The gun is operated with an automatic fire control system with ballistic computer, fitted with an optical backup. The M109A6 Paladin achieves a maximum firing rate of up to eight rounds a minute, or three rounds in 15 seconds, and a sustained firing rate of one round every three minutes. The projectile loading can be carried out using the full-stroke hydraulic system or a semi-automatic loading system. The 39-calibre 155mm M284 cannon, which is fitted with an M182 gun mount, has a range of 24km using unassisted rounds or 30km using assisted rounds. Paladin was used in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in March / April 2003 and in the continuing operations in Iraq, including Operation Al Fajr in Fallujah in November 2004.īAE Systems Land and Armaments supplied 219 modification kits for US Army Paladins, which enable the use of the modular artillery charge system (MACS) and the 155mm precision-guided extended-range XM92 Excalibur projectile being developed by Raytheon and Bofors Defense of Sweden (a BAE Systems subsidiary). The ‘shoot and scoot’ capability protects the crew from counter-battery fire. The M109A6 Paladin fires the first round from the move within 60 seconds. The crew are able to receive mission data via a secure voice and digital communications system, compute the firing data, automatically unlock the cannon from the travel lock, point the cannon and fire, and move to a new location without external technical assistance. “Paladin is able to operate independently with no external technical assistance.”

Cannon shot gps tracks