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The M109 Family of Vehicles (FOV) 155-millimeter / 39-caliber Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) provides the primary indirect fire support for full spectrum operations. It has the ability to support Armored Brigade Combat Teams, Infantry Brigade Combat Teams, and Stryker Brigade Combat Teams. The M109 FOV Carrier Ammunition Tracked (CAT) provides armored ammunition supply support to the SPH operating in support of full spectrum operations. The M109A6 Paladin and the M992A2 Field Artillery Ammunition Support Vehicle (FAASV) are the currently fielded versions of the Army's SPH and CAT. The Paladin Integrated Management (PIM) SPH and CAT will replace the M109A6 Paladin and M992A2 FAASV. The PIM program allows growth for improved force protection and technology insertion. PIM buys-back lost performance in the M109 FOV by addressing size, weight, and power issues. The program helps to ensure greater vehicle supportability, maintainability, and interoperability by leveraging fleet commonality for key components, replacing aging and obsolete components, and leveraging Bradley and Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon technology., Selected Acquisition Report-SAR. The original document contains color images.

The Excalibur Precision 155-millimeter (mm) projectiles (Excalibur) program provides the Brigade Combat Teams with an organic precision fires capability. Additionally, it provides improved fire support capability due to its increased range of 37.5-kilometers and demonstrated accuracy of less than four-meters radial miss distance, which enables a first round effect on target reducing the number of rounds required while reducing collateral damage. Excalibur is compatible with the M777A2 Lightweight 155-mm Howitzer, the M109A6 Paladin Howitzer, and the M109A7 Paladin Integrated Management Howitzer. Excalibur provides a 33-percent range increase over current Rocket Assisted Projectiles with a less than ten meter circular error probable requirement at all ranges. Excalibur is also highly resistant to Global Positioning System jamming. This item is Code A, approved for Service use., Selected Acquisition Report-SAR. The original document contains color images.

The objective of this initiative is to conduct a parametric study to quantify the improvements that will make smart projectiles compatible with the M119 system. The improvements can be conducted on, but not limited to, the platform, projectile designs and propellant. Projectile prototype metal parts will be fabricated and producibility will be evaluated and improved. The 105mm artillery platform M119A2 have shown deficiencies in meeting requirements set forth by various smart munitions design envelopes. The need to achieve improved accuracies by means of guidance systems has added mass to the complementary projectiles. The increased launch mass have increased operational stress levels on the weapon platform.

The objective of this initiative is to provide support for software development which includes software coding, Software Document Review and Updates, Software Requirements review and generation, participation in Integrated Product Development Team (IPT) meetings, System Integration Testing and equipment support, and Technical Reviews. SUBSYSTEMs shall provide all personnel, facilities, equipment, supplies and materials needed to accomplish the work under this contract for work performed at sites other than Picatinny Arsenal. RDECOM ARDEC, in support of the PM Joint Lightweight 155, has been tasked to develop and maintain the Digital Fire Control Systems (DFCS) for the M119A2 and M777A2. The DFCS is a fully integrated digital fire control system that has weapon platform application to the Lightweight 155 mm (LW155) Towed Howitzer and the M119A2 Lightweight 105mm Towed Howitzer., The original document contains color images.

Throughout the previous decade, the Army has experienced a number of spectacular setbacks due to cancellations of its highly visible, high-dollar weapon systems. In 2002, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld cancelled the Crusader program, the Army's next-generation self-propelled artillery system. A mere two years later in 2004, the Army cancelled the Comanche helicopter program, its largest aviation program, whose sophisticated detection and navigation systems were designed for armed scout missions at night and in all-weather conditions. Most recently in 2009, the Defense Department made the decision to effectively cancel the Future Combat Systems program and drastically restructure the Army's most ambitious modernization program introduced over a decade ago by then Chief of Staff of the Army, General Eric Shinseki. Prior to their demise, these programs collectively invested over $30 billion without delivering their promised capabilities. Within the context of the new fiscal reality facing our nation, the Army simply cannot afford to repeat these costly missteps. The objective of this civilian research paper is to analyze the previously published reports and findings on these program failures and garner meaningful lessons for the Army., Civilian Research Project.

The Spectral and Polarimetric Imagery Collection Experiment (SPICE) is a collaborative effort between the U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) and the U.S. Army Research Laboratory that is focused on the collection of mid-wave and long-wave infrared imagery using hyperspectral, polarimetric, and broadband sensors. The objective of the program is to collect a comprehensive database of the different modalities over the course of 1 to 2 yrs to capture sensor performance over a wide variety of adverse weather conditions, diurnal, and seasonal changes inherent to ARDEC's northern New Jersey location. Using the Precision Armaments Laboratory tower at ARDEC, the sensors will autonomously collect the desired data around the clock at different ranges where surrogate 2S3 self-propelled howitzer targets will be positioned at different viewing perspectives in an open field at 549 and 1280 m from the sensor location. As a result, this database will allow for (1) evaluation of hyperspectral and polarimetric technologies, (2) development of new sensors, (3) development of robust algorithms, (4) understanding of signature variability under the different weather conditions, and (5) evaluation of fusing the different sensor modalities. In this report, we will present the SPICE data collection objectives, the ongoing effort, the sensors that are currently deployed, and how this work will assist researches on the development and evaluation of sensors, algorithm, and fusion applications.

The M119 howitzer is the current fielded 105-mm artillery weapon. It is undergoing upgrades to the fire control system in which they will be adding new components and brackets to the existing system. Finite element analysis (FEA) was performed to determine the stress contours along the side of the saddle (a subsystem of the howitzer) in regions where holes will be added for fire control brackets. The FEA results were validated by strain gauge data from live fire test and provided the needed insight for verifying the hole locations.

