M108

The M108 was a solid direct fire support weapon.

Designation: M108
Classification Type: 105mm Self-Propelled Gun
Contractor: Cadillac Motor Car Division of General Motors Corp, USA
Country of Origin: United States
Initial Year of Service: 1952

The M108 was an armored, full track-laying vehicle that provided a
self-propelled carriage for a 105mm howitzer. Adequately mobile, the M108
was utilized for direct support of combat teams when employed with armored
personnel carriers and main battle tanks or light tanks.

The M108 was developed about the same time that the M109 Paladin was
developed, utilizing the identical chassis and turret configuration. The
muzzle velocity of the M103 cannon was reported at 1,550 feet per second.
The maximum effective range of the weapon system was 6.5 miles.

The M108 is no longer in service with US Army forces. The Belgium Army uses
a variant for command post detail known as the VBCL with all other M108's
replaced by the M109A2 155mm Paladin Self-Propelled Gun.

Variants:
M108 - Base Model
VBCL - Belgium Command Post Vehicle

Specifications: M108
Dimensions:
Length: 20.08ft (6.12m)
Width:10.79ft (3.29m)
Height: 10.40ft (3.17m)
Performance:
Speed: 35mph (56.3km/h)
Range: 240miles (386km)

Structure:
Accommodation: 5
Weight: 23.4 US Short Tons (21,273kg)
Systems:
NBC Protection: None
Nightvision: Yes - Driver Only
Power:
Engine(s): 1 x GMC Detroit Diesel 8V71T turbocharged V-8 2-stroke
liquid-cooled 8-cylinder 568cu in 425hp diesel engine coupled with a GMC
Allison Div XTG-411-2A cross-drive transverse transmission.

Armament & Ammunition:

1 x 105mm M103 main gun
1 x 12.7mm heavy machine gun
1 x M20A1B1 Rocket launcher
5 x 7.62mm M14 rifles

Ammunition:
87 x 105mm projectiles
500 x 12.7mm ammunition