The M119 A1 Howitzer is a lightweight howitzer used by the United States Army. It can be easily airlifted, even by helicopter, or dropped by parachute. It does not need a recoil pit.
The howitzer was designed and produced by the British Royal Ordnance as the L118/L119 Light Gun. In the L118 configuration, the 105 mm projectile and the propelling charge are loaded separately. The L118 entered service with the British Army in 1975 and is used by the Parachute and Commando Field Artillery Regiments. It saw combat during the Falklands War, where the 30 guns in action fired up to 400 rounds each per day. The L119 is the L118 reconfigured to fire NATO-standard 105 mm single-piece ammunition.
In 1987 an agreement was reached to produce the L119 under license as the M119, to replace the M102 howitzer. It entered service with 7th Infantry Division, Fort Ord, California, in December 1989. Some improvements were made to produce the M119A1, including increasing its extreme low temperate envelope from -30 C to -45C, adding a US digital fire control system, and improving maintainability.The army has renewed contracts for the M119 to by produced by J.M.T.C. of Rock Island. Illinois. into the year 2013.
The M119 is currently fielded with all Regular Army light divisions, including the 10th Mountain, 25th Infantry, 82nd Airborne, and 101st Airborne Divisions, as well as certain National Guard field artillery battalions. It is routinely airdropped in airborne operations and slingloaded under Chinook or Blackhawk helicopters in air assault operations.
The M119A1 fires all standard NATO ammunition as well as special rocket-assisted projectiles, including
* M1 High explosive
* M314 Illuminating
* M60/M60A2 White phosphorus (smoke)
* M913 HERA Range: 19.5 km
* M760 HE Range: 14.5 km
Variants
* M119 Original copy of the L119
o M119A1 Minor improvements, including fire control and maintenance.
o M119A2 Improved sight package consisting of telescope (M90A3) or panoramic telescope (M137A2).
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