The long-standing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have prompted U.S. Army leaders to alter the ways that units are made ready to fight. Following the 2006 Army Force Generation (ARFORGEN) model, readiness is built over time as units progress through a three-part cycle of unit training, unit deployment, and recovery and individual training. Although early steps have been taken to equip units according to this new management structure, further changes in equipping policies are needed as DoD budgets continue to tighten and the wars begin to wind down. A recent RAND Arroyo Center study sought to help the Army meet new equipping challenges by constructing a fast-running analytic model to simulate the deployment of units and the allocation of equipment to units according to the new ARFORGEN cycle. From the model, Arroyo researchers were able to determine whether equipment levels could be reduced at any point in the rotational management cycle while not hindering the Army's ability to conduct critical operations and meet goals. Key findings: long-term commitments to Iraq and Afghanistan have caused the Army to employ a rotational strategy for its units, however, it still provides units with all their equipment, even though some have years between deployments; a rotational equipping strategy reduces the amount of equipment units have in the early phases of the ARFORGEN cycle, thus enabling reductions in overall equipment authorizations; and such a strategy could reduce costs by $5-$10 billion from FY 12 and beyond., This research brief describes work done by RAND Arroyo Center and documented in Efficiencies from Applying a Rotational Equipping Strategy, by Christopher G. Pernin, Edward Wu, Aaron Martin, Gregory Midgette, and Brendan See (MG-1092-A, 2011, 84 pp).

George Doll standing in military uniform, with a rifle strapped over is shoulder. In the background is a howitzer, two soldiers, and a sandbag covered bunker., Acetate negatives; Safety film negatives, 35 mm, "Section Chief in charge of a 155mm howitzer and its eight-man crew is S/Sgt. George Doll of Mandan, N.D." - caption with image published in The Forum, April 21, 1966, p. 14., Title supplied by staff.

Kenneth Geiger peering through the scope of a 105-mm howitzer., Acetate negatives; Safety film negatives, 35 mm, "Assistant gunner with a 105-mm howitzer crew is Cpl. Kenneth Geiger of Cavalier, N.D." - caption with image published in The Forum, April 21, 1966, p. 14., Title supplied by staff.

Marine artillery is too heavy and lacks the mobility and flexibility to maintain momentum with supported light maneuver units; Artillery must match the mobility of maneuver in order to accomplish its mission. The Expeditionary Fire Support System with the M327 120mm rifled mortar needs to replace the M777 155mm towed howitzer system in direct support artillery battalions of the Marine Corps in order to increase mobility and bridge the growing gap between artillery and infantry. The bottom line is that mobility in the complex and hybrid nature of wars the United States finds itself in today trumps firepower. Simply stated, the Marine Corps can not afford to invest too much on heavy artillery systems that struggle to make it to the battlefield in time to be decisive. Marine artillery is hampered by a lack of light direct support artillery battalions. It struggles to maintain momentum with supported light maneuver units in high tempo expeditionary operations. Marine artillery needs to return to fielding both light direct support and medium to heavy general support artillery battalions to remain relevant in future operations called for in Marine Corps Vision and Strategy 2025.

Military live-fire training missions utilizing mortars and howitzers frequently generate excess propellant charges. Disposal of this propellant is often done on-site and is referred to as expedient disposal. Investigations into energetics residues resulting from expedient disposal of propellants began in 2002 with the collection of residues inside and outside a propellant burn structure. These residues contained very high concentrations of 2,4-Dinitrotoluene, an indication that the burning process was not complete. Other informal tests were conducted, indicating the same results. In 2006 and 2008, a series of tests were conducted on snow using propellants from various mortar cartridges. In one test, 10 charges of mortar propellant were burned on snow and the residues collected and analyzed. Over 15% of the original nitroglycerin content was recovered. In 2008, two series of tests were conducted, one involving winter disposal of mortar propellants, the other summer disposal of howitzer propellants. These tests, conducted under controlled conditions, indicate that the environmental setting and climatic conditions can influence the efficiency of expedient propellant disposal by three orders of magnitude., Sponsored in part by USAG-AK.

Military training with howitzers and mortars produces excess propellant that is burned on the training range and can result in point sources containing high concentrations of unreacted propellant constituents. Propellants contain energetic compounds such as nitroglycerin (NG) and 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT), both of which are found at firing positions and propellant disposal areas. To quantify the mass of residue remaining from the field-expedient disposal of propellants, two mortar propellants and one howitzer propellant were burned under different field conditions. These conditions included burning on a snow pack, at the bottom of a snow pit, and in a pan surrounded by snow for the mortar propellants and on dry and wet sand for the howitzer propellant. For the mortar propellant, the energetics (NG) remaining after burning in the bowl, on frozen ground, and on snow were 0.21%, 5.2% and 18%, respectively. For the howitzer propellant, the difference in energetics (2,4-DNT) remaining after disposal on wet and dry sand was <0.1%, with the overall residue rate of around 1%, similar to that for the mortar propellant burned in an open container. These tests demonstrate that environmental factors, especially in winter, can play a significant role in the effectiveness of field-expedient disposal of propellants., Published in Jnl. of Hazardous Materials, v173 p115-122, 2010. ISSN: 0304-3894.

This report describes a thermal analysis for a power conditioning unit for the M119 A1 howitzer. The analysis includes conduction, convection, and radiation as described by the Army's rigorous environmental standards. The analysis was completed using computational fluid dynamics in the STAR-CCM+ software package. The analysis estimated the maximum temperature of various components. Most components are predicted to exceed their allowable operating temperature. Some components are predicted to fail with conduction alone. A redesign could include additional heat sinks., The original document contains color images. All DTIC reproductions will be in black and white.

