M109A3

The M109A3 is an artillery piece that served in various military forces. It is a self-propelled howitzer, meaning it is equipped with its own engine and can move on its own, unlike towed artillery. The M109 series of howitzers has a long history, with the M109A3 being an upgraded variant of the original M109 design. These upgrades typically focused on improving reliability, survivability, and sometimes incorporating new fire control systems or engine enhancements. The M109A3 was designed to provide mobile, indirect fire support to ground troops, enabling it to engage targets at long ranges with artillery shells. Its primary armament was a large-caliber howitzer, usually 155mm. The vehicle's chassis is tracked, providing it with good mobility over varied terrain, which is essential for keeping pace with advancing ground forces. The M109A3, like its predecessors and successors, features a rotating turret that allows the howitzer to traverse and engage targets in a wide arc without repositioning the entire vehicle. The crew typically consists of a commander, driver, gunner, and loader, responsible for operating the weapon system. While specific deployment details vary by country, the M109A3 was a common sight in many armies during the latter half of the 20th century and into the early 21st century, before being superseded by more modern variants of the M109 family or entirely new self-propelled howitzers.