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Land ForcesUnited States

M109A6 Paladin

155 mm self-propelled howitzerIn serviceFielded 1991Pending verification
Land ForcesUSA
M109A6 Paladin
Photo: U.S. Army · Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
Type155 mm self-propelled howitzer
Date of introduction1991
ProliferationAt least 3 countries
Manufacturerdeveloped by the ground system division of United Defense LP (now BAE Systems Land and Armaments) and manufactured at the Paladin Production Operation centre at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.Med[1]
Crew4Med[1]
Emplacement timeAccording to United Defense, the Paladin can move from road march to firing status in one minute. Response time while in firing position is less than 30 seconds. These reaction times give Paladin a true "shoot-and-scoot" capability. The PalMed[1]
Dimensions and weight
Weight28.85 tMed[1]
Automotive performance
ChassisThe M108 and M109 shared a common chassis (along with the M113 APC), but the M109 was heavier and had a larger gunMed[1]
Engine1 x DDC 8V-71TMed[1]
Engine power440 hpMed[1]
TransmissionAllison ATD-XTG 411-2A (A3) or 411-4 with quick disconnect powershift crossdrive, 4 forward and 2 reverse gearsMed[1]
Cruising range344 km214 mi · 186 nmiMed[1]
Max road speed64 km/h40 mph · 35 ktMed[1]
Fording depth1.07 mMed[1]
SuspensionTorsion bar, 7 road wheels, front drive, rear idler, no return rollers (all models except PIM). An upgraded suspension has longer torsion bars and hydro pneumatic bump stops to handle the greater vehicle weight.Med[1]
Protection
Hull Armor5083 aluminum with composite spall liners and supplemental armor.Med[1]
Turret ArmorThe turret is fitted with Kevlar anti-spall liningMed[1]
Applique ArmorDuPont Kevlar armor has been added to the Paladin, forming an inner lining of the cab, roof and crew compartment sides. Rolled homogeneous steel armor is fitted over the driver's compartment and on the rear of the bustle.Med[1]
NBC ProtectionMCS systemMed[1]
Armament
Elevation-3/+75 deg (-53/+1,333 mils)Med[1]
Rate of fire (max)1 rd/min first hour, 4 rd in first 3 min maxMed[1]
Rate of fire (sustained)2 rpmMed[1]
Main armament1 x M284, 155 mmMed[1]
Secondary armament1 x M2 BrowningMed[1]
Maximum firing range24 km15 mi · 13 nmiThe maximum range of fire is 24 km with standard projectiles and 30 km with rocket-assisted projectiles.Med[1]
Fire control
Fire control systemAlliant Techsystems automatic fire-control system (AFCS).; It has an all weather ballistic shield mounted over the panoramic telescope; counterbalanced travel lock and provisions for mounting the M140 alignment device.Med[1]
Computerized FCSYes, The AFCS has a ballistic computer/weapon controller, power conditioner and an inertial reference navigation systems/dynamic reference unit based on the modular azimuth positioning system (MAPS) using ring laser gyro on-board land navigMed[1]
Main Gun StabilizationYesMed[1]
Variants
M109First produced in 1963. It had a 23 caliber 155 mm M126 gun in an M127 Howitzer Mount, and carried 28 rounds of 155 mm ammunition. It was also armed with a .50cal M2HB machine gun with 500 rounds of ammunition. Easily id[1]
M109A1Replaced the M126 gun with a longer barreled, 39 caliber M185 gun, increasing maximum range to 18,100 meters.[1]
M109A2Incorporated 27 Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability (RAM) mid-life improvements. Most notably, the long barreled 155 mm M185 cannon in the new M178 gun mount, ballistic protection for the panoramic telescope, [1]
M109A3 and M109A3BM109A1s and M109A1Bs rebuilt to M109A2 standard respectively. Some A3s feature three contact arm assemblies, while all A2s have five.[1]
M109A4M109A2s and M109A3s improved with Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical / Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability (NBC/RAM) improvements, including air purifiers, heaters, and Mission Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP[1]
M109A5Replaces the 155 mm M185 cannon in an M178 mount with a 39-caliber 155 mm M284 cannon in an M182 mount, giving the A5 a maximum range of 22,000 meters with unassisted projectiles and 30,000 meters with Rocket Assisted Pr[1]
Weapons and payload options · 3Confidence · Source
HERA155 mm ammunition
Med[1]
Quantity
39 rounds including 2 Copperhead
Copperhead155 mm ammunition
Med[1]
Quantity
39 rounds including 2 Copperhead
DPICM155 mm ammunition
Med[1]
Quantity
39 rounds including 2 Copperhead
Summary

The M109A6 Paladin American 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) is a further upgrade of the M109 self-propelled howitzer, which was introduced in the early 1960s. This M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzer entered service with the US Army in 1991.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
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Operators
Saudi ArabiaUnited States
Sources
  1. M109A6 Paladin American 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH), U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
    Published/updated 2026-03-20 · Tier 1 · checked 2026-10-10
Change log
  • 2026-10-04 Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
  • 2026-10-05 Added photo (Public domain)