Military training on fields and ranges at Canadian Forces Bases (CFB) is essential to prepare our troops for potential wars and/or peace missions. On the other hand, the growing concern of DND leaders and of the general population makes it necessary to evaluate the impacts of training on the environment. During the last 10 years, new methods of characterization have been developed to assess the energetic materials contamination, which is different from the usual contamination in residential or industrial scenarios. Recently, the efforts were focused on firing positions. Soil and biomass sampled at firing positions have shown detectable levels of gun propellant residues, such as 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT) and nitroglycerine (NG). In this study, aluminium witness plates were placed in front of the muzzle of the gun to collect residues propelled in the environment. Cotton wipes were used to collect the residues on plates. Moreover, as complementary data, soil samples were taken before and after the military exercise using a composite approach to be statistically representative. The energetic materials were analyzed at DRDC Valcartier in Quebec City by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and metal analyses were performed at Bodycote Testing Group in Montreal only for soil samples. This work was realized in May 2005 and was supported by the Sustain Thrust of DRDC and the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP), Washington D.C., USA..

This study first frames the artillery community's current and future operating environment, defined as the predominant threat models, policy initiatives, and employment practices that define the Transformation process for the artillery community. Based on that defined operating environment, this paper outlines the principal characteristics that the Marine Corps artillery must embody to remain relevant. Specifically, the Marine Corps' versatile artillery must retain its lethal capabilities while further evolving into a multi-purpose community that has the flexibility and efficiency to fulfill the non-lethal requirements of full-spectrum expeditionary operations. In an effort to meet these non-lethal requirements, three Transformation proposals are examined in detail. First, while the Marine Corps' artillery has recently adopted Civil Military Operations (CMO) as an additional mission; however, this mission and role must be further defined and developed. Next, additive Civil Affairs Activities (CAA) capabilities must be embraced and adopted by the Marine artillery. Finally, it is incumbent upon the Marine artillery to formally adopt specified Information Operations (IO) tasks as tactical responsibilities. The proposals addressed in this study specifically focus on the manpower, training, and force employment considerations of the artillery force; arguments centered on future technologies and future tactics, techniques, and procedures will not be addressed as part of this examination. Long-term commitment to the three Transformation Proposals, on the part of the artillery and the Marine Corps at-large, will create an artillery community poised with the capability and capacity to effectively support small-unit, full-spectrum expeditionary operations by the year 2015.

In 2000, the 32nd Commandant of the Marine Corps, General James L. Jones, ordered a review of artillery within the Marine Corps, His vision was to build an artillery organization capable of providing flexible and lethal fires to the Marine air ground task force (MAGTF). As a result, a triad of ground-based fires was developed to provide the MAGTF commander with flexible, scalable, and lethal ground-based fire support options: the Expeditionary Fire Support System (EFSS) rifled, towed, 120mm mortar; the M777E2 lightweight, towed, 155mm howitzer; and the High-mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). After a decade of acquisitions, the moment is within sight; nearly all the elements of the triad of artillery fires have been fielded and are being employed in the current operating environment (COE). Still, no consensus exists within the Marines on how to best train, equip, and employ artillery units deploying in support of the MAGTF. Nevertheless, artillerymen must be prepared to meet the evolving requirements of naval expeditionary operations as well as the expeditionary requirements of the future MAGTF to maintain the Marine Corps as a force in readiness., EWS Contemporary Issues Paper.

For centuries, artillerymen have dominated the battlefield with kinetic fires. The backbone of Marine Corps artillery are the 0811 Cannoneers, the Marines who have historically operated the howitzers night and day, rain or shine, to provide the fire support needed by maneuver units. For the last 20 years, a cannoneer's job has been fairly straightforward: employ the M198 155mm Medium Towed artillery piece in accordance with the technical manual. However, in recent years, the artillery community has seen its role on the battlefield change significantly due to emerging technology, operational tempo, and lessons learned in the current operating environment. An 0811 now faces the possibility of having to employ three different weapon systems throughout his career instead of one, all of which are significantly more complicated than the M198. Additionally, Marine artillerymen have officially been given the additional duty of performing civilian-military operations upon completion of the primary mission of providing fire support. Due to the new complicated equipment as well as new additional duties, the 0811 military occupational specialty (MOS) should have the minimum general technical (GT) score requirement raised from 90 to 95., EWS Contemporary Issues Paper.

Letterkenny Army Depot (LEAD) was recently given the responsibility to machine firing platform weldments for Howitzer. These weldments are used for mounting prototype cannons for test firing. The A36 steel Howitzer weldments are 72 inches wide, 173 inches long and 47 inches high. They weigh approximately 34,000 lbs. each. Since this was a new application for LEAD, they asked the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM) for proven solutions for machining these parts using the most efficient and economical methods possible. LEAD's estimate cost for completing the project using conventional methods was $126,000 and a leadtime of 4-6 weeks.

At 105-mm howitzer firing points, 2,4-DNT is detectable in the surface soils, but field sampling and laboratory subsampling uncertainty can be large during quantitation. The 2,4-DNT is in particulate form, within fibers or slivers of the nitrocellulose-based propellant. The slender fibers range up to 7.5 mm in length with masses of several 100 μg. Size fractionation of a firing point soil revealed that most of the 2,4-DNT was in the 0.595- to 2.00-mm size range, although the bulk of the soil was less than 0.6mmprior to grinding. Machine grinding for five minutes was needed to pulverize the propellant fibers sufficiently so that estimates of 2,4-DNT were reproducible in replicate analytical subsamples. To determine 2,4-DNT, we have adopted the practice of grinding firing point soils for five one-minute intervals, with time for heat dissipation between grinds prior to obtaining individual or replicate 10-g subsamples., Published in Soil & Sediment Contamination, v16 p459-472, 2007. The original document contains color images.

