* FT 155-AM-2, C-5 (PROV)

Change U.S. Army ARDEC

No. 5 September 2006
Firing Tables
for
Cannon, 155mm Howitzer, M185
on
Howitzer, Medium, Self-Propelled, 155mm, M109A1
Howitzer, Medium, Self-Propelled, 155mm, M109A1B
Howitzer, Medium, Self-Propelled, 155mm, M109A2
Howitzer, Medium, Self-Propelled, 155mm, M109A3
Howitzer, Medium, Self-Propelled, 155mm, M109A3B
and
Howitzer, Medium, Self-Propelled, 155mm, M109A4
and
Cannon, 155mm Howitzer, M284
on
Howitzer, Medium, Self-Propelled, 155mm, M109A5
and
Howitzer, Medium, Self-Propelled, 155mm, M109A6
and
Cannon, 155mm Howitzer, M199
on
Howitzer, Medium, Towed, 155mm, M198
and
Cannon, 155mm Howitzer, M776
on
Howitzer, Medium, Towed, 155mm, M777
Firing
Projectile, HE, M107
Projectile, Smoke, WP, M110
Projectile, Smoke, BE, M116B1 (HC and Colored)
Projectile, Smoke, BE, M116A1 (HC)
Projectile, Gas, Persistent, H and HD, M110
Projectile, Gas, Non-Persistent, GB, M121A1
Projectile, Gas, Persistent, VX, M121A1
Projectile, Illuminating, M485A2, and M485A1
and
Projectile, Practice, M804

Further dissemination only as directed by U.S. Army ARDEC,

ATTN: AMSRD-AAR-AEF-T, (Firing Tables and Ballistics)
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005-5001;
September 2006 or higher DoD authority.

Firing Tables and Ballistics Division

U.S. Army ARDEC
September 2006

* Supersedes FT 155-AM-2, C-4 (PROV) dated November 2004.

 FT 155-AM-2, C-5 (PROV)

U.S. Army ARDEC

September 2006

INSTRUCTIONS

FT 155-AM-2, 31 March 1983, with changes 1 and 2, is further changed

as follows:

1. The title page is changed as shown on the cover.

2. Page IV is changed as shown on Page 2.

3. Page V, add the supplemental information on Page 3.

4. Page VI is changed as shown on Page 4.

5. Page VI add the supplemental information on Page 5.

6. Page X is changed as shown on Page 6.

7. Page XII is changed as shown on Page 7.

8. Page XIII is changed as shown on Page 8.

9. Bolded information on the following pages reflects changes that were

made since the publication of Change 2.

1
 FT 155-AM-2, C-5 (PROV)

2. GENERAL INFORMATION

A. PROJECTILE, HE, M107. THE TABLES IN PART 1 ARE BASED ON RANGE FIRINGS OF PROJECTILE, HE,
M107 CONDUCTED AT YUMA PROVING GROUND, ARIZONA, AS REPORTED IN YPG FIRING RECORDS 9765,
11387, 11802, 8005, 13362 AND 13367, AND AT ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, MARYLAND, AS REPORTED IN
APG FIRING REPORTS APG-MT-4199, APG-M5-4540 AND OTHER UNPUBLISHED FIRING RESULTS. IN
ADDITION, FIRINGS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM REPORTED IN GREAT BRITAIN FIRING RECORDS GB3273E32,
GB7873E1, GB11A73E64 AND GB1173E1 WERE USED. TRAJECTORY COMPUTATIONS WERE PERFORMED
WITH A MODIFIED POINT MASS TRAJECTORY MODEL DESCRIBED IN BRL MEMORANDUM REPORT 1314.
THE AERODYNAMIC DATA USED IN THE REDUCTION OF THE FIRING RESULTS AND THE BALLISTIC DATA
OBTAINED ARE RECORDED IN FCI 155-AM-B DATED FEBRUARY 1983. ALL BALLISTIC DATA FOR
HOWITZER, M777, AND FUZE, ET M767A1 ARE RECORDED IN FCI 155-AM-B, DATED 15 SEPTEMBER 2004.

