For anyone who is interested here a selection of my M777 clips which I was able to upload to a hosting site. Some Mobility and Transportation Footage, file size is 20 MB, file type is Quicktime Movie Click here to watch 'M777-Mobility-Testing' M777 being Emplaced, file size about 3 MB, file type Quicktime Movie: Click here to watch 'M777-Emplacement' M777 Firing at 29 Palms last year, file size about 11 MB, file type Quicktime Movie Click here to watch 'M777-Firing' M777 being displaced. File Size about 3MB, file type Quicktime Movie. Click here to watch 'M777-Displacement' And finally not related to the Triple 7, but because it is cool here is the terminal effects of an excalibur round. Click here to watch 'Excalibur1'

ArtyEngineer - Braking system on the M777, I believe its air/hydraulic. Have the Canadian M777 the same system? Ever have a problem with airlines freezing up?

Were you able to access the video clips I stuck on that site? Regarding the airlines, yep air/hydraulic, operated by an Service line and an Emergency line. Constant pressure in the Emergency line (From the towing vehicle) keeps a valve closed on a store of compressed air on the weapon itself. The service line as the name suggests is the line which applies air to the brakes system when the prime mover brakes. It the event of a break awasy of the howitzer the interruption of the emergency line will automatically apply the brakes, pretty standard set up really. When you refer to freezing do you mean the hose becoming brittle and as a result cracking or do you mean moisture within the brakes system freezing and forming a blockage? To my knowledge neither have ever occured during our time in Alaska, or Cold Chamber Testing in Arizona.

Your videos are very much welcomed, I thank you for them. As for the brakes on the M777. After my military life I worked as a mechanic, mostly highway trucks and heavy equipment. So I am well versed on brakes. From experience airlines do freeze(plug) from moisture in the system. Todays vehicles with airbrake systems have a dryer install within the system. As for the M777, my concern is the 10 to 20 ft of airline running from the tow vehicle to the gun(exposed to elements). Vehicle pulls into gun site, crew disengages the airlines from vehicle. warm air has been flowing through airlines. Now you coil the airline up on the gun I believe, warm air becomes moisture, moisture freezes(winter) and end of hose is exposed to elements. Not sure of type of connector used, on highway trucks we use " gladhands " Am I making sense?

We use teh same glad hands connectors. The entire braking system is actualy a comercial off the sheld set up, so if trucks and trailers are suceptible to this then I would have to say the triple 7 is as well, we have just never seen it happen. How can this be mitigated? When the airlines are stowed on the weapon the Glad Hands are clipped in to dummy connectors to keep the lines closed from the elements, this should help a bit, but as you say warm air containg moisture when cooled is going to form ice crystals.

Arty, the dummy gladhands will keep out the elements. You mentioned that the gun has an onboard airtank, when the airline is dis-engaged from the tow vehicle does the air tank empty or is there a one-way check valve to prevent it. Is there a bleed screw on the guns airtank? If so it should be bleed at regular intervils. This will give you an idea of the amount of moisture within the system and help in keeping rust out of the system. Rust is not good. Another point, your emergency brake spring is compressed while traveling by pressure. These springs are known to break, not a concern on a highway truck because there are four brake chambers on the rear axles. On the gun if one emergency brake spring breaks if the emergency brake is applied the gun will slide in the direction of the working emergency brake. Not good If it was me, I would look at these problems from a mechanics POV and try to dupilicate these problems in testing. The gun may never have any of these problems, but " what if"

Smoke, Here is a link to Marine Corps Artillery Detachment at Ft Sill Webpage. You can download the new student handout. Some very good stuff there. - LW155 page Regarding Breaks, below is the diagram of teh M777 Braking system, as you can see the resevoir on the weapon does have a relief valve, and on checking the manual it is part of the daily PMCS to release any residual pressure. http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f332/adjstewart/M777/06_Brakes.jpg"width="600"height="424">

The student handout has very useful information. I noticed that the guns airtank has a drain valve. Noticed that if the elevation control belt breaks, you have to elevate the gun with a half inch ratchet and six inch extension. ouch! Could you not weld a smaller crank wheel to the six inch extension to speed up the procedure. Will not enjoy this weekend, we lost four soldiers today to a IED. One was artillery

"Noticed that if the elevation control belt breaks, you have to elevate the gun with a half inch ratchet and six inch extension. ouch! Could you not weld a smaller crank wheel to the six inch extension to speed up the procedure." - Smoke Yes you can, actually you can transfer the existing handwheel onto the entension by means of a bracket which has the same bolt pattern.

Warning :This