This issue of the WSTIAC Quarterly features an article on Naval Ship and Ship Systems Needs for Early 21st Century. Also included are recent news items related to weapon systems technology, the WSTIAC Calendar of Events and the Director's Corner. Details on several Training Courses sponsored by WSTIAC are also included in this issue. Contents of in the News: Field Artillery Fires New Modular Artillery Change System On Taji, A-10 Modifications Speed Up to Support Warfighters, and Office of Naval Research Launches Science and Technology Strategic Plan., The original document contains color images.

This issue of the WSTIAC Quarterly features an article entitled Directed Energy Weapons and the Asymmetric Fight. Also included are recent news items related to weapon systems technology, the WSTIAC Calendar of Events and the Director's Corner. Details on several Training Courses sponsored by WSTIAC are also included in this issue. Contents of in the News: Army Fields its First Light Weight Howitzer, JPADS Continues "Revolution in AirDrop Technology", and Tomahawk IV Flight Test Success From USS Donald Cook., Pub. in WSTIAC Quarterly, v7 n1 p1-16, Winter 2007. The original document contains color images.

Atmospheric emissions produced by live gun firing of the 155 mm howitzer were characterized during a live firing training exercise in Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Valcartier in January 2007. Sampling was performed continuously for three hours during the exercise during which particles and chemicals accumulated on sampling media. Sixty-nine rounds were fired, each round using four bags of propellant, and an additional 3 rounds were fired, each round using 5 bags of propellant. Established occupational health methods were used to collect and analyze samples for particulate matter, hydrogen cyanide, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), dinitrotoluene compounds, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene, metals, aldehydes, nitric acid (HNO3), nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and sulphur dioxide (SO2). Two sets of samples were collected, one at approximately 8 m at the left of the gun, and the second one at approximately 22 m in front of the gun muzzle, in the line of fire. Most of the chemicals were not detected during the trial. For both sets of samples, particles were found at concentrations much higher than the recommended environmental standards. The size distribution showed that at least 60% of the particles were below 10 micrometers. These findings suggest that there is a potential risk to health associated with exposure to particles for artillery soldiers. Formaldehyde was also detected at concentrations of 7.1 and 3.6 micrograms/cu m for the left and the front locations, respectively. These findings suggest that there is a need to conduct personal sampling to assess the health risk, if any, to artillery soldiers. For all substances, it is recommended that further investigations of air concentrations be made to properly assess personal exposure. It is also recommended to use more sensitive environmental methods to collect and analyse the samples., Text in English. Abstracts in English and French. The original document contains color images.

The enhanced portable inductive artillery fuze setter (EPIAFS) is a product improvement of the portable inductive artillery fuze setter (PIAFS). The EPIAFS was designed to receive data manually and via cable and to inductively set all the fuzes set by the PIAFS and initialize the Excalibur ammunition. The EPIAFS system consists of the platform integration kit (PIK) installed in the howitzer s fire control system, a 15-foot cable to connect the EPIAFS to a PIK receptacle on the howitzer, and the setter which can function in an un-cabled mode, a cabled stand-alone mode, and the cabled mode. EPIAFS is a system that consists of the PIK, cable, and setter. The terms EPIAFS setter and setter are used interchangeably in this report to indicate the portable hand-held portion of the EPIAFS system. Ten male Soldiers, ranging in rank from E1 to E6, arrived at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey, to serve as participants in a limited user test to allow for a human factors assessment of the EPIAFS. The testing centered on the ability of the Soldiers to set up the EPIAFS, use the EPIAFS to set inert fuzes, and secure the EPIAFS after use. Soldiers were taken into the outside sunlight and a no-light room to assess their ability to read the un-cabled display of the setter. The Soldiers wore their battle dress uniform (BDU) or modified mission-oriented protective posture (MOPP) equipment, which consisted of their mask and gloves with inserts, for alternating trials. The overall times for the Soldiers to set up the EPIAFS, which consisted of unpacking the EPIAFS and cable and connecting one end of the cable to the howitzer connector and the other end to the EPIAFS, were 0.8 minute in BDUs and 0.9 minute in the modified MOPP equipment. To set the first multi-option fuze, artillery (MOFA) required 5.0 seconds in BDUs and 4.5 seconds in the modified MOPP equipment. To set three more MOFAs required 7.7 seconds in BDUs and 7.9 seconds in the modified MOPP., The original document contains color images.

Soil was collected from Alaskan firing points and impact areas to assess accumulation of 2,4-DNT, NG, RDX, TNT, and/or HMX resulting from live-fire training activities. At each sampling site, the energetic compound was known from previous sampling or from specific training events. Surface soils at firing points for 105-mm howitzers had part-per-million concentrations of 2,4-DNT resulting from deposition of slivers of propellant from multi-perforated single-base propellant grains. 2,4-DNT was not detectable at a 155-mm howitzer firing point where the propellant formulation was the same, but the propellant grain was single-perforated. Nitroglycerin was detected from tens to hundreds of parts per million at mortar firing points, some of which may have been due to burning of excess propellant. Consistent soil sampling depth to monitor propellant residues is important because 2,4-DNT and NG concentrations decrease sharply with depth. At vegetated firing points, propellant was detectable in mosses and dry, matted grasses, but not in recently emergent leafy vegetation. To estimate the concentration of high-explosives residues, more mass and increments are needed to overcome the greater spatial and compositional heterogeneity. Particulate HE can persist for many years at upland impact areas, but degradation processes are apparent in a salt marsh impact area., The original document contains color images. Prepared in collaboration with EnviroStat, Inc., Fort Collins, CO.