B. PROJECTILE, ILLUMINATING, M485A2 AND M485A1. THE TABLES IN PART 2 ARE BASED ON RANGE
FIRING RESULTS WHICH ARE CONTAINED IN YPG REPORTS 11802, 13367 AND 14635, AND FIRINGS IN THE
UNITED KINGDOM REPORTED IN GREAT BRITAIN FIRING RECORD GB7873E1. THE AERODYNAMIC DATA
USED IN THE REDUCTION OF THE FIRING RESULTS AND THE BALLISTIC DATA OBTAINED ARE RECORDED
IN FCI 155-AM-B, S-5 DATED FEBRUARY 1983. ALL BALLISTIC DATA FOR HOWITZER, M777, AND FUZE, ET
M762A1 ARE RECORDED IN FCI 155-AM-B, SUPPLEMENT 5, DATED 15 SEPTEMBER 2004.

C. FUZE, MTSQ, M564 AND FUZE, MT, M565. THE RANGE FIRING DATA FOR THE M564 AND M565 FUZES
ARE RECORDED IN APG FIRING RECORDS P-73241 AND P-72156, RESPECTIVELY.

D. OTHER APPLICABLE PROJECTILES.

(1) ALL FIRING TABLE DATA FOR PROJECTILE, HE, M107 GIVEN IN PART 1 ARE ALSO APPLICABLE
TO THE FOLLOWING STANDARD PROJECTILES PROVIDED THE INDICATED WEIGHT ZONE CORRECTIONS
ARE APPLIED (SEE PARAGRAPH 5).

PROJECTILE, SMOKE, WP, M110

PROJECTILE, SMOKE, BE, M116, M116B1 (HC AND COLORED)
PROJECTILE, SMOKE, BE, M116A1, (HC)
PROJECTILE, GAS, PERSISTENT, H AND HD, M110

(2) ALL FIRING TABLE DATA FOR PROJECTILE, HE, M107 GIVEN IN PART 1 OF FT 155-AM-2 ARE
ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE FOLLOWING PROJECTILES PROVIDED THE WEIGHT CORRECTIONS ARE
APPLIED AND CORRECTIONS ARE MADE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE FOLLOWING INCREASES IN AIR
DENSITY (DRAG).

PROJECTILE, GAS, NONPERSISTENT, GB, M121A1

PROJECTILE, GAS, PERSISTENT, VX, M121A1

CHARGE CHANGE IN
AIR DENSITY (DRAG)
PERCENT

PROPELLING CHARGE, M3A1

1G 1.5
2G 1.5
3G 1.5
4G 1.5
5G 1.5

PROPELLING CHARGE, M4A2

3W 1.5
4W 1.5
5W 1.5
6W 1.5
7W 1.5

PROPELLING CHARGE, M119A1

8 1.5

IV

2
FT 155-AM-2, C-5 (PROV)

E. HOWITZER M777.

(1) All Firing Table data for Projectile, HE, M107, given in Part 1 of FT155-AM-2 and the projectiles listed
in paragraph 2.D of FT155-AM-2 are also applicable to the M777 Howitzer, provided corrections are made to
compensate for the following changes in muzzle velocity for the M3A1, M4A2, and M119A1.

Howitzer M777

Charge Standard Change in

Muzzle Velocity Muzzle Velocity
m/s m/s

Propelling Charge, M3A1

1G NA NA
2G NA NA
3G 275 -1
4G 315 -1
5G 375 -1

Propelling Charge, M4A2

3W 296 -1
4W 336 -1
5W 396 -1
6W 475 +1
7W 571 +3

Propelling Charge, M119A1

8 687 +3

(2) All Firing Table data for Projectile, Illuminating M485A2 and M485A1 given in Part 2 of FT155-AM-2
are also applicable to the M777 Howitzer, provided corrections are made to compensate for the following
changes in muzzle velocity for the M3A1, M4A2, and M119A1 charges.

