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We got up-close with the US Army's M109 Paladin - armed with a machine gun, a grenade launcher, and a massive cannon

Mar 8, 2018, 03:32 IST

I first came upon the five-man crew of this M992A2 Field Artillery Ammunition Supply Vehicle, which was stationed behind the Paladins.

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Mounted atop the ammunition supply vehicle is an MK19 automatic grenade launcher.

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The crew showed me how they carry the 155mm projectiles, which weigh over 100 pounds. Some artillerymen said they carry it over their shoulders too.

Thankfully I was able to throw it on my shoulder and not look like a wimp in front of a bunch of professional tough guys and women. But they all still got a kick out of it.

Thankfully I was able to throw it on my shoulder and not look like a wimp in front of a bunch of professional tough guys and women. But they all still got a kick out of it.

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We then meandered over to the two Paladin's stationed about 100 yards away from the supply vehicle.

I got to meet the platoon leader of the Paladin battery, 24-year-old First Lieutenant Elena Ruiz-Krause. And she certainly had an interesting story.

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The Paladin was first put into service in 1994, and has since been upgraded a number of times.

Its 155mm cannon can fire six rounds per minute, or three rounds per minute sustained, up to 11 miles away.

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Here's a view from the top, with the Paladin's .50 caliber M2 machine gun on the right.

And the inside gets really hot when it fires, which is why they keep the side hatch open.

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The six-man crew then invited me inside the hull.

The projectiles line the back side of the hull.

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And the belt of primers hang next to the breach.

Here's a view of the inside of the barrel.

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The driver sits in the front left.

And here's an outside view of where he sits.

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Once the other troops miles away were in position, the artillerymen let it rip — and the blast wave was so strong that it felt like someone lightly punched me in the chest.

Once the other troops miles away were in position, the artillerymen let it rip — and the blast wave was so strong that it felt like someone lightly punched me in the chest.

Lastly, here's a little video we put together of the crew doing a dry run, and then firing.

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