M110 howitzer

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203 mm Self-propelled artillery

title: "M110 howitzer" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["cold-war-artillery-of-the-united-states", "self-propelled-howitzers-of-the-united-states", "tracked-self-propelled-howitzers", "203-mm-artillery", "military-vehicles-introduced-in-the-1960s"] description: "203 mm Self-propelled artillery" topic_path: "geography/united-states" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M110_howitzer" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary 203 mm Self-propelled artillery ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox weapon"]

FieldValue
name8" M110 self-propelled howitzer
imageFile:Dutch M110 203 mm 8 inch Heavy Self-propelled Howitzer.jpg
image_size300
captionM110 203 mm self-propelled howitzer of the Royal Netherlands Army
originUnited States
manufacturerGeneral Motors (transmission)
warsVietnam War
Yom Kippur War
Iran–Iraq War
1982 Lebanon War
Kurdish–Turkish conflict (1978–present)
Gulf War
2025 India–Pakistan border skirmishes
typeSelf-propelled artillery
crew13 (driver, 2 gunners, 2 loaders, (8 support crew–other vehicle))
length10.8 m
part_length5.1 m L/25
width3.1 m
height3.1 m
weight31.2 ST
armour.51 in (13 mm)
primary_armament8 in (203 mm) M201A1 howitzer
secondary_armamentnone
engineDetroit Diesel 8V71T, 8-cylinder, 2-stroke, turbocharged diesel
engine_power405 hp (302 kW)
suspensionTorsion bar
speed54.7 km/h
is_rangedyes
is_artilleryyes
is_vehicleYes
caliber203 mm
rateRapid: 3 per two minutes
Regular: 1 round every two minutes
range16.8-25 km
RAP 30 km
::

|name=8" M110 self-propelled howitzer |image=File:Dutch M110 203 mm 8 inch Heavy Self-propelled Howitzer.jpg |image_size = 300 |caption=M110 203 mm self-propelled howitzer of the Royal Netherlands Army |origin= United States |manufacturer=General Motors (transmission) |wars=Vietnam War Yom Kippur War Iran–Iraq War 1982 Lebanon War Kurdish–Turkish conflict (1978–present) Gulf War 2025 India–Pakistan border skirmishes |type=Self-propelled artillery |crew=13 (driver, 2 gunners, 2 loaders, (8 support crew–other vehicle)) |length=10.8 m |part_length=5.1 m L/25 |width=3.1 m |height=3.1 m |weight=31.2 ST |armour= .51 in (13 mm) |primary_armament=8 in (203 mm) M201A1 howitzer |secondary_armament= none |engine=Detroit Diesel 8V71T, 8-cylinder, 2-stroke, turbocharged diesel |engine_power=405 hp (302 kW) |suspension=Torsion bar |speed= 54.7 km/h |pw_ratio= | is_ranged = yes | is_bladed = | is_explosive = | is_artillery = yes | is_vehicle = Yes | is_missile = | is_UK = |cartridge= |cartridge_weight= |caliber=203 mm |barrels= |action= |elevation= |traverse= |rate=Rapid: 3 per two minutes Regular: 1 round every two minutes |range=16.8-25 km RAP 30 km |max_range= |feed= |velocity= |sights= |breech= |recoil= |carriage=

The 8-inch (203 mm) M110 self-propelled howitzer is an American self-propelled artillery system consisting of an M115 203 mm howitzer installed on a purpose-built chassis. Before its retirement from US service, it was the largest available self-propelled howitzer in the United States Army's inventory; it continues in service with the armed forces of other countries, to which it was exported. Missions include general support, counter-battery fire, and suppression of enemy air defense systems.

Description

According to the operator's manual, the M110's typical rate of fire was three rounds per two minutes when operated at maximum speed, and one round per two minutes with sustained fire. The M110 featured a hydraulically operated rammer to automatically chamber the 200 lb+ projectile. These rammers were prone to breakdown and generally slowed operation of the gun because the rammers required crews to completely lower the massive barrel before using it. Well trained and motivated crews could achieve two to four rounds per minute for short periods by using the manual rammer, essentially a heavy steel pole with a hard rubber pad on one end. Using the manual rammer was physically demanding, but crews were not required to lower the barrels as much as with the hydraulic rammer.

The M110's range varied from 16.8 km to approximately 25 km when firing standard projectiles, and up to 30 km when firing rocket-assisted projectiles.

History

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/Weapons_of_the_Field_Artillery_(1966).webm" caption="''"Weapons of the Field Artillery"'' (1966)."] ::

The M110 howitzer first entered service with the U.S. Army in 1963 and was used in the Vietnam War by the United States Army. Later versions were used in the Gulf War - Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm by Tango Battery 5th Battalion 11th Marines, and the British Army's 32nd Regiment Royal Artillery.

In 1977 the upgraded M110A1 entered service, featuring a longer M201 series barrel which gave it an increased range. The final version, the M110A2, added a double muzzle brake. The M110A2s were made from refitted M110s or M107 175 mm self-propelled guns. The 2nd Battalion 18th Field Artillery (U.S. Army), which inactivated in 1994 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and the 5th Battalion 18th Field Artillery served in Desert Storm with the M110A2, as did the 142nd Field Artillery Brigade (Arkansas Army National Guard) and 1st Battalion 181st Field Artillery (Tennessee Army National Guard). Most of the U.S. Army and Marine Corps relied on M109 series 155-millimeter howitzer systems during this conflict, sending remaining M110s to reserve or National Guard units. These units then took possession of M109s as they returned from combat operations. M110s were still in service with the 3rd Battalion 92nd Field Artillery (US Army Reserve) and running fire missions at Camp Atterbury as late as the summer of 1994.