Howitzer M777

Charge Standard Change in

Muzzle Velocity Muzzle Velocity
m/s m/s
Propelling Charge, M3A1

1G NA NA
2G NA NA
3G 279 -1
4G 320 -1
5G 382 -1

Propelling Charge, M4A2

3W 305 -1
4W 345 -1
5W 406 -1
6W 485 +1
7W 582 +3

Propelling Charge, M119A1

8 697 +3

NA: Not Applicable

ADDITION TO PG V

3
 FT 155-AM-2, C-5 (PROV)

F. Muzzle velocities for propelling charges, M4A1 and M119A2.

(1) The muzzle velocities used in FT 155-AM-2, Part 1, are standard for the M3A1, M4A2, and M119A1
propelling charges. These tables are also applicable to the M4A1 and M119A2 propelling charges provided
additional corrections are made to compensate for the following changes in muzzle velocities

Charge Standard Muzzle Velocity - m/s

Howitzer

M109A5
M109A1* M198 and M109A6 M777
Propelling Charge, M4A1

3W 293 293 290 292

4W 335 335 332 334
5W 390 390 387 389
6W 471 473 469 472
7W 562 566 562 565

Propelling Charge, M119A2

7R 686 690 683 689

Charge Change in Muzzle Velocity – m/s

Howitzer

M109A5
M109A1* M198 and M109A6 M777
Propelling Charge, M4A1

3W -4 -4 -7 -5
4W -2 -2 -5 -3
5W -7 -7 -10 -8
6W -3 -1 -5 -2
7W -6 -2 -6 -3

Propelling Charge, M119A2

7R +2 +6 -1 +5

*Muzzle velocities for howitzer M109A1 are applicable to howitzers M109A1B, M109A2, M109A3B, and M109A4.

VI
4
FT 155-AM-2, C-5 (PROV)

(2) The muzzle velocities used in FT-155-AM-2, Part 2, are standard for the M3A1, M4A2, and M119A1
propelling charges. These tables are also applicable to the M4A1 and M119A2 propelling charges provided
additional corrections are made to compensate for the following changes in muzzle velocities.

Charge Standard Muzzle Velocity - m/s

Howitzer

M109A5
M109A1* M198 and M109A6 M777
Propelling Charge, M4A1

3W 302 302 299 301

4W 344 344 341 343
5W 400 400 397 399
6W 481 483 479 482
7W 573 577 573 576

Propelling Charge, M119A2

7R 696 700 693 699

Charge Change in Muzzle Velocity – m/s

Howitzer

M109A5
M109A1* M198 and M109A6 M777
Propelling Charge, M4A1

3W -4 -4 -7 -5
4W -2 -2 -5 -3
5W -7 -7 -10 -8
6W -3 -1 -5 -2
7W -6 -2 -6 -3

Propelling Charge, M119A2

7R +2 +6 -1 +5

* Muzzle velocities for howitzer M109A1 are applicable to howitzers M109A1B, M109A2, M109A3B, and M109A4

ADDITION TO PG VI
5
 FT 155-AM-2, C-5 (PROV)

3. WEAPON CHARACTERISTICS

A. CANNON, 155MM HOWITZER, M185, M199, M284, AND M776

CHARACTER OF RIFLING, RIGHT HAND TWIST 1 TURN IN 20 CALIBERS

B. HOWITZER, MEDIUM, SELF-PROPELLED, 155MM, M109A1 SERIES WITH THE M185 CANNON, M198,
M109A5 AND M109A6, AND M777*

M109A5
M109A1
HOWITZER M198 AND M777*
SERIES
M109A6
CANNON M185 M199 M284 M776
L400 L400
TOTAL TRAVERSE MILS 6400 6400
R400 R400
MAXIMUM ELEVATION MILS 1300 1275 1344 1275

MINIMUM ELEVATION MILS -36 -75 -38 -43

CHANGE IN ELEVATION
FOR ONE TURN ON MILS 5 10 5 10
ELEVATING HANDWHEEL
CHANGE IN TRAVERSE
FOR ONE TURN OF MILS 10 10 10 10
TRAVERSING HANDWHEEL

* THERE IS A MINIMUM MECHANICAL QUADRANT ELEVATION OF 300 MILS WHEN FIRING PROPELLING
CHARGES IN THE M119 SERIES. SEE PERTINENT WEAPON TM FOR DETAILS.

4. FUZE SETTING DATA

THE FUZE SETTING DATA FOR FUZE, MTSQ, M520A1 GIVEN IN PART 1, TABLE K IS ALSO APPLICABLE TO
FUZES, MTSQ, M520 AND M500A1.

