M - 109A6 Paladin The M - 109A6 Paladin is the most modern version of the German M - 109 Howitzer and the most advanced howitzer of the U . S . Army . Description . The M109A6 Paladin is the latest advancement in 155mm self - propelled artillery . The system enhances previous versions of the M109 by implementing onboard navigational and automatic fire control systems . Paladin has both a Kevlar - lined chassis and a pressurized crew compartment to guard against ballistic , nuclear , biological , and chemical threats . The M109A6 is the most technologically advanced cannon in the Army inventory . This weapon has a 4 man crew , and weights approximately 62 , 000 lbs / 32 tons , and has a cruising range of 186 miles , Max speed is 35 MPH , It has a fuel capacity of 133 gals . The Paladin can operate independently , from on the move , it can receive a fire mission , compute firing data , select and take up its firing position , automatically unlock and point its cannon , fire and move out - all with no external technical assistance . Firing the first round from the move in under 60 seconds , a " shoot and scoot " capability protects the crew from counterbattery fire . The M109A6 Paladin is capable of firing up to four rounds per minute to ranges of 30 kilometers . The Paladin features increased survivability characteristics such as day / night operability , NBC protection with climate control and secure voice and digital communications . The crew remains in the vehicle throughout the mission . The Paladin is designed to accept new technologies increasing firing range , rate of fire , and accuracy . TACOM - ARDEC , in order to maintain the state - of - the - art in artillery technologies , is continuing to develop enhancements adaptable to Paladin , such as a 52 caliber gun , Modular Artillery Charge System ( MACS ) , and a laser ignition system . The Paladin / FAASV program entails a major product improvement and re - engineering effort - begun in 1979 - to upgrade the U . S . Army ' s primary self - propelled long - range howitzer , designated the M109 series . Range , lethality , reliability , speed and mobility were all limitations of this 1950 ' s design , as was the lack of onboard navigation / location and nuclear , biological and chemical protection for the crew . The new Paladin closes the technology gap in response to the requirements of the U . S . Army Soldier . These " shoot and scoot " requirements , were translated into engineering requirements and specifications that updated or replaced every subsystem of the vehicle . By the end of 1999 , 824 Paladins will be in the hands of US Army and National Guard Field Artillery units in accordance with a detailed schedule that includes advance Materiel Fielding Team customer familiarization , new equipment training for both officers and enlisted personnel , and all of the associated logistics , spares , manuals , trainers and testing devices for the weapons system . The Letterkenny Army Depot is a key partner with the Defense Depot Letterkenny , PA ( DDLP ) in ensuring availability of the 1900 necessary parts to the production line . Letterkenny Army Depot ' s partnership role is to deprocess old howitzers , salvage reusable chassis and components and integrate all chassis / automotive upgrades into the refurbished Paladin chassis . United Defense Limited Partnership Paladin Production Division , also collocated at Letterkenny Army Depot forms part of the production line , applying its skills in systems and turret integration after receiving the Paladin chassis from Letterkenny . The Defense Contract Management ( DCM ) partner is the designated Department of Defense in - plant organization to ensure both product quality and fiscal integrity of the defense contractor , United Defense Limited Partnership . Major suppliers include Honeywell ( navigation / positioning systems ) , Detroit Diesel ( new low heat rejection engines ) , United Defense - Ground Systems Division ( turret manufacturer ) , Watervliet Arsenal ( cannons and ballistic shielding ) and Alliant Tech Systems ( Automatic Fire Control System ) . Life cycle sustainment support for the M109 FOV is currently provided by multiple government and commercial organizations using many different processes to deliver both services and materials . Duplicative infrastructure and processes are common . Engineering / technical support is performed by multiple contractors and Army commands . Maintenance , overhaul , and repair is achieved through a complicated structure of organic shops that depend on the commercial sector for parts and other government agencies for technical guidance and funding . The production contractor and government supply system acquire and provide parts for initial provisioning , production , modification , repair ( field and depot ) , overhaul , and war reserves . The current support infrastructure limits opportunity for a coordinated effort to achieve cost reduction , implement best business practices , improve weapon system performance , and modernize equipment . Accountability is widely dispersed . By the end of 1999 the US Army TACOM - ARDEC Acquisition Center and the Product Manager for Paladin / FAASV intends to issue a contract for a Fleet Managemer for the M109 Family of Vehicles ( FOV ) . The Fleet Manager ( FM ) will be the single world class focal point for the M109 FOV life - cycle sustainment support , to include supply , engineering and limited life cycle support functions by having one point of contact and focal point for all M109 FOV life - cycle program management and weapon system support . The Pilot Program critical objective is to validate 20 - 30 % sustainment savings .