The heavy artillery of choice

When the big guns are needed, the call goes out for artillery. And those targeted by that artillery should rightly fear when the 155 MM Howitzer answers that call. One of the top artillery pieces of all time, its origin goes back about 100 years. Used by a host of countries around the world, it has seen action with U.S. forces in WWII, the Korean War, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and just about everything in between. It is currently seeing heavy action in Ukraine and the Middle East.

This versatile weapon can be used in a number of configurations to meet the mission. It can be towed or self-propelled. There is even an ultra-light version for easier transport, especially by air. But what makes it so effective is the 155 MM round which it fires. The shell itself weighs about 100 pounds and has a standard range of about 15 miles, but with technical advances in ammunition, that can be pushed out to 20+ miles. There is even a rocket- assisted round, to give the piece an extra push. Depending on the competence of the crew operating the gun, known as “Redlegs” and “Cannon Cockers,” accuracy can be practically pinpoint. And in recent years, the U.S. has developed a GPS system that can be incorporated into the round. This is especially useful in delivering close fire support in the vicinity of friendly forces, where an error in calculating coordinates could result in casualties to your own troops. Use of the GPS-guided round has also become in great demand in heavily populated areas, where the quarters are close, and pinpoint accuracy is imperative to avoid needless civilian casualties.

So how effective is the weapon? After serving through every major, and most minor conflicts in the 20th and 21st centuries, the 155 MM is still one of the most extensively used artillery platforms on the world scene today.  It can be used to destroy tanks, and a variety of other armored vehicles. Loaded with fragmentation rounds it can be used as an anti-personnel capacity. Under development is a 155 MM Anti-Aircraft System, designed to shoot down enemy drones and missiles. It can destroy enemy fortifications and bunkers. And as we’ve seen in Ukraine and Gaza, it can lay waste to cities. This weapon will continue to serve its masters for many years to come.