Military

M108 105mm Self-Propelled Howitzer

The M108 105mm Self-Propelled Howitzer was largely deployed in NATO areas and its ammunition was commonly used throughout NATO forces. Vehicles of this type remain in service in the militaries of some other countries, although it has been withdrawn from service in the US military. The M108 was being phased out of the US Army at the time of Vietnam because its gun was considered too light for battlefield support and 155mm calibre had been standardised in NATO.

Certain field force artillery units in Vietnam were equipped with the M108, a 105-mm. self-propelled weapon. The weapon was obsolescent but was still in the U.S. field artillery inventory. In Germany, it had been replaced by the 155-mm. self-propelled howitzer as the direct support artillery for U.S. armored and mechanized divisions. The M108 was too heavy to be lifted by helicopter, so its support of highly mobile light infantry forces in Vietnam was restricted. Still, the M108 was employed effectively in the area support role and, if the terrain permitted, in support of ground operations.