USE TIME OF FLIGHT AS THE FUZE SETTING FOR FUZES MTSQ, M581/A1 AND ET, M587 AND M767.

THE FUZE SETTING DATA FOR FUZE, MT, M565 IS ALSO APPLICABLE FOR FUZE, MTSQ, M548.

THE FUZE SETTING DATA FOR FUZE, MTSQ, M577 GIVEN IN PART II, TABLE B IS ALSO APPLICABLE TO
FUZES, MTSQ M577A1 AND ET, M724 AND M762.

ALL FIRING TABLE DATA FOR THE M762 AND M767 FUZES ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE M762A1 AND
M767A1 FUZES.

6
FT 155-AM-2, C-5 (PROV)

6. EQUIVALENT SERVICE ROUNDS

THE FOLLOWING TABLES MAY BE USED TO COMPUTE THE EQUIVALENT FULL CHARGE FATIGUE AND
EROSION EFFECTS FOR PROJECTILE, HE, M107 AND ILLUMINATING, M485A2 AND M485A1. THE FATIGUE
EFFECTS ARE USED TO DETERMINE THE CONDEMNATION LIFE FOR THE M185 AND M284 CANNONS. THE
M199 AND M776 CANNONS ARE CONDEMNED ON THE BASIS OF WEAR. THE EROSION EFFECTS ARE USED
TO COMPUTE THE NUMBER OF EQUIVALENT FULL CHARGE SERVICE ROUNDS TO ENTER THE TABLE OF
APPROXIMATE LOSSES IN MUZZLE VELOCITY IN PARAGRAPH 8. DATA FOR CANNON, M199 CAN BE USED
FOR CANNON, M776 AS PROVISIONAL ESTIMATES. THESE FACTORS ARE NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE.

CHARGE ZONE FATIGUE LIFE EROSION LIFE

NO. OF RDS
NO. OF RDS EQUIVALENT EQUIVALENT
EQUIVALENT
EQUIVALENT FATIGUE EROSION
IN EROSION
IN FATIGUE EFFECT EFFECT
TO ONE FULL
TO ONE FULL CHG IN DECIMALS IN DECIMALS
CHG
CANNON, 155MM HOWITZER, M185*
M119/A1 8 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
M119A2 7R 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00

M4A2 7W 1.33 .75 3.33 .30

M4A2 6W 4.00 .25 8.33 .12
M4A2 5W 4.00 .25 25.00 .04
M4A2 4W 4.00 .25 ** **
M4A2 3W 4.00 .25 ** **

M3A1 5G 4.00 .25 25.00 .04

M3A1 4G 4.00 .25 ** **
M3A1 3G 4.00 .25 ** **
M3A1 2G 4.00 .25 ** **
M3A1 1G 4.00 .25 ** **
CANNON, M155MM HOWITZER, M199*** CANNON, 155MM HOWITZER, M776****, AND
CANNON, 155MM HOWITZER, M284*****
.50
M119/A1 8 4.00 .25 2.00
.50
M119A2 7R 4.00 .25 2.00
.15
M4A2 7W 6.67 .15 6.67
.075
M4A2 6W 20.00 .05 13.33
.075
M4A2 5W 20.00 .05 13.33
.075
M4A2 4W 20.00 .05 13.33
.075
M4A2 3W 20.00 .05 13.33
.075
M3A1 5G 20.00 .05 13.33
.075
M3A1 4G 20.00 .05 13.33
.075
M3A1 3G 20.00 .05 13.33

* CANNON, M185, HAS A DUAL CONDEMNATION CRITERIA, 6375 EFC (FATIGUE) ROUNDS OR 0.150
WEAR (6.250 BORE DIAMETER), TAKEN AT 40.00 INCHES FORWARD OF THE REAR FACE OF THE
TUBE, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.

** CANNON, M185, HAS NO SIGNIFICANT WEAR FOR THESE CHARGES

*** CANNON, M199, HAS A CONDEMNATION CRITERION, 0.105 WEAR (6.205 BORE DIAMETER), TAKEN AT
41.75 INCHES FORWARD OF THE REAR FACE OF THE TUBE. FATIGUE LIFE DOES NOT APPLY TO
CANNON, M199.

