{
  "id": "m109a6",
  "name": "M109A6 Paladin",
  "aliases": [],
  "domain": "land",
  "country": "USA",
  "category": "155 mm self-propelled howitzer",
  "status": "in-service",
  "fielded": 1991,
  "operators": [
    "SAU",
    "USA"
  ],
  "prolif_count": 3,
  "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.",
  "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-m109a6"
      ],
      "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-m109a6"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "crew",
      "v": 4,
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a6"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Emplacement time",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "According 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 Pal",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a6"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "combat_weight_t",
      "v": 28.85,
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a6"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "label": "Weight"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_name",
      "v": "1 x DDC 8V-71T",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a6"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_hp",
      "v": 440,
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a6"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Transmission",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "Allison ATD-XTG 411-2A (A3) or 411-4 with quick disconnect powershift crossdrive, 4 forward and 2 reverse gears",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a6"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "road_range_km",
      "v": 344,
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a6"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_road_kmh",
      "v": 64,
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a6"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Fording depth",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "1.07 m",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a6"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Suspension",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "Torsion 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.",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a6"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Elevation",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "-3/+75 deg (-53/+1,333 mils)",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a6"
      ],
      "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-m109a6"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Rate of fire (sustained)",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "2 rpm",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a6"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Fire control system",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Alliant 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.",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a6"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Computerized FCS",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes, 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 navig",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a6"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Main Gun Stabilization",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a6"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Hull Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "5083 aluminum with composite spall liners and supplemental armor.",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a6"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Turret Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "The turret is fitted with Kevlar anti-spall lining",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a6"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Applique Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "DuPont 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.",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a6"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "NBC Protection",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "MCS system",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a6"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "main_armament",
      "v": "1 x M284, 155 mm",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a6"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "armament",
      "label": "Secondary armament",
      "v": "1 x M2 Browning",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a6"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "range_max_km",
      "v": 24,
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a6"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "label": "Maximum firing range",
      "note": "The maximum range of fire is 24 km with standard projectiles and 30 km with rocket-assisted projectiles."
    }
  ],
  "payloads": [
    {
      "name": "HERA",
      "role": "155 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a6"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {},
      "qty": "39 rounds including 2 Copperhead"
    },
    {
      "name": "Copperhead",
      "role": "155 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a6"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {},
      "qty": "39 rounds including 2 Copperhead"
    },
    {
      "name": "DPICM",
      "role": "155 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a6"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {},
      "qty": "39 rounds including 2 Copperhead"
    }
  ],
  "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-m109a6"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "M109A1",
      "text": "Replaced the M126 gun with a longer barreled, 39 caliber M185 gun, increasing maximum range to 18,100 meters.",
      "src": [
        "weg-m109a6"
      ]
    },
    {
      "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-m109a6"
      ]
    },
    {
      "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-m109a6"
      ]
    },
    {
      "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-m109a6"
      ]
    },
    {
      "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-m109a6"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "art": "sph",
  "image": {
    "file": "m109a6.jpg",
    "thumb": "m109a6-thumb.jpg",
    "credit": "U.S. Army",
    "license": "Public domain",
    "url": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:M109A6_Paladin_Testing_at_YPG.jpg",
    "title": "File:M109A6 Paladin Testing at YPG.jpg"
  },
  "verified": null,
  "changelog": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-04",
      "change": "Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-10-05",
      "change": "Added photo (Public domain)"
    }
  ],
  "url": "https://www.defensepedia.com/systems/m109a6.html",
  "sources": {
    "weg-m109a6": {
      "title": "M109A6 Paladin 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/M109A6_Paladin_American_155mm_Self-Propelled_Howitzer",
      "published": "2026-03-20",
      "tier": 1,
      "checked": "2026-10-10"
    }
  }
}