Photo By Jason Ragucci | Sgt Zach Hazelbaker, a gunner from C Btry 2/3 FA Regt., makes corrections before...... read more read more
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EL PASO, Texas -- The 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, fired their M198 howitzer cannon for the first time at a Fort Bliss range, Nov. 16.
The “Gunners” prepared for the two day field exercise by passing a certification requirement. Both fire direction center and the gun line met the requirements to shoot the 155 mm high-explosive projectiles.
“My job consists of getting the gun safe by sighting on the safety circle and pointing in the right direction to fire,” said Sgt. Zach Hazelbaker, a gunner from the battalion’s C Battery. “When a fire mission comes down, I will be able to use multiple sighting references to aim the gun for fire to hit the target.” A high-explosive projectile consists of material packed into a thick, internally scored shell that causes a large blast and delivers razor-sharp fragments at high velocities – 5,000 to 6,000 meters per second. The kill zone is approximately a radius of 50 meters, while the casualty radius is 100 meters. “My job is the number one man,” said Pfc. Andrew Graham from C Btry. “First, I use the rammer to ram the round in the chamber, then I place the gun powder inside, ensuring the red portion is facing me. I close the chamber door, ensuring the white witness marks make a solid line. Finally, I place a primer which ignites the powder, which shoots the round downrange as I pull the lanyard.”
The M198 weighs less than 16,000 pounds, allowing it to be dropped by parachute or transported by a CH-47 Chinook helicopter. The M198 is a towed howitzer that is transported trail first, with the cannon resting above the weapon’s wheels. When firing, the weapon is lowered onto its base plate – rather than being anchored to the ground – allowing for rapid emplacement. The M198 fires non-fixed ammunition and can be loaded with a variety of propellants and projectiles. The effective range is 18,100 meters when firing standard projectiles and it increases to 30,000 meters when firing rocket-assisted projectiles. With the 52- caliber modification, the range can surpass 40,000 meters. The weapon system requires a crew of 11 and is capable of firing at a maximum rate of four rounds per minute, and two sustained.
| Date Taken: | 11.16.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 11.28.2011 16:43 |
| Story ID: | 80634 |
| Location: | EL PASO, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 508 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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