The Army has started fielding its newest artillery weapon — the M777A1 Lightweight 155mm howitzer — to Stryker units in Hawaii, according to a recent Army press release.
The M777A1 is the first ground combat system that makes extensive use of titanium, which makes it 7,000 pounds lighter than the M198 weapon it replaces.
“The weight reduction improves transportability and mobility without impacting range or accuracy,” said Jim Shields, program manager for the Army and Marine Corps program, according to the release.
The Army has approved “full materiel release status” of the new field artillery weapon, the release states. The M777A1 will be the artillery system for the Army’s Stryker brigade combat teams.
