Function: Provides field artillery fire support for all Marine Corps Air Ground Task Force organizations.







Description: The M198 Medium Towed Howitzer is a 155mm field artillery howitzer. It is constructed of aluminum and steel, and is air transportable by CH-53E helicopter, and C-130 or larger fixed-wing aircraft. The M198 provides increased range, and improved reliability and maintainability over the former standard towed 155mm howitzer, the M114A2. The use of rocket-assisted projectiles significantly extends the range, lethality, and counterbattery fires of the direct support artillery battalions. The M198 fires all current and developmental 155mm ammunition.







Background: The first 10 M198 Howitzers were delivered to the 10th Marine Regiment in January 1982.





General Characteristics, M198 155mm Medium Howitzer, Towed





Manufacturer:

Rock Island





Contractor:

AMCCOM





Length:

In tow: 40 feet, 6 inches (12.30 meters)



Firing: 36 feet, 2 inches (11.01 meters)





Width in Tow:

9 feet, 2 inches (2.79 meters)





Height in Tow:

9 feet, 6 inches (2.89 meters)





Weight:

15,758 pounds (7.154 kilograms)







Bore Diameter:

155mm





Maximum Effective Range:

Conventional ammunition: 22,400 meters (13.92 miles)



Rocket-assisted projectile: 30,000 meters (18.64 miles)





Rates of Fire:

Maximum: 4 rounds per minute

Sustained: 2 rounds per minute





Crew:

Nine enlisted





Unit Replacement Cost:

$527,337