In the 1950s the Soviet Union held dominion in the artillery class of weaponry with its D-30 field howitzer. Some countries may hold dominion in several weapons categories at the same. Take the United States, for example: At the same time, we field the best fighter, the best tank, and the best towed-field howitzer in the world the M777.
The West and NATO countries recognized that the war of Russian aggression in Ukraine has become, by and large, a war of dueling artillery exchanges. So, Ukraine pleaded for the word contender, the M777 (Triple777) Ultralight Field Howitzer, and promptly received 90 M777 howitzer guns in the first shipment from the U.S. NATO members Great Britain, Canada, and France also provided Ukraine with howitzers bringing the total to106 tubes (artillery guns).
The mighty and accurate M777
The M777 howitzer is considered lightweight coming in at 9,300 pounds due to the use of many light titanium parts. It can reach out as far as 25 miles (ammunition dependent). It is unbelievable to me that with the aid of special ammunition the M777 can reach a target at 25 miles with a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of 16 feet. CEP defines how many feet of error you get with certain ammunition: The greater the distance the larger the CEP.
The M777 can use a technology called Rocket Assisted Projectile (RAP) to give it an extra push out to longer ranges. It also achieves increased accuracy due to its M982 GPS Inertially-guided Excalibur rounds.
It is interesting to me how the technology develops with weapons systems like these: Once the creators have tweaked the last drop of blood out of the gun and carrier, they start going after corollaries of superiority like the M777’s ammunition. The accurate Excalibur munition can be fired in glide mode such that its apex can be programmed in by the gunner, instructing it to glide in at a low or high angle to the target.
Related: Switchblade drones: Giving Ukraine an edge on the battlefield
The howitzer’s gunner can also program what azimuth he wants the round to impact the target from; that could be a significant advantage if the target has assumed cover.
The US is sending its best
Im proud of the U.S.s contribution to the Ukrainian people and of the Ukrainians’ perseverance to fight the more powerful Russian army. We are giving Ukraine our M777 big guns to help; we didnt just shove some relics at them and wish them good luck. I believe the gift of the M777 batteries is a thoroughly honest demonstration of our will to see our Ukrainian brothers and sisters through to peace and success.
By Almighty God and with honor,
geo sends
Sorry, I forgot to ask. Do you have any idea what munitions they received? I’ve read rumors some are of the Excalibur class but this info may be classified anyway and people are just guessing. I’ll ask my guys in Ukraine what rumors they hear from the frontlines. I’m in the US.
I’ve been looking for straightforward info. Thanks so much for your writeup. I have a crew of 50 in Ukraine for my business and now their strung out all over to stay safe. I try to stay educated to be able to say a few intelligently supportive words. And your article helped educate me a lot. Thanks for doing this.
Thank you so much Mr
George for what you’re doing to help the Ucraine military. My daddy was in the Korean war and was a artillery gunman. He is still living at 91 and he has taught me alot during my life. I chose to be a EMT- paramedic and I love what I do helping people. I watch alot of you tube military videos every chance I get. God bless all our military and I pray 🙏 for you to continue to stay safe and enjoy your life. Again,God bless you,all the military and the USA
Brother Ponthieux,
Thanks so much for taking the time to read and especially to comment on my M-1777 howitzer article. While I am fully empathetic with the plight of the Ukraïnski people, I am at a loss for how I can help them more in this War of Russian Aggression.
My sincere regards to your father for influencing you on your noble path as EMC.
sincerely the best, Patrick, my brother.
By Almighty God and with honor, geo sends
*EMT…
Thanks so much, Ms. Mic-Mac!
geo sends
Thank you as always, Geo. Very interesting. Your last paragraph sealed the deal for me in believing the US is doing the right thing and providing the best weapons. I like hearing it firsthand from an expert.
All the best from MicMac
Not our best. This is sub-par equipment, Provided without computer system for accuracy, DOD has refused to state why the USA is not providing computers. Is this a “good enough effort” or a “we like you but don’t trust you” statement?
The Ukraine military seems to be pretty excited to have it, and they’re being used with great success. How about you go troll elsewhere, “Don”.
Good day, brother Don. I too was moderately shocked that the U.S. did not include the computer pinpoint feature along with the rest of the package. It annoys me too not to know the reason why, and have resigned to the notion that the country has a good enough reason for why they have withheld the precision sights.
My final statement on the mystery is I accept the reason (whatever it is) that America has fallen short to complete the package, though I feel the Ukraïne still got a pretty sweet deal from the U.S., one that will affect the War of Russian Aggression in all our favor.