M55 Self Propelled Howitzer – Photos & Video

Photo galery of a M55 Self Propelled Howitzer , The M55 was an American fully enclosed and armored self-propelled artillery based on the M53 155 mm assault gun. It had a 203.2 mm howitzer which could traverse 30° left or right, carrying only 10 rounds of ammunition. The gun had a maximum range of 16,916 meters with a rate of fire of one round every two minutes. The M55 armor was light, 25 mm maximum, but sufficient to protect the crew from indirect artillery hits or small arms fire. The M55 used components of the M47 Patton tank, but the automotive aspects were reversed. The engine was mounted in the front and drove through a front-drive sprocket. The driver’s cupola is visible on the front left of the turret, and spare track blocks were stored on the turret front. Because the driver’s seat was in the turret, a special seat was used to keep the driver facing forward, independent of the turret facing. The M55 was used during the Vietnam War, and subsequently withdrawn from service in the US military.

Source: Wikipedia

The M55 Self Propelled Howitzer was a powerful and versatile artillery system developed by the United States in the 1950s. Based on the M53 155 mm self-propelled gun, the M55 had a larger 203.2 mm (eight-inch) howitzer that could fire a variety of projectiles, including high-explosive, nuclear, chemical and smoke. The M55 could traverse its gun 30° left or right, and had a maximum range of 16.92 km (10.51 miles) with conventional ammunition, or 30 km (18.64 miles) with rocket-assisted projectiles. The M55 had a crew of six and carried 10 rounds of ammunition in its turret.
The M55 was designed to provide heavy fire support for armored and infantry units, as well as counter-battery fire against enemy artillery. The M55 was also capable of firing nuclear shells, which gave it a strategic role in deterring or destroying enemy forces. The M55 used components of the M47 Patton tank, but reversed the engine and transmission to the front of the vehicle. This gave the M55 better weight distribution and mobility, as well as protection for the engine from rear attacks. The M55 had a top speed of 48 km/h (30 mph) and a range of 260 km (160 miles).
The M55 entered service with the US Army in 1952 and was deployed in NATO areas during the Cold War. The M55 saw combat in the Vietnam War, where it was used to bombard enemy positions and provide fire support for ground troops. The M55 was also exported to several countries, including Belgium, Turkey, Spain, West Germany and Taiwan. The M55 was eventually replaced by the M110 howitzer in the US Army, which had a longer barrel and a faster rate of fire. The M55 was retired from US service in the 1960s, but some remained in service with other countries until the 1990s.