Lightweight howitzer proves a hit with troops

[unhappycamper]

Triple seven
Lighter artillery weapon shoots 40 km.


Lightweight howitzer proves a hit with troops
By Trista Talton - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Dec 14, 2007 9:47:07 EST

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — A “triple seven” in Las Vegas usually means you’ve hit the mother lode.

In the Iraqi desert, a world away from the bright lights of Sin City, triple seven has a whole new meaning for Sierra Battery, 5th Battalion, 10th Marines.

The M777A2 Lightweight 155mm Howitzer pinpoints targets with an accuracy that helps Marines do a little less rolling of the dice when they fire.

The triple seven can fire the first-of-its-kind Raytheon XM982 Excalibur Global Positioning System-guided projectile, which gives the howitzer a range of up to 40 kilometers with an accuracy on target within 10 meters. It also has a digital fire-control system, making it more accurate even with standard projectiles.

“This is the lightest and most compact artillery weapon of its kind, designed to improve mobility, accuracy and sustainability,” Gunnery Sgt. Michael Hamby, Sierra Battery gunnery sergeant, wrote in an e-mail. “Currently, there is no equal to the M777A2 on the battlefield. Our young Marines have adjusted to the weapon system very easily and continue to contribute future tactics, techniques and procedures with the new capabilities this weapon system offers to both ground maneuver forces and combined-arms operations.”


Rest of article at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2007/12/marine_howitzer_071214/



uhc comment: The manufacturer for this new toy is BAE.

[RC]

1. Why do we need all these new high tech war toys?

Give peace a chance. It works for other countries, why not us, U.S.?
Only where we meddle or have meddled in the past are there problems.

[The_Casual_Observer]

2. And how would this stupid thing "prevent another 9/11" ?

They insist on building/buying WWII style weaponry good only for massive ground invasions. I wonder what the plan for this is?