Army takes the First M109A7 Paladin. How old is too old when it comes to mechanized?

CW3 Kevin Storm — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 18:52:42 -0400

The M109 Backbone of the Mechanized Artillery gets an upgrade with the addition of the new M109A7. I can recall seeing the A6 being fielded in the late 1980's, this is an old platform, most likely one of the oldest out there, and is project to go on till the 2050. That will make it a 90 year old platform. How old is too old when it comes to mechanized?
http://www.army.mil/article/146200/Army_accepts_delivery_of_first_M109A7_Self_Propelled_Howitzer_system/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s41mPivcztY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJ8IugAc6Nc

Army accepts delivery of first M109A7 Self-Propelled Howitzer system

Military personnel and defense contractors celebrated delivery of the first low-rate initial production M109A7 Self-Propelled Howitzer to the Army during a ceremony, April 9.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2015 7:00 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 19:00:38 -0400

It still does the job and it seems to be able to meet all requirements. Requirements are supposed to drive the acquisition of new systems, not just a desire to see more modern equipment.

Response by SGT James Elphick made Aug 3 at 2015 7:57 PM

SGT James Elphick — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 19:57:05 -0400

This seems to be one of those times when "if it's not broke don't fix it" is holding true and actually working.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2015 8:02 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 20:02:14 -0400

I drove one over here up at TACOM, decent upgrades and improvements.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Aug 4 at 2015 12:07 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 12:07:37 -0400

One thing I noticed in the video, and maybe it was a prototype, was the lack of spades on the back of the Gun. Can any one explain the advantage of removing the spades?

Response by PFC Walt Dinshah made Jan 15 at 2016 6:59 PM

PFC Walt Dinshah — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 18:59:42 -0500

if its still effective and has good use, unless theres something majorly better out there why replace it.

Response by PO2 Richard Blakey made Jul 7 at 2016 8:29 PM

PO2 Richard Blakey — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 20:29:36 -0400

i,m old i was on m109 a1

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Dec 5 at 2016 2:29 PM

SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM — Mon, 05 Dec 2016 14:29:20 -0500

The worst thing the Defense Department did was kill the CURSADER PROJECT, almost every European country has a modern advance paladin type of track vehicle and this has been since the 1980's, The Germans have had a self-loader since 1988/89 I saw for myself at the technical weapons fair in Germany when I was stationed in 1 AD, they are so advance, we are so worried about our munitions and fielding women in men positions but let's get real, are they really going to have an all women crew on a M109A7 firing TOT anytime in the future. They can talk all they want about supporting women in the FA until you can show me what women can do on the paladin and the M777 there is no room to talk about fielding any type of future design because our ARMY is so far behind, The last thing I heard was a LAZER was going to be put on the STKER vehicle. When need cannon that can fire like the M1 and shoot in-direct fire like the MLRS. Oh, I like these Field Artillery blogs because there the truth and they need to be talk about through out the military and not just kept on social media. Ask the guys have been on the systems and know the systems and have been through the testing. I won't lie, I wish I was on Field Artillery panel.

Response by PO2 Richard Blakey made Dec 8 at 2016 4:40 PM

PO2 Richard Blakey — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 16:40:13 -0500

me,m109a1,new

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made May 7 at 2017 9:00 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Sun, 07 May 2017 21:00:25 -0400

Keep in mind the power train on that is now getting up there as well. Yes it can be replaced, but there hasn't been a new drive train on this since? Mods are one thing, but that family of engines is getting very old now.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made May 28 at 2017 6:38 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Sun, 28 May 2017 18:38:45 -0400

The M-107 through M110s appeared in 64, the M113 series about the same time. Many of the early ones had enormous Chrysler gasoline engines. Some, like the M114 Scout Car were just plain unsafe, and they were grounded. The M-107 (175mm) and M08 (105mm) were in Vietnam but then dropped.