M777A2 Lightweight Howitzer

The M777A2 lightweight 155-mm howitzer is a critical fire support component of U.S. Army Stryker Brigade Combat Teams and U.S. Marine Corps Air Ground Task Forces.

It is the first ground combat system to make extensive use of titanium and aluminum alloys, reducing the howitzer’s weight by 7,000 pounds to offer improved transportability and mobility over the M198 howitzer it replaces.

Through proven technology and the innovative use of alloys, the highly mobile M777A2 delivers rapidly deployable and accurate fire support. The howitzer can be transported by medium-lift helicopters and transport aircraft which make it ideal for operations in Afghanistan. A launch platform for the Excalibur precision guided projectile gives the M777A2 better than 10-meter accuracy at ranges out to 40 kilometers.

The M777 is currently deployed with the Army and Marine Corps as well as the Canadian Royal Horse Artillery in both Iraq and Afghanistan, providing fire support to coalition forces. The gun is known by local insurgents as the 'Desert Dragon'.

The M777 is manufactured by BAE Systems at its facilities at Barrow-in-Furness in the UK and Hattiesburg, Mississippi, in the United States.

Some quick M777A2 facts:
The M777A2 can fire the "smart" Excalibur round up to 40 km (25m) accurately enough to target individual rooms within a building, reducing the chance of innocent casualties and allowing supporting fire to be brought down much closer to friendly troops.

The internal cannon peak pressure during firing reaches 60,000 pounds per square inch.

The energy released during firing at maximum range is 40 MJ, which is equivalent to accelerating 55 family cars to 45mph in just 12 thousandths of a second.

The gun remains stable when firing, despite its light weight, by being "out of balance" - the barrel is mounted low and forward to prevent the gun overturning when it is fired.

Click here for more information on the M777A2 or visit our video gallery for shots of the M777 in action.