M-107 175mm Self-propelled Gun

The M-107 entered service with the U.S. Army in the early 1960s, gradually replacing the M53 155mm Self-Propelled Gun. It was developed as the T235 prototype by Pacific Car and Foundry Company (PACCAR, Inc.), standardized as the M107 in 1962. The full nomenclature is Gun, Field Artillery, Self-Propelled: 175-MM, M107 (from TM 9-2300-216-10, Operator's Manual). The M-107 is also sometimes referred to as a howitzer or cannon. The gun itself, mounted on the M107 chassis, is the Cannon, 175mm, M113 fitted to an M158 mount.

The M-107 175mm Self-propelled gun fired a 174-pound projectile almost 33 kilometers. This impressive range made it a valuable weapon for providing an umbrella of protection over large areas. The large spade at the rear is hydraulically operated. When lowered it keeps the vehicle in place as the gun is fired, opposing the massive recoil.

The same diesel powered chassis is used for the M107 and the M110 self-propelled 8in (203mm) howitzer. In Vietnam, the M110 8-inch howitzer was found with most division artilleries, and both the 8-inch howitzer and M107 175-mm. gun were with field force artillery. At field force the proportion of 8-inch and 175-mm. weapons varied. Since the weapons had identical carriages, the common practice was to install those tubes that best met the current tactical needs. One day a battery might be 175mm while a few days later it might be half 175mm and half 8-inch.

The M107 self-propelled 175mm gun and the M110 self-propelled 8in (203mm) howitzer were both characterized by rapid barrel wear and the need to be able to change the barrels frequently and simply. The M578 Light Armored Recovery Vehicle (VTR) was developed to service these requirements using the identical diesel powered chassis.

Find additional photos and hi-res versions of the M-107 175mm Self-propelled Gun at the Olive-Drab Military Mashup:

The T236 self-propelled firing platform, originally designed for the 8-inch howitzer, was found to be adaptable to other weapons and purposes. The T236 family of field artillery vehicles presently includes five models: The T235 or M107 (175mm gun), T236 or M110 (8 in howitzer), and T245 (155mm gun) weapon carriages and two support vehicles, the T119 and T120 or M578 wreckers. The T245 and T119 were not standardized.

M-107 175mm Self-propelled Gun firing, Vietnam.

SGT Max Cones (gunner) fires a M-107, 175mm self-propelled gun, Btry C, 1st Bn, 83rd Arty, 54th Arty Group, Vietnam, 1968.

M-107 175mm Self-propelled Gun at the US Marine Corps Mechanized Museum, Camp Pendleton, CA.

175mm T235 self-propelled gun, with experimental nylon armor, 14 April 1959. The T235 entered US Army service in 1962 as the M-107 175mm Self-propelled Gun.

175mm gun from the 23d Artillery Group firing near Tay Ninh, Vietnam.

Today in WW II: 20 Jun 1943 Operation TOENAILS opens with Marines landing at Segi Point on Vangunu Island, southeast of New Georgia.

M-107 175mm Self-propelled Gun Photo Gallery

M-107 175mm Self-propelled Gun firing, Battery C, 1st Battalion, 83d Field Artillery, at Fire Support Base Bastogne, Vietnam.

M-107 175mm Self-propelled Gun firing, Vietnam.

Another M-107 Vietnam photo appears on the Olive-Drab.com Artillery page.