The howitzer has been retired from U.S. Army service, replaced by the M270 multiple launch rocket system.

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3f/Dutch_M110_203_mm_Howitzer_in_Firing_Position_1972.jpg" caption="Dutch artillerymen with their M110 in firing position, 1972"] ::

At the end of the Cold War under U.S. Division Plan 86, all armored and mechanized infantry divisions included a battalion of heavy artillery that included two batteries of M110A2 SP howitzers with six guns each for a total of 12 guns, plus one battery of nine M270s.

Israel used M110s along with M107s during the Yom Kippur War against Egyptian and Syrian forces. Later, in 1982, Israel used M110 systems against the Palestine Liberation Organization and their Lebanese allies with deadly effect during the Siege of Beirut as part of Operation Peace for Galilee.

Iran used its M110s during its offensives against Iraq in the Iran–Iraq War.

The Turkish Armed Forces have used M110A2 systems against the Kurdistan Workers' Party since the 1990s, as well as in the Turkish military intervention in Syria, mainly against the People's Protection Units.

In the 1990-1991 Gulf War, the M110 had an unusual role. The GBU-28 (Guided Bomb Unit‐28) is a 4,000–5,000-pound (1,800–2,300 kg) class laser-guided "bunker busting" bomb produced originally by the Watervliet Arsenal, Watervliet, New York, built from modified M110 howitzers' barrels and dropped by F-111 aircraft.

In early October 2025, it was reported that Greece is considering selling at least 60 M110A2 guns and 150,000 high-explosive (HE) and cluster shells to Ukraine via the Czech Republic for about 199.4 million euros; According to the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, these howitzers no longer meets the Armed Forces needs.

Projectiles

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/08/Mk33.jpg" caption="A 203 millimetre W33 nuclear artillery shell on display"] ::

Operators

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/10/M110_operators.png" caption="Map with M110 operators in blue and former operators in red"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9a/M110_Column.JPEG" caption="U.S. Army M110A2 howitzers in a staging area prior to transport, [[Port of Antwerp]], 1984"] ::

Current

Potential

  • : As of October 2025, Greece is reportedly considering selling at least 60 M110A2, along with 150,000 M110-compatible artillery shells of various types (M106 HEs, M650 HERAs, M404 ICMs, M509A1 DPICMs), which then would be transferred via the Czech Republic. It was passed through a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Armaments session, with the Council of General Staff Chiefs deeming them as Non-Essential Military Equipment, to be provided to Ukraine "as-is". The Government Council for National Security which has the final say, is expected to convene soon (as of Oct 2025) for a final decision.

Former

References

  • TM 9-2350-304-10 dated October 1979

References

  1. [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.c2790785;view=1up;seq=205 ''Defense Industry Bulletin''], April 1968, p. 47.
  2. "Reports of heavy fire at Leepa Valley between the Indian and Pakistani militaries, per local reports. Pakistan is sending hardware to the region, including the M110 self-propelled artillery system Leepa Valley".
  3. Foss, Christopher. (1977). "Jane's pocket book of towed artillery". Collier.
  4. "M110 - 203-mm self-propelled howitzer".
  5. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJfcVG8mu_s 32 Regiment RA in action - Gulf War 1991]
  6. (Hunnicutt)
  7. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJfcVG8mu_s UK M110 Artillery in action Gulf War 1991]
  8. (4 October 2025). "Greece plans to send 60 M110A2 howitzers and 203mm shells to Ukraine". Ukrainska Pravda.
  9. (1984). "Nuclear Weapons Databook, Volume I: US Nuclear Forces and Capabilities". Natural Resources Defense Council.
  10. Henry E Hudgins. (January 1977). "Aerodynamics, Dimensions, Inertial Properties and Performance of Artillery Projectiles". Picatinny Arsenal.
  11. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. "Transfers and licensed production of major conventional weapons".
  12. Defense Security Cooperation Agency. "Excess Defense Articles".
  13. "Εξοπλισμός Εθνικής Φρουράς (Κύπρος)".
  14. "Deals in the Works". FAS.
  15. International Institute for Strategic Studies. (February 2023). "The Military Balance 2023". Routledge, Chapman & Hall.
  16. (2005). "Jane's Armour and Artillery 2005–2006". Jane's Information Group.
  17. Giannopoulos, Bill. (2025-11-04). "Greece Greenlights €199.4M Arms Package to Ukraine via Czechia, Featuring 60 M110A2 Howitzers". Greek City Times.
  18. (2025-09-30). "Πόλεμος με... ελληνική υπογραφή στην Ουκρανία". [[Efsyn]].
  19. "陸自最大サイズの巨砲「203mm自走りゅう弾砲」まもなく退役 進む"火砲リストラ" 最後の部隊は". Vehicle news.
  20. "昭和の名戦車「74式戦車」ついに完全引退！ 2024年3月をもって本州から戦車部隊が消滅【自衛隊新戦力図鑑】". Motor-Fan CAR.
  21. Bak, Dongchan. (March 2021). "Korean War : Weapons of the United Nations". Ministry of Defense Institute for Military History.

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cold-war-artillery-of-the-united-statesself-propelled-howitzers-of-the-united-statestracked-self-propelled-howitzers203-mm-artillerymilitary-vehicles-introduced-in-the-1960s