ARTILLERY: BIG GUNS ON THE BATTLEFIELD

The United States has air superiority in the Persian Gulf but is numerically outgunned on the ground. Iraq’s thousands of guns, howitzers, and multiple rocket launchers--one estimate puts the number at 3,700--double the allied artillery.

The U.S. compensates for its lack of long-range artillery through battlefield air interdiction and close air support. Iraqi artillery is one of the major targets of the ongoing allied air campaign. Iraqi front-line artillery GHN-45 Towed howitzer Bore diameter: 155 mm Max. range: 24.5 miles Rate of fire: 5 rounds per minute Crew: 8 Built by: Austria / South Africa M-46 FG Towed howitzer Bore diameter: 130 mm Max. range: 23 miles Rate of fire: 5-6 rounds per minute Built by: Soviet Union Al Fao Self-propelled artillery system Bore diameter: 210 mm Top speed: 56 m.p.h. Max. range: 35.5 miles Rate of fire: 4 rounds per minute Built by: Iraq ASTROS II Multiple rocket launcher Bore diameter: 127 mm, 180 mm or 300 mm Max. range: 43.5 miles Rate of fire: 4, 16 or 32 rockets Built by: Brazil Al Fao Range: 35.5 miles Astros II Range: 43.5 miles M-110 Range: 15.5 miles MLRS Range: 62.5 miles Los Angeles--Barstow: 75 miles U.S. front-line artillery M-102 Towed howitzer Bore diameter: 105 mm Max Range: 9.4 miles Rate of fire: 10 rounds per minute Crew: 8 Built by: U.S. M-110 Self-propelled howitzer Bore diameter: 203.2 mm Top speed: 35 m.p.h. Max Range: 15.5 miles Rate of fire: 2 rounds per minute Crew: 5 plus 8 in tracked support vehicle Built by: U.S. MLRS Self-propelled Multiple Launch Rocket System Bore diameter: 227 mm Top speed: 40 m.p.h. Max Range: 62.5 miles Rate of fire: 12 missiles in less than one minute Crew: 3 Built by: U.S. M-109 Self-propelled howitzer Bore diameter: 155 mm Top speed: 35 m.p.h. Max Range: 11.3 miles Rate of fire: 3 rounds per minute Crew: 6 Built by: U.S. Source: Jane’s Armour and Artillery, Forecast International ’90.