forgot there's not enough time in the Universe to help me with that
!!!!) so good night.
Regards,
Pat