HO Scale 1:87 M777 155MM Howitzer Firing Position Desert Camo US Army

Service History: 1987 – present

Length: 3.8in

Width: 1.7in

Height: 2.1in

Weight: .2 oz

The M777 howitzer is a towed 155 mm artillery piece in the howitzer class. It is used by the ground forces of Australia, Canada, Colombia, India, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, and the United States. It was first used in combat during the War in Afghanistan.

With a weight of 4.2 t (4.1 long tons; 4.6 short tons), the M777 is 41% lighter than the 7.154 t (7.041 long tons; 7.886 short tons) M198 howitzer it replaces. Much of the weight reduction is due to the extensive use of titanium. The gun barrel serves as the towing bar, with the connecting ring forged as a projection of the muzzle brake. The M777 can be transported by helicopter sling-load, transport aircraft such as the Lockheed C-130 Hercules or C-5 Galaxy, or towed by air-braked vehicles with a 2½-ton or greater payload capacity, such as the FMTV and MTVR medium tactical vehicles. The minimum gun crew required is five, compared to a previous nine. The normal crew is eight. With a minimal emergency crew, the rate of fire is decreased. It can be fired by a crew of only three if absolutely necessary.