NLOS-C (M109 replacement) production begins

**Rick DeBay** · 21 Dec 07,, 17:55

Do any artillery crewmen (past or present) have any comments on the M109 replacement?
Only two crew members instead of five, lighter, and with a hybrid drive train (if they can get it all to work).

**Gun Grape** · 22 Dec 07,, 23:03

Originally Posted by Rick DeBay

Do any artillery crewmen (past or present) have any comments on the M109 replacement?
Only two crew members instead of five, lighter, and with a hybrid drive train (if they can get it all to work).

Well, its not in production yet. I'll hold judgment until they get the thing figured out, final specs decided and have it up and shooting.

**omon** · 22 Dec 07,, 23:09

is that the one that can shot few rounds at a different angle, and they all fall at the same time, on the same target?

S2 · 22 Dec 07,, 23:27

MRSI (multiple round simultaneous impact).

Fancy name for hi-los.

They're taking all the fun out of shooting.

**Rick DeBay** · 23 Dec 07,, 04:09

Originally Posted by Gun Grape

Well, its not in production yet.

An initial production run of eighteen guns was ordered, in order to meet a congressional requirement of deployment by 2008. Estimates of actual deployment is 2010 or 2011. Production of the final design may begin in 2009.

Is the reason that this is only a 38 caliber gun, because it needs to be transported in a C-130?

S2 · 23 Dec 07,, 04:28

Think you're saving 2 tons for a trade-off of 4km max range. That's a lot of ammunition per tube.

**Gun Grape** · 23 Dec 07,, 04:30

Originally Posted by Rick DeBay

An initial production run of eighteen guns was ordered, in order to meet a congressional requirement of deployment by 2008. Estimates of actual deployment is 2010 or 2011. Production of the final design may begin in 2009.

Is the reason that this is only a 38 caliber gun, because it needs to be transported in a C-130?

No. Those are preproduction models. The final gun hasn't been decided on yet
but its suppose to be half the weight of the 777. These are EMD guns for testing
and figuring the plant layout.

The full rate production decision isn't scheduled to be made until 2013

38 cal not only for C-130 but all our log transport methods. The longer tubes waste space.

**BD1** · 23 Dec 07,, 08:59

if rest of the world goes to 52 -cal. , range 40-56km., why has this one 38-cal. and what range has it ?

**Gun Grape** · 23 Dec 07,, 14:41

Originally Posted by braindead

if rest of the world goes to 52 -cal. , range 40-56km., why has this one 38-cal. and what range has it ?

Max range with assisted rounds around 40Km.

Max standard rounds 30Km.

Aside from the logistical problems associated with moving the longer tubed howitzer around the world, the US really doesn't need the range it would get from the longer tube. 16Km isn't worth the trade offs.

Other countries need the longer range because of how they fight and the limited options that they have. Everyone doesn't have the deep pockets that the US has.

**HistoricalDavid** · 23 Dec 07,, 16:50

Greater emphasis on airpower right?

S2 · 23 Dec 07,, 17:41

We're hoping the fight is elsewhere than America. We're willing to travel. We don't mind always being the visiting team but, even with us, there are trade-offs.

Our networks allow us some unique advantages to target and mass artillery fires that mitigate issues of range inadequacy. So does the lethality of our munitions and the survivability of our firing units.

We've fought out-ranged unimpeded for ages.