The M109 is a modern American self-propelled gun. The first prototypes of the car were built in the 1950s, and serial production started in 1962 continues to this day. It is estimated that currently in all armies of the world there are about 4,000 copies of this weapon. The M109 is powered by an engine Detroit-Diesel Model 8V-71T with 405 HP. The platform version (M109) is armed with a single 155 mm M126 howitzer and one 12.7 mm M2 machine gun.
The M109 was created to replace the M44 self-propelled gun in the line. When designing the new structure, emphasis was placed on the highest possible mobility, low failure rate, and the readiness of the structure for improvements was assumed (except for a radical change of the main armament). All these goals were met, and the M109 proved to be an effective and reliable weapon. It was also a great export success - the weapon was sold to over 30 countries around the world! During the long series production, many development versions of the M109 were created. Chronologically, the first was the M109 version, which was equipped with the M126 howitzer with a firing range of up to 14,600 m. M109A2 with greater mobility, a new howitzer (M178) and new electronic systems. Another important development version is the M109A4 with a new 440 HP engine and the M284 howitzer - still 155 mm caliber - but with an effective shot range up to 22,000 m. One of the latest versions is the M109A6 Paladin, which has modern fire control and battlefield management systems, much richer electronic equipment than previous versions and reinforced armor. As already mentioned, the gun self-propelled M109 went to many foreign recipients, including: Brazil, Greece, Spain, Israel, Pakistan, Portugal, West Germany and Great Britain. The M109 also took part in many armed conflicts, such as the Vietnam War (1964 / 1965-1975), the Yom-Kippur War of 1973, the Iraqi-Iranian War of 1980-1988 and Operation Desert Storm of 1990-1991.