Detonation of military munitions from live-fire and blow-in-place operations results in the deposition of explosives residues on training ranges. Residue accumulation may cause range availability restrictions and adversely affect training. As part of the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program and through support from the U. S. Army Garrison, Alaska, methodologies were developed for the sampling and analysis of residues. Several munitions were detonated and their residues examined to obtain an estimation of deposition rates for some common military munitions. This paper summarizes and compares tests conducted from 2002 through 2006 on mortar and howitzer rounds. Tests were conducted on snow-covered ice, thereby allowing residue quantification on a per-round basis. Explosives constituents investigated included trinitrotoluene (TNT), cyclotrimethlene-trinitramine (RDX), and cyclotetramethylene-tetranitramine (HMX). Analysis of test results indicates live-fire detonations are very efficient, resulting in about 3 x 0.0001% of the original explosive load in the residues. Blow-in-place detonations, when high order, average an order of magnitude more explosive residue, 3 x 0.001%. Rounds undergoing low-order detonation will be the most significant short-term source of explosives in the range. Corroded or ruptured dudded rounds are a greater long-term source. These estimates can be used as baseline input for range sustainability and maintenance planning., The original document contains color images.

The Crusader Self Propelled Howitzer will employ an actively cooled 155mm cannon to meet its high rate of fire performance requirements. The actively cooled cannon includes both integral mid-wall cooling of the barrel's chamber region, and outer surface cooling for the remaining length of the barrel. A thermal study was conducted to better understand the thermal performance characteristics of the actively cooled 155mm XM297 barrel under severe firing conditions. Thermal calculations were made using the FDHEAT gun tube heat transfer model which was modified to include an cooling capability. The FDHEAT program models the effects of the barrel heating due to round firing, radial and axial conduction within the barrel wall, convective and radiative cooling, and heat removal by the active cooling system. The study identified an optimum radiator size for the cannon and also showed that, compared to an un-cooled barrel, an actively cooled cannon has superior performance characteristics for firing engagements involving multiple, high rate of fire missions.

High noise levels from aircraft, small and large caliber weapons, land vehicles, ships, or submarines are characteristic of military operational environments. Continuous levels in the interior of fixed or rotary wing aircraft or in the vicinity of jet engines range from 100 - 130 dBA (15,18). Peak sound pressure levels from impulse noise produced by a howitzer may be as high as 180 dB SPL (28). Small caliber weapons such as assault rifles generate peak levels of about 150 - 165 dB SPL (15). Studies have shown that long-term exposure to unprotected 8-h A-weighted equivalent levels exceeding 85 dBA or instantaneous sound pressure levels of 140 dB will result in high-tone hearing loss (21,23). The 8-h A-weighted equivalent for a single round fired from a howitzer is 96 dB; a series of 20 rounds generates 109 dB (16). While the reduction of noise at the source through engineering controls may not be feasible in these situations, the use of personal hearing protection devices provides an easily implemented and low-cost method of hearing conservation (11). The sound attenuation provided by hearing protection devices varies widely across makes and models, particularly for earplugs. For earmuffs, attenuation increases from about 15 dB at 0.125 Hz to about 35 dB at 1 kHz and then remains fairly stable. In general, earplugs provide relatively more attenuation (15 - 40 dB) below 1 kHz, but are about the same above 1 kHz for highly rated devices (11). The attenuation realized by the individual user may fall short of expectation due to problems with fitting of the device, inadequate maintenance, incorrect sizing, slack headband tension, or incompatibility with other protective gear (2,6,11). Studies of measurements made inside earmuffs with probe microphones have shown that the attenuation may be sufficient to protect against a pistol or rifle shot, but will not reduce the level of blasts from a bazooka or canon to safe levels., Published in Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, v77 n9 p899-904, September 2006.

Over the past few years there have been many articles published within the Marine Corps Gazette about which system the Marine Corps should incorporate as the Expeditionary Fire Support System (EFSS). The U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM) ended any argument in November 2004 when it awarded the EFSS contract to General Dynamics and their partners TDA Armaments SAS and the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company for their RT 120mm Rifled Mortar System. The EFSS should be the principal indirect fire support system for a Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable). Although it does not give the lethality of a 155mm, the RT 120mm mortar can bring destruction by way of mass and various ammunitions to the battlefield. It can also give the MEU commander a more deployable and mobile weapon system. With its light weight and low dimensions the commander can vertically lift the EFSS with the Vertical Assault force or it can be transported in a landing craft. With speed and mobility becoming the wave of the future, the MEU commander will need a weapon system to maintain momentum and have the lethality to support the infantry. The mission of the MEU(SOC) is to "provide a forward deployed, flexible, sea-based MAGTF capable of rapidly executing amphibious operations, designated maritime special operations, MOOTW, and supporting operations to include enabling the introduction of follow-on forces." How to employ the EFSS and prepare it for Operational Maneuver-from-the-Sea (OMFTS)? The answer is to replace the lightweight 155mm howitzer aboard Marine Expeditionary Units (MEU) with the RT 120mm mortar, allowing the M198 howitzer and 155mm howitzer to deploy with the Marine Expeditionary Force. This will give the MEU(SOC) Commander an indirect fire support system that is lethal, mobile, and deployable.

