New lightweight cannons pack a big punch

[unhappycamper]

Marines at Camp Lejeune, N.C., test the new Expeditionary Fire Support System


New lightweight cannons pack a big punch
By Trista Talton - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Feb 25, 2009 9:49:07 EST

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — Even in field artillery, known for its big guns towed by big vehicles, the concept of “smaller is better” has hit home, or so say the first Marines to receive the Corps’ new Expeditionary Fire Support System.

“They’re a lot faster than the triple sevens,” Cpl. James Boyle, a field artillery canoneer said during a live-fire exercise in mid-February aboard Camp Lejeune. He was referring to the M777A2 Lightweight 155mm Howitzer. “You can get into places that you couldn’t with the triple seven.”

That’s the idea behind the EFSS, a mortar-based system designed to provide mobile fire support for expeditionary forces. It is lightweight and small enough to fit snugly into the MV-22 Osprey, an aircraft designed to get Marines farther inland faster, and the CH-53 Sea Stallion.

Members of Lejeune’s Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 10th Marines, began training on the systems in January. Since then, Marines have learned to drive the new Internally Transportable Vehicle, a type of jeep that also fits inside an Osprey, while simultaneously learning to use the 120mm mortar that fires smoothbore or rifled ammunition.

By the second week in February, Bravo Battery appeared quite comfortable with the new gear. And while the EFSS may be compact, when fired it delivers a head-thumping, ground-shaking jolt.


Rest of article at: http://marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/02/marine_efss_cannon_022509w/%2e



uhc comment: That purdy little four duce and the associated purdy little jeep costs over one million dollars --> http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=259&topic_id=23733