**** FATIGUE DATA FOR CANNON, M199 CAN BE USED FOR CANNON, M776 AS PROVISIONAL
ESTIMATES.

***** CANNON, M284, HAS A DUAL CONDEMNATION CRITERIA, 2650 EFC (FATIGUE) ROUNDS OR 0.105
WEAR (6.205 BORE DIAMETER), TAKEN AT 41.75 INCHES FORWARD OF THE REAR FACE OF THE
TUBE.

XII

7
 FT 155-AM-2, C-5 (PROV)

7. FATIGUE

THE PROCESS OF METAL FATIGUE IS CAUSED BY THE REPEATED APPLICATION OF FIRING PRESSURES OR
HIGH STRESSES FROM VARIOUS CHARGES AND SUSTAINED TUBE TEMPERATURES. EACH ROUND OF
AMMUNITION FIRED THROUGH A CANNON REDUCES TUBE LIFE DUE TO METAL DEGRADATION.

FOR CANNON TUBES CONDEMNED BASED ON METAL FATIGUE, THE EFFECTIVE FULL CHARGE ROUNDS
FIRED WILL BE USED TO DETERMINE REMAINING TUBE LIFE AND WILL BE USED AS THE FOREMOST
CRITERIA IN CONDEMNATION. HOWEVER, ALL TUBES SHOULD BE CONSTANTLY CHECKED AND POSSIBLY
CONDEMNED BASED ON THE PRESENCE OF CRACKS, DEFECTS AND OTHER DAMAGE WHICH MAKE THE
CANNON UNSAFE TO FIRE (AS DETERMINED FROM BORESCOPE, COMPARISON CHECKS AND VISUAL
INSPECTION). DETAILED INFORMATION ON FATIGUE AND TUBE CONDEMNATION IS CONTAINED IN TM 9-
1000-202-14.

8. EROSION

THE PROCESS OF EROSION REMOVES METAL FROM THE BORE SURFACE OF A CANNON BY THE
MOVEMENT OF HOT GASES AND RESIDUES GENERATED FROM THE BURNING OF THE PROPELLANT AS
WELL AS BY THE PASSING OF THE PROJECTILE THROUGH THE BORE. DETAILED INFORMATION ON
EROSION IS CONTAINED IN TM 9-1000-202-14.

FOR TUBES EXHIBITING UNIFORM WEAR, THE LOSS IN MUZZLE VELOCITY MAY BE ESTIMATED FROM
MEASUREMENTS TAKEN IN ACCORDANCE WITH INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN IN THE PUBLICATION REFERRED TO
ABOVE. FOR TUBES EXHIBITING IRREGULAR WEAR, AS EVIDENCED PRINCIPALLY BY STRIPPED LANDS,
THE LOSS IN MUZZLE VELOCITY CAN NOT BE ESTIMATED RELIABLY FROM WEAR MEASUREMENTS. THE
LATTER TUBES WILL CONTINUE TO FIRE ACCURATELY BUT THEIR VELOCITY LEVELS SHOULD BE
INFERRED FROM REGISTRATION FIRINGS OR DETERMINED USING A MUZZLE VELOCITY MEASURING
DEVICE.

THE FOLLOWING TABLE MAY BE USED AS A GUIDE IN ESTIMATING MUZZLE VELOCITY DEPARTURES FROM
THE FIRING TABLE STANDARD DUE TO UNIFORM WEAR IN CANNON, M185, M199 and M284. DATA FOR
CANNON, M199 CAN BE USED FOR CANNON, M776 AS PROVISIONAL ESTIMATES.

XIII

8
FT 155-AM-2, C-5 (PROV)

9
 FT 155-AM-2, C-5 (PROV)

The proponent agency of this firing table is the U. S. Army Armament Research, Development Engineering
Center. Users are invited to send comments and suggested improvements on DA Form 2028 (Recommended
Changes to Publications and Blank Forms) to the Commander, U.S. Army ARDEC, ATTN: AMSRD-AAR-AEF-T
(Firing Tables and Ballistics Division), Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21005-5001.

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