105mm Self-propelled Howitzer M1081-8

M108: General
Date of first acceptance October 1962 Total acceptances ~355
Manufacturer Cadillac Motor Car Division of General Motors Corp. Crew
5 men:
  • Chief of section in turret right rear
  • Gunner in turret left front
  • Assistant gunner in turret right front
  • Cannoneer in turret left rear
  • Driver in hull left front
M108: Dimensions
Combat weight 46,221lbs
20,966kg		 Height over AAMG 129.1"
327.9cm
Length without howitzer 240.7"
611.4cm		 Howitzer overhang forward 0"
Width without fenders 124.0"
315.0cm		 Tread 109.0"
276.9cm
Ground clearance 17.7"
45.0cm		 Fire height ~78"
~200cm
Turret ring diameter 100"
250cm		 Ground pressure, zero penetration 9.9psi
.69kg/cm²
M108: Armament
Type Mount Ammunition Traverse Elevation
105mm Howitzer M103 M139 in turret 86 rounds
(16 ready)		 360°
(manual)		 +75° to -6°
(manual)
.50cal M2HB MG Flexible in turret AA mount 500 rounds 360°
(manual)		 Manual
Aiming equipment
Panoramic telescope M117 for gunner and telescope M118 for assistant gunner
M108: Armor
Assembly
Welding
Hull
Rolled 5083 aluminum alloy
Location Thickness Angle from vertical
Upper front 1.25"
3.18cm		 75°
Lower front 1.25"
3.18cm		 19° and 60°
Sides 1.25"
3.18cm		 0°
Rear 1.25"
3.18cm		 0°
Top 1.25"
3.18cm		 90°
Floor 1.25"
3.18cm		 90°
Turret
Rolled 5083 aluminum alloy
Location Thickness Angle from vertical
Front 1.25"
3.18cm		 22°
Sides 1.25"
3.18cm		 22°
Rear 1.25"
3.18cm		 0°
Top 1.25"
3.18cm		 90°
M108: Automotive
Engine General Motors 8V71T; 8 cylinder, 2 cycle, vee, supercharged diesel
Horsepower Net: 345@2,300rpm
Gross: 405@2,300rpm		 Torque Net: 895 ft-lb@1,600rpm
Gross: 980 ft-lb@1,700rpm		 Fuel capacity 135gal
511L
Transmission Allison XTG-411-2A, 4 ranges forward, 2 reverse
Steering Mechanical, steering wheel (clutch-brake in 1st, 2nd, 1st reverse; geared steer in 3rd, 4th, 2nd reverse)
Brakes Multiple disc
M108: Suspension
Type Road wheels Track return rollers
Torsion bar 7 individually sprung dual/track Flat track
Drive sprockets Idlers Shock absorbers
10-tooth front drive Dual adjustable at rear of track On first and last road wheels/track
M108: Track
T136
Center guide, double pin, steel with detachable rubber pad
Width 15"
38cm		 Pitch 6"
15cm		 Shoes/track 79 Ground contact length 156"
396cm
T137
Center guide, single pin, steel with detachable rubber pad
Width 15"
38cm		 Pitch 6"
15cm		 Shoes/track 79 Ground contact length 156"
396cm
M108: Performance
Max level road speed 35mph
56kph		 Max trench 72"
180cm
Max grade 60% Max vertical obstacle 21"
53cm
Min turning diameter Pivot Max fording depth Amphibious with flotation device
Cruising range ~220mi, roads
~350km, roads

The M108 used the same hull and turret as the 155mm self-propelled howitzer M109; these vehicles incorporated components of the M113 APC. The large turret was mounted at the rear of the vehicle, and there was a small step on the right front hull to make room for the engine. The M103 howitzer was fitter with a short bore evacuator near the muzzle. Since the M109's firepower was so much greater, development of the M108 was cancelled in favor of improving its more heavily-armed sibling.

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References

  1. Hunnicutt, R.P. Sheridan: A History of the American Light Tank, volume 2. Navato, CA: Presidio Press, 1995. Reprinted with permission from Sheridan, R.P. Hunnicutt ©1995, available from Presidio Press, 505B San Martin Drive, Suite 160, Navato, CA 94945.
  2. TM 9-2350-217-10 C3 Operator's Manual Howitzer, Light, Self-propelled: 105-mm, M108 (2350-440-8810) and Howitzer, Medium, Self-propelled: 155mm, M109 (2350-00-440-8811). Washington, DC: Headquarters, Department of the Army, 23 November 1964.
  3. TM 9-2350-217-20 C7 Organizational Maintenance Manual Howitzer, Light, Self-propelled: 105mm, M108 (2350-440-8810) and Howitzer, Medium, Self-propelled: 155mm, M109 (2350-00-440-8811). Washington, DC: Headquarters, Department of the Army, 10 January 1972.
  4. FM 6-79 105-mm Howitzer M108, Self-propelled. Washington, DC: Department of the Army, 9 January 1963.
  5. Zaloga, Steven J. M109 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer 1960-2005. Botley, Oxford: Osprey Publishing, 2005.
  6. Crismon, Fred W. U.S. Military Tracked Vehicles. Osceola, WI: Motorbooks International, 1992.
  7. Hogg, Ian V. The Greenhill Armoured Fighting Vehicles Data Book. London: Greenhill Books, 2000.
  8. Federation of American Scientists. "M108 105mm Self-Propelled Howitzer." DOD 101. 7 Aug 1999. 18 Apr 2001 <http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m108.htm>. DOD 101
Last updated 15 Jan 2024.
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© Copyright 2001-24 Chris Conners