M109

The M109 is a tier 5 Self-Propelled Gun originating from the United States, and is sold by Zhang Feng. It can be unlocked from the 2S1 Gvosdika, and leads to the 2S3 Akatsiya.

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

Features

 * Self propelled guns: fire support vehicles for PvE missions.
 * High caliber: the high caliber weaponry deals an increased damage.
 * Smoke generators : generate a smoke screen around the vehicle.

Player Recommendations
As a self-propelled gun, the M109 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

 * Large splash radius
 * High damage output compared to previous SPGs

Cons

 * Poor reload
 * Poor aiming time
 * Poor accuracy

Upgrade Suggestions
Both upgrades available for the M109 (The 8V-71T Diesel Engine and the Upgraded Exhaust Smoke) are relatively unimportant for vehicle performance, although the engine can improve mobility between firing locations.

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: 1963-1981 (U.S. service, original M109) Vehicles Built: 3786 Operators: USA, West Germany, Israel, Iran, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Ethiopia, Italy, Jordan, Netherlands and Spain The M108 was a 155mm self-propelled gun, developed alongside its sister project, the smaller M108 in the 1950s. Despite the same prolonged development, the M109 would end up being a much more successful design with no fewer than 3786 vehicles built (2111 for the U.S. military, the rest for export) in the Cleveland Tank Plant. Although the M109 was intended primarily for the forces stationed in Europe, it was first used in combat during the Vietnam War. The most common use of the M109 during the war was as a part of U.S. Army firebases – its turret traverse allowed it to rapidly switch targets and to provide the U.S. forces with short response time indirect fire support. The firepower of 155mm shells was especially devastating against infantry, light fortifications and other soft targets. The first M109s appeared in Vietnam in June 19 1966 and there were already as many as 108 M109s stationed there by mid-1968. The last M109 battalion was withdrawn from Vietnam by the end of 1971. One lesson that the Vietnam War taught the American artillerymen was that range was of paramount importance. To that end, the original M109s were all refitted with longer barrels between 1973 and 1981, producing a variant called M109A1. The M109 series was also widely exported and had seen combat during the Yom Kippur war of 1973. Almost all original M109s have since been upgraded and continue to serve to this day.