RUAG Defence has developed an enhanced version of the M109 155 mm self-propelled (SP) artillery system aimed at the export market. The company has already upgraded 348 Swiss Army M109sto the Pz Hb 88/95 standard, which represent the only SP artillery deployed by the Swiss Army. Among the improvements are a modified turret and the use of locally manufactured 155 mm/47 calibre chrome plated ordnance in place of the original 155 mm/39 calibre type. This offers an extended range and has a burst rate of fire of three rounds in 15 seconds due to the installation of a flick rammer. RUAG Defence can also provide a crew training simulator (CTS) and video-assisted training programme (VAT) to train the upgraded M109/47 crews.
Fire Power
Increased firing range of up to 36 km
Increased rate of fire (burst of 3 rounds in 15 sec.)
Increased ammunition autonomy (40 rounds, 64 charges)
Reliability
New electrical system (better than MIL-STD 1275E)
Higher operational readiness
Increased mean time between failures (MTBF)
Fault-finding diagnostics with test equipment
Survivability
Navigation and positioning system integrated
Increased mobility (gears, engine)
Capable of day and night operations
Effective fire suppression system installed
NEMP und EMP protection
Camouflage: paint and netting
The M109 is an American 155 mm turreted self-propelled howitzer, first introduced in the early 1960s. It has been upgraded a number of times, most recently to the M109A7. The M109 family is the most common western indirect-fire support weapon of maneuver brigades of armored and mechanized infantry divisions. The M109 has a crew of four: the section chief/commander, the driver, the gunner, and the ammunition handler/loader. The chief or gunner aims the cannon left or right (deflection) and up and down (quadrant). Upgrades to the M109 were introduced by the U.S. and by Switzerland (KAWEST).
