M108

The M108 is a tier 3 Self-Propelled Gun originating from the United States. It is sold by Zhang Feng as the first vehicle in the SPG tree, and leads to the 2S1 Gvosdika. The tree can be by unlocked by playing fifty games using Zhang Feng's vehicles, or using 7,200 global reputation.

Currently, all SPGs in the game are locked to PvE mode.

Features

 * Self propelled guns: fire support vehicles for PvE missions.
 * Smoke generators : generate a smoke screen around the vehicle.

Player Recommendations
As a self-propelled gun, the M108 is best used as a support vehicle for helping the team progress by removing heavily armored targets such as MBTs from the battle. Teamwork is needed for those both working with and playing an SPG. Teammates should be asked to call out targets if they are in trouble, and front-line vehicles should be supported in the battle.

Pros

 * Splash radius around shell, useful for resetting base capture
 * More accurate than higher caliber artillery
 * Decent mobility

Cons

 * Long reload and aiming time
 * Weak armor
 * Dependent on other vehicles for spotting

Upgrade Suggestions
As the upgrades are very limited and are only marginally effective for the purpose of the vehicle, the Improved Tracks and Upgraded Exhaust Smoke are recommended, but not vital.

Retrofit Suggestions

 * Advanced Fire Control
 * Advanced Muzzle Reference System
 * Improved Gun Breech
 * Improved Turret Drive

Commander and Crew Skill Suggestions

 * Commander: Freja Hojbjerg, for improvements to aim speed and overall accuracy
 * Driver: Smooth Ride, Off-Road Driving
 * Gunner: Sharpshooter, Do the Twist
 * Loader: Rapid Fire, Explosive Shells

History
Class: Self-Propelled Gun Developed: 1953-1961 Service: 1963-1974 Vehicles Built: 355 Operators: USA, Belgium, Brazil, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey The M108 was a 105mm self-propelled gun, developed alongside its sister project, the larger M109 in the 1950s. Due to a number of delays and setbacks, the vehicle didn&#39;t reach production until 1961. Generally speaking, the M108 was not a very successful design and far less so than the M109. Production only ran until 1963 with a mere 355 vehicles built. At that point, the U.S. Army decided to unify the artillery caliber of the mechanized divisions to one – the 155mm. The only American combat use of the M108 occurred during the Vietnam War, where a few M108s were sent along with the M109s. The terrain was a major problem that hampered non-tracked vehicle movement, but the M108s and M109s were valuable because they could pass through the mud, had enough armor to protect their crews from Vietnamese light infantry ambushes and the turret traverse allowed them to engage targets in all directions, something the towed artillery was incapable of. On the downside, towed artillery was essentially helicopter-transportable and could be deployed and used in remote areas and during helicopter assaults while SPGs were more restricted. They would typically remain stationary as part of American fire bases, providing supporting indirect fire on call and defending the base itself. The first M108 unit was deployed in Vietnam in June 1966 and by mid-1968 there were already 36 M108s in Vietnam that remained until mid-1970, when they were recalled back to the United States. After the Vietnam War, the M108 didn&#39;t see all that much service. A few vehicles were converted to OPFOR needs starting in 1974 and that was it. The vehicles were officially retired shortly after the end of the Vietnam War. At that point, most of them were sold off to other countries.