Advances in rocket technology have far surpassed cannon technological advances in the last twenty years. Rockets are more lethal, accurate and offer increased ranges with decreased crew sizes and logistical requirements. On the modern battlefield weapon systems must become increasingly lethal while decreasing manning and logistical requirements or they become obsolete. In the urban environment military force must minimize collateral damage and deliver sufficient fire power to neutralize targets. Rocket munitions fulfill this requirement better than cannon munitions do. Cannon artillery cannot keep pace with the accuracy and lethality offered by current and future generations of rocket munitions. Given the accelerating advances in rocket guidance technology and the extended range capability of rockets over cannons, the current rocket and missile systems provide a decided advantage over conventional cannon delivered munitions in the urban environment.

In 1999 General Jones stated that the Marine Corps needed to fix Marine artillery. He was particularly interested in replacing the aging M198 with a lighter, more mobile 155mm howitzer. The Marine Corps has since developed, tested, and fielded a replacement howitzer. However, by the time the requirements for this new howitzer were finalized, the weapon was no longer designed to make improvements over the M198. Instead the requirements were centered on the limitations of the MV-22 Osprey. More specifically, the requirements were focused on weight rather than range, accuracy, mobility, and crew fatigue. The United States Marine Corps should not allow the transport limitations of the MV-22 Osprey to affect the capabilities of a fire support asset. The Marine Corps allowed the Osprey to drive the development of the M777 LW155 howitzer. Transportation should support rather than drive the development of new equipment. Because of this influence, the M777 is a mere replacement instead of a magnificent improvement over the M198. The Marine Corps should revisit the role of cannon artillery. Despite the enormous amount of money spent in the last 10 years, cannon artillery is still broken., EWS Contemporary Issues Paper.

To achieve sustainable range management and avoid or minimize environmental contamination, the Army needs to know the amount of explosives deposited on ranges from different munitions and how these are degraded and transported under different geological and climatic conditions. The physical form of the deposited explosives has a bearing on this problem, yet the shapes and size distributions of the explosive particles remaining after detonations are not known. We collected residues from 8 high-order and 6 low-order non-tactical detonations of TNT-filled 155-mm rounds. We found significant variation in the amount of TNT scattered from the high-order detonations, ranging from 0.00001 to 2% of the TNT in the original shell. All low-order detonations scattered percent-level amounts of TNT. We imaged thousands of TNT particles and determined the size, mass and surface-area distributions of particles collected from one high-order and one low-order detonation. For the high-order detonation, particles smaller than 1 mm contribute most of the mass and surface area of the TNT scattered. For the low-order detonation, most of the scattered TNT mass was in the form of un-heated, centimeter-sized pieces whereas most of the surface area was again from particles smaller than 1 mm. We also observed that the large pieces of TNT disintegrate readily, giving rise to many smaller particles that can quickly dissolve. We suggest picking up the large pieces of TNT before they disintegrate to become point sources of contamination., Published in Chemosphere, v55 p357-367, 2004.

This thesis studies the use of fire support platforms for Army airborne operations conducted within the new operational environment. It focuses on how field artillery can be a combat enabler for maneuver during forced entry operations (FEO). It is argued that the contemporary operational environment (COE) is more dangerous and less predictable than the previous operational environment of the Cold War. In this context, the National Command Authority should maintain a rapid response, forcible entry capability to set conditions for follow-on forces. Units, such as the 82d Airborne Division and Army Rangers, can lead the effort in FEOs. When a maneuver commander conducts an FEO he or she visualizes how the operation will unfold. As part of the visualization the commander must determine the right fire support requirement to help achieve success. Currently, the maneuver commander is supported by AC-130 gunships to different types of airborne field artillery and mortar units. For the commander to achieve success, he or she must decide on the right combination of versatility, firepower, and maneuver within the different capabilities of each fire support platform. This thesis analyzes the comparison of criteria for these systems. This allows the maneuver commander and staff to decide on the right fire support platform to conduct FEOs. (10 tables, 73 refs.), The original document contains color images.

The M114 155-mm towed howitzer has been obsolete and purged from the U.S. Army inventory, but is still in use at Yuma Proving Ground for test purposes. The Modular Artillery Charge System (MACS) replaces the bag M3 and M4 charges, which are being exhausted in the Army inventory. The MACS was not developed to be compatible with the M114 howitzer and was not tested. To support continued operations at the proving ground after the M3 and M4 charge stocks are no longer available, compatibility of MACS wit the M114 howitzer was evaluated. This report documents the analytical phase of the evaluation, to be followed by a future text phase verifying the analytical evaluations prior to use by the proving ground., The original document contains color images. All DTIC reproductions will be in black and white.

The U.S. Army's Armament Research, Development, and Engineering Center (ARDEC) at Picatinny Arsenal in Rockaway Township, New Jersey, was commissioned to reduce the weight of the 155mm howitzer. Their efforts included replacing an approximately 4-foot x 10-foot x 1-inch steel ISO grid support panel with one made of titanium 6AL-4V. Titanium weighs 45 percent less than steel, is stronger and more resilient, and doesn't rust. However, its unique properties also make it difficult to machine productively. ARDEC was spending excessive time milling a pattern of 2.25-inch-wide triangular pockets into the grid to further reduce its weight. ARDEC presented this problem to the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM) and requested their assistance. High chip loads are required to mill titanium productively. In light cuts, the alloy's resilience will cause a cutting tool to rub instead of cut, generating heat, high pressures, and short tool life. But heavy cuts require high torque and can also generate heat, so a balance of parameters is required. NCDMM's alliance partner, Kennametal Inc., recommended a combination of advanced tooling and manufacturing techniques to boost productivity. Solid-carbide center-cutting end mills were tested using trichoidal programming techniques. These machining methods employ radial movement of the cutter to maintain constant feed rates and keep the end mill continuously in the cut, maximizing milling efficiency., Prepared in cooperation with ARDEC/Picatinny Arsenal and Kennametal Inc.

The end of the Cold War signaled hard times ahead for both public and private manufacturers in the Nation's Defense Industry. Army-controlled manufacturing Arsenals, subject to Governmental control and requirements to maintain excess mobilization capacity, found themselves increasingly unable to compete with private industry on cost. Set-aside protectionist legislation, especially the Army Arsenal Act and the Stratton Amendments, played an increasing role in the ability of the Arsenals to obtain work. The Army Arsenal Act applies to 'make or buy' decisions and the Stratton Amendment restricts the transfer of large-caliber cannon technology to foreign nations. The LW155 Joint Program Office has dealt with both statutes because it manages a multi-national weapon system with a large-caliber cannon and is scheduled for production by the Army. This report uses the LW155 Program as a case study to examine three areas of importance to a Program Manager: the application of the Army Arsenal Act to joint service programs; the prime contractor's ability to control the origin of component parts; and the constraints upon multi-national production caused by the Stratton Amendment., The original document contains color images.

Since the inception of acquisition reform, the Paladin/FAASV office has pioneered changes in DoD acquisition. The DRU-H program is a prime example of this innovation., The original document contains color images. All DTIC reproductions will be in black and white.

The recent termination of the Crusader program coupled with Secretary Rumsfeld's May 2002 testimony before Congress on the future reliance on air-delivered precision munitions has called into question the future of the Field Artillery as a branch and the delivery of ground based long range fires as a function. The purpose for this paper is to demonstrate that not only is there a place for indirect fires in the future force, but there is a predominant place. A technologically sophisticated Crusader-like system coupled with advanced munitions and target detection capabilities, is not only relevant, but represents a potential transformation in how the Army could fight. The opportunity to engage an enemy from stand-off distances, without having to mass systems in order to mass effects, and deliver killing blows through the use of either global positioning or laser designated brilliant munitions will allow the Army to transform the way it fights, organizes, and maneuvers. The United States Army has reached the point where it should consider artillery another ground maneuver system, equal, if not superior to the armor and infantry as maneuver arms, and given missions, battle space and responsibilities commensurate with that newfound status. The United States Army must consider the fundamental reorganization of its current maneuver and fires branches and combine them into a new branch identified simply as "combat arms."

The 155 mm Lightweight Howitzer is intended to be a lighter, more transportable, and mobile weapon for strategic and tactical movements. Weapon performance requirements include a maximum weight of 10,500 pounds (about 5,500 pounds less than the M-198 towed howitzer it is to replace) and reduced time to place the weapon in a firing position compared with current weapons. The Army-Marine Corps Lightweight Howitzer Joint Program Office directs the Lightweight Howitzer development program. The Army will assume program management responsibilities for the Lightweight Howitzer program upon completion of deliveries to the Marine Corps. The Army plans to buy 273 guns and the Marines plan to buy 377, which is less than their earlier plan to buy 413, due to the deletion of a requirement to store howitzers in caves in Norway and other fielding changes. BAE is the Lightweight Howitzer prime contractor. Cannon barrels are being produced at the U.S. Army's Watervliet Arsenal under a separate contract and are to be provided as government-furnished equipment. The howitzer will eventually incorporate TAD, an onboard, precision, self-locating, and electronic aiming system. Until May 2002, General Dynamics was developing TAD under a separate contract for the Army. As part of the most recent program restructuring General Dynamics is now producing TAD under a subcontract for BAE.

In the Presidential campaign of 2000, George Bush often addressed the need to transform the Armed Forces. Once elected, he gave military transformation a central role in defense strategy. The administration presented its defense budget for fiscal year 2003 after 12 months of review. Did that budget support transformation? The initial reaction is mixed. The Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, which has been vocal in advocating transformation, registered its disappointment: "[The] new defense plan appears very similar to the defense plan this administration inherited...Perhaps most questionable is the administration's decision to continue to move ahead with three new tactical fighter programs...Likewise, the Crusader artillery system seems inconsistent with the goal of having an Army that is light enough to rapidly deploy." Some other supporters of modernization were more encouraged. The Lexington Institute was optimistic in part because it did not take the DoD budget as a break with the past: "Last year's trendy buzzword for what new management at the Pentagon would mean was 'transformation.' In the end they made the right choice, fully funding all three [tactical fighter] programs...Even the Army's widely criticized Crusader howitzer program...turned out to be a major improvement necessary for the conduct of future land warfare. A critical fight over military transformation did not occur with the development of the FY03 budget. It will unfold over the next 5 to 10 years as the services acquire the next generation of materiel as well as the doctrine and organization to operationalize them. To ensure that those future decisions actually transform the military, innovative technologies must become sufficiently mature, political and military leadership must foster innovation, and national security strategy must support a new approach to warfighting. The current defense budget certainly takes those steps. This is the path to transformation., Published in Joint Force Quarterly, n31, p91-99, Summer 2002.

The Army has been seeking to enhance its self-propelled 155mm artillery capabilities since the late 1970's. In addition to several programs to modify the M109 artillery system, culminating in the current M109A6 Paladin, since 1987 these efforts have focused on what is now called the XM2001 Crusader. Initially begun in order to match the mobility and firepower of Soviet artillery, the Crusader program is now the center of a controversy over whether it is an appropriate investment given the Army's on-going transformation to a lighter, more mobile force. Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld has announced his intent to terminate the program, however the Crusader's supporters in the House and Senate Armed Services Committees are seeking legislative provisions to maintain the program until at least May 2003 while an assessment of alternatives is conducted. This report will be updated as further events occur., CRS Report for Congress.

The 2ICR Regimental Artillery and Aviation Evaluation is an analytical evaluation using the Janus modeling software at Fort Knox, KY. The tested alternative structures consist of six 155 mm towed howitzers combat versus twelve 120 mm turreted mortars and four troops of OH58D helicopters, versus three troops of OH58 helicopters and one troop of AH64 attack helicopters. This evaluation focused on the performance of one squadron of the 2nd ICR performing a zone reconnaissance in a non linear eastern European environment in the 2004 time frame. The force effectiveness of the squadron was evaluated in terms of the contribution of the alternative regimental support assets.

The purpose of this thesis is to evaluate the current state of development of the Crusader Self Propelled Howitzer and the current threat of having its funding ended. The objective is to determine what actions are being taken by the Office of the Program Manager-Crusader (OPM-Crusader), in conjunction with the TRADOC System Manager, Cannon (TSM-Cannon) and the prime contractor, United Defense Limited Partnership (UDLP), in order to keep the program's funding uninterrupted, bring the program into production, and deploy the system to the field. This thesis will present a well know management approach known as strategic planning and apply it to the efforts being made within the Crusader program.

The viewgraphs for the Armament Systems and Technologies for the FCS/Objective Force are presented., Proceedings from Armaments for the Army Transformation Conference, 18-20 June 2001 sponsored by NDIA. Viewgraphs only.

This report discusses the logistical advantages of using composite materials as a substitute for steel in 155-mm cargo-carrying artillery shells. A weight savings of 25-30% per projectile can be realized. Combined with the weight savings offered by the XM777 lightweight howitzer, Light and Rapid Deployment Forces can be equipped with the firepower of the 155-mm cannon utilizing projectiles with a four-to-one lethality advantage over their 105-mm counterpart, while weighing approximately twice as much. The system of lightweight howitzers and projectiles offers these forces a substantial increase in lethality as measured by kills per logistical ton., Original contains color plates: All DTIC reproductions will be in black and white.

Since our July 2000 report, all key milestones except one have continued to slip. For example, acceptance of the first developmental howitzer slipped an additional 5 months from June to November 2000, and delivery of the remaining 7 developmental howitzers was delayed an additional 5 to 10 months. The production decision has slipped from March 2002 to September 2002 and the initial fielding of the new howitzer by the Marine Corps has slipped another 8 months to July 2004 or 28 months from the date set at the original contract award. The initial fielding of the howitzer to the Army remains unchanged at March 2005. Since July 2000, total program cost estimates have increased from $1,129.9 million to $1,250.2 million, an increase of $120.3 million. 2 This increase is principally the result of restructuring the developmental contract which added $20.2 million and an approximately $100 million increase for an electronic aiming system.

House of Representatives This report responds to your January 31, 2000, request concerning the Marine Corps' development of the 155 mm lightweight howitzer. The lightweight howitzer which will be procured for use by both the Marine Corps and the U.S. Army, is intended to provide greater mobility and improved operational characteristics while retaining the same range and accuracy as the current 155 mm howitzer the M-198. The Marine Corps entered into a cost-plus-incentive-fee development contract for the howitzer in March 1997. The contract has a target price of $33.5 million and requires the development and manufacturing of eight howitzers. The program is currently in the engineering and manufacturing development phase,1 and the Department of Defense currently plans to make a decision to go to full-rate production in March 2002.

The US Army is looking ahead at future weapons to capitalize on the Revolution in Military Affairs. As these weapons concepts develop, the officer corps that will employ them must also evolve. The Future Combat Vehicle (FCV) is an interesting concept under development in 1999 as a replacement for the tank (Abrams), the self-propelled howitzer (Paladin), the infantry fighting vehicle (Bradley), and the current air defense vehicle (Avenger/Linebacker). If the US Army develops an FCV that is capable of direct fire, indirect fire, short range air defense (SHORAD), and troop transport, an officer corps will be required in 2025 that is more skilled than at present in integrating the effects of combined arms on the future battlefield.

Congress expressed concern in the Fiscal Year 2000 Defense Appropriations Conference Report 106-371 to the 2000 Department of Defense Appropriations Act that the Marine Corps and Army are not utilizing the expertise of Army arsenals in the development and design of the Lightweight 155mm Howitzer (LW155). In particular, Congress requested a plan to include Rock Island Arsenal (RIA) in producibility and manufacturing aspects of LW155 and other Army/Marine Corps future towed artillery programs. The LW155 program office is currently receiving significant technical and logistical expertise from various Marine Corps and Army organizations. Personnel located at RIA have been assisting the program in logistical areas and RIA producibility experience is planned to be utilized as the program completes development and enters production. The LWlS5 is being developed by Vickers Shipbuilding & Engineering Ltd. (VSEL) of the United Kingdom whose design was selected as a result of an extensive nine month shoot-off and evaluation. As part of the development contract, the Marine Corps obtained option prices from VSEL for the first 19'0 production howitzers of the United States Marine Corps's planned acquisition objective of 450. VSEL is currently soliciting subcontractors in the US to provide materials, produce components and assemble the completed howitzer. The efforts being sought by VSEL in the US will account for approximately 70% of the completed LW155. VSEL has solicited US industrial sources as well as RIA to be subcontractors for the LWl5S. The report concludes the best plan for the Marine Corps and Army is to use RIA experience and expertise during development in producibility and manufacturing planning. RIA has personnel with advanced metalworking skills who are on an equal footing with American industry when considering experience in working with titanium, lightweight high strength alloys, and composite materials.