M55 self propelled howitzer

M55
M55 howitzer in the US Army Ordnance Museum
Type	Self-propelled artillery
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	1970s (Belgium)
Used by	United States Belgium Turkey Spain
Wars	Vietnam War
Production history
Manufacturer	Pacific Car and Foundry Co.
Produced	1950s
Specifications
Mass	44 metric tons
Length	9.75 m
Crew	6
Armour	25 mm (maximum) (Rolled homogeneous armour)
Main armament	203.2 mm M47 howitzer (10 rounds)
Secondary armament	.50 cal M2HB machine gun (900 rounds)
Engine	Continental AV-1790-5B (12 cylinder, 4 cycle, 90° vee gasoline) 810 hp at 2800 rpm (gross) 704 hp at 2800 rpm (net)
Transmission	Allison CD-850-4A (two ranges forward, one reverse)
Suspension	torsion bar
Operational range	160 mi (260 km)
Maximum speed	30 mph (48 km/h)

The M55 is an American fully enclosed and armored self-propelled artillery based on the M53 155 mm assault gun. It has a 203.2 mm (eight-inch) howitzer which can traverse 30° left or right, carrying 10 rounds of ammunition. The gun has a maximum range of 16,916 meters (10.51 miles) with a rate of fire of one round every two minutes. The M55's armor is light, 25 mm maximum, but sufficient to protect the crew from indirect artillery hits and small arms fire.

The M55 uses components of the M47 Patton tank, but the automotive aspects are reversed. The engine is mounted in the front and is driven through a front-drive sprocket. The driver's cupola is visible on the front left of the turret, and spare track blocks are stored on the turret front. Because the driver's seat is in the turret, a special seat is used to keep the driver facing forward, independent of the turret facing.

The M55 was used during the Vietnam War, and subsequently withdrawn from service in the US military.

References

1. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/m55-8.htm

2. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/m55-8-specs.htm

3. http://www.battletanks.com/m55.htm

4. http://afvdb.50megs.com/usa/8insphm55.html