If you have enemies at a considerable distance and you want to neutralize them as a whole, artillery can get the job done. One of the best examples available to the U.S. Army comes from the M109 Paladin. Between nearly 15 and 19 miles, the M109 howitzer can send it with fury bestowing a deadly blow to its target. It’s an important piece of machinery. And, its one that the military is likely not fond of getting hit by a train, as is the case in September 2024.
How Much Does a M109 Paladin Cost?
The M109 Paladin can vary in cost depending on its model, specs, and economic conditions.
However, since 2015, the M109A7 model has been in service. A recent agreement modification can help us calculate an estimate.
A deal between the Army and BAE Systems shows sets of the M109A7 self-propelled howitzer (SPH) and the M992A3 Carrier, costs an average of $7,062,500 per pair.
While far from the most expensive item purchased by the U.S. military, it’s also not the smallest drop in the bucket either.
Dropping more than $7 million for artillery is a lot of tax dollars at work, which is why the military is investigating an unfortunate incident in which a M109 Paladin howitzer was hit by a train.
Freight Train 1 Artillery 0
The community of Goose Creek, South Carolina had a bit of excitement. This was after a train struck an M109 Paladin that was in transit.
A semi-truck was stuck on a railroad track when a CSX freight train came barreling in with no chance of stopping.
The result would see the train hit the truck and while the M109 Paladin did relatively well against the locomotive, vital components were harshly damaged.
Upon impact, the turret was spun around and hit multiple times. Thankfully, no one was hurt, though the truck and trailer were destroyed.
Debris was found in the aftermath and local authorities and cleanup crews were quick to respond to the area.
It’s an ongoing investigation at this time. There are questions about who owns the artillery and how it came to be stuck on a railroad crossing.
So far, it seems nearby Joint Base Charleston may not be involved. The 18th Field Artillery Brigade at Fort Liberty in North Carolina has already denied involvement.
Since the Paladin was on a trailer instead of the ground, the train didn’t derail.
While the Paladin’s chassis will likely be salvageable, its turret and cannon have visible, notable damage. This will require considerable repairs or replacement before it can safely fire again.
M109 Paladins in Action
A solid range, a deadly strike, and the ability to quickly, yet accurately hit targets are some of the many reasons the M109 Paladin is loved by the Army.
After debuting during the Vietnam War, M109 Paladins made a name for themselves. A part of that was seen in the unfortunate incident with the freight train crash in South Carolina. Having a durable frame matters when you’re any piece of equipment headed to the battlefield.
Due to less-than-impressive performances by the M1299 howitzer, it appears that the lifespan of the M109 Paladin is going to continue into the future. This is because a replacement artillery option is yet to emerge.
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