Features
Country USA
Type Field Howitzer
Ammunition -HE M1, -HEAT M 67, -Chemical M 60, -Illuminating T 16, -Canister T 18
Manufacturer Rock Island Arsenal
Period of use 1939-1952
Service life 49 years old (1941-1990)
Production 10,202
Weight and dimensions
Mass (unloaded) 2.258 tonnes
Barrel length 2.365 m
Technical characteristics
Maximum range 11,430 m
Rate of fire 15 rounds /min
The 105 mm howitzer, Howitzer 105 mm M2, M2A1, M101 or M101 A1) is a 105 mm bi-arrow towed field artillery piece of American origin developed before the Second World War. It was used on all fronts in the US military throughout World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. He served in many armies especially in the French army during the Indochina War and the Algerian War. Of classic and robust design, easy to implement, with a wide travel in angle (-4.5°, +66°), a little more reduced in bearing (23°), it had two notable defects, its heavy weight (2.258 tons) and the fact that its tube was a bit short (22.5 calibers or 2.365 m), limiting its range. It was however easy to transport, well balanced, very precise and extremely reliable and robust:the M2A1 is still used in some armies, including NATO, more than 50 years after production ceased.