M777 Howitzer Booms at Pendleton

**Y W F** · 12 Aug 05,, 17:05

M777 Howitzer Booms at Pendleton
Fri, 12 Aug 2005, 09:22

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON: Earthquakes aren't the only things rumbling in southern California. 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, is breaking sound barriers with the M777 Howitzer-and for the first time, firing it at Camp Pendleton.

The artillery unit manned the cannon Tuesday to get familiar with the weapon that could be the future for artillery. “It should be the weapon of choice for the 21st century,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Joseph M. Steet, battalion survey officer. dt

More importantly, the battalion is gearing up for Iraq with the newly fielded weapon system. Positioned north of Las Flores, the remote field was sure to give the Marines plenty of practice space.

full article
http://www.defencetalk.com/news/publ...cle_002939.php

**SloMax** · 12 Aug 05,, 19:20

Are the M777 howitzers made for the USMC built in UK or US?

**Bill** · 12 Aug 05,, 19:32

There's something super cool about a titanium towed gun.

**longcat** · 12 Aug 05,, 23:45

is the army gonna get this gun?

**JCT** · 13 Aug 05,, 03:21

I wonder if that's what I've been hearing all day.....

**Wraith601** · 13 Aug 05,, 04:39

Originally Posted by SnakePlisken

is the army gonna get this gun?

It should replace the M198 in light infantry and Stryker units and all M198s in USMC service.

**metalbeast** · 19 Sep 05,, 09:13

M777 for one thing is much lighter than the M198. M777 weighs about 9,200 pounds, the M198 15,000 pounds. Big difference in weight. Just think of the D-30 weighing over 3.2 tons (over 6,000 pounds) for a 121.92mm (4.8 inch) howitzer. Not bad for a modern 155mm howitzer. Not sure about range and rate of fire. Guess it would be comparable to the cumbersome M198. However I think the M777 might have some reliability problems due to it's light design. Seems like the marines casted a much more of a interest in this howitzer than other branches of the US military, simply because marines are always looking to be mobile as a amphious force. Time will tell. With this new light design do you think it would be possible to create a amphibious 155mm self-propelled howitzer. Now that would be cool. A 155mm SP howie capable of swimming rough seas. Be good for marines don't you think?