{
  "id": "m109a5",
  "name": "M109A5",
  "aliases": [],
  "domain": "land",
  "country": "USA",
  "category": "155mm self-propelled howitzer",
  "status": null,
  "fielded": 1993,
  "operators": [
    "USA",
    "BRA",
    "CHL",
    "EGY",
    "ESP",
    "GRC",
    "IRQ",
    "ISR",
    "LBN",
    "MAR",
    "PAK",
    "PRT",
    "SAU",
    "THA",
    "TWN"
  ],
  "prolif_count": 15,
  "summary": "The M109A5 is a modified M109A4 it consists of two major improvements: a new M284 cannon and a new M182 gun mount. These improvements provide the M109A5 with a greater range and allow for sustained fire for prolonged periods of time.",
  "specs": [
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Manufacturer",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "developed 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",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a5"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "crew",
      "v": 5,
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a5"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Chassis",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "The M108 and M109 shared a common chassis (along with the M113 APC), but the M109 was heavier and had a larger gun",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a5"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "width_m",
      "v": 3.28,
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a5"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "height_m",
      "v": 3.28,
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a5"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "combat_weight_t",
      "v": 55,
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a5"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "label": "Weight"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_name",
      "v": "1 x General Motors 8V-71T LHR",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a5"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_hp",
      "v": 440,
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a5"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Transmission",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "Allison ATD-XTG 411-4A, 4 forward and 2 reverse gears",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a5"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "road_range_km",
      "v": 354,
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a5"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_road_kmh",
      "v": 56,
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a5"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Fording depth",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "1.07 m",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a5"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Suspension",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "torsion bar, 7 road wheels, front drive, rear idler, no return rollers (all models except PIM). The suspension system has been strengthened and an external NATO power receptacle allows the M109A5 to be electrically powered by the M992 field",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a5"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Elevation",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "-3/+75 deg (-53/+1,333 mils)",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a5"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Rate of fire (max)",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "1 rd/min first hour, 4 rd in first 3 min max",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a5"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Rate of fire (sustained)",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "2 rpm",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a5"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Computerized FCS",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Fire-control equipment includes an elbow telescope M118C for direct fire with a magnification of 4x and 10-degree field of view; panoramic telescope M117 for indirect fire and gunner's quadrant M1A1.",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a5"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Main Gun Stabilization",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a5"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Fire control system",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "It has an all weather ballistic shield mounted over the panoramic telescope; counterbalanced travel lock and provisions for mounting the M140 alignment device.",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a5"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Hull Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Maximum 20-mm light alloy aluminum, small-arms and artillery fragment protection",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a5"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Turret Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "The turret takes up the rear. On top of the turret, there is a small cupola, from which the commander operates. This cupola is also fitted with a 12.7 mm (.50) M2HB heavy machine gun.",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a5"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "NBC Protection",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Ventilated face Piece System (VFPS)",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a5"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "main_armament",
      "v": "M284 39 cal/155mm Rifled Howitzer fitted with Muzzle Brake and Fume Extractor, 155mm",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a5"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "armament",
      "label": "Secondary armament",
      "v": "1 x M2 Browning 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a5"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "range_max_km",
      "v": 14.6,
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a5"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "label": "Maximum firing range"
    }
  ],
  "payloads": [
    {
      "name": "DPICM",
      "role": "155mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a5"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {},
      "range_km": 22,
      "qty": "34 Rounds Total of any Combination Projectiles"
    },
    {
      "name": "HE",
      "role": "155 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a5"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {},
      "range_km": 17.7,
      "qty": "34 Rounds Total of any Combination Projectiles"
    },
    {
      "name": "RAAMS Long",
      "role": "155 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a5"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {},
      "range_km": 17.7,
      "qty": "34 Rounds Total of any Combination Projectiles"
    }
  ],
  "variants": [
    {
      "name": "M109",
      "text": "First 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",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a5"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "M109A1",
      "text": "Replaced the M126 gun with a longer barreled, 39 caliber M185 gun, increasing maximum range to 18,100 meters.",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a5"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "M109A2",
      "text": "Incorporated 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, ",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a5"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "M109A3 and M109A3B",
      "text": "M109A1s and M109A1Bs rebuilt to M109A2 standard respectively. Some A3s feature three contact arm assemblies, while all A2s have five.",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a5"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "M109A4",
      "text": "M109A2s 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",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a5"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "M109A5",
      "text": "Replaces 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",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a5"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "art": "sph",
  "image": {
    "file": "m109a5.jpg",
    "thumb": "m109a5-thumb.jpg",
    "credit": "Sgt. 1st Class Mikki L. Sprenkle",
    "license": "Public domain",
    "url": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Iraqi_M109_Paladin_in_firing_position_at_Al_Qa%27im_181203-A-KH856-0450.jpg",
    "title": "File:Iraqi M109 Paladin in firing position at Al Qa'im 181203-A-KH856-0450.jpg"
  },
  "verified": null,
  "changelog": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-10",
      "change": "Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-10-10",
      "change": "Added photo (Public domain)"
    }
  ],
  "url": "https://www.defensepedia.com/systems/m109a5.html",
  "sources": {
    "weg-m109a5": {
      "title": "M109A5 American 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)",
      "publisher": "U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)",
      "url": "https://odin.t2com.army.mil/WEG/Asset/M109A5_American_155mm_Self-Propelled_Howitzer",
      "published": "2026-03-20",
      "tier": 1,
      "checked": "2026-10-10"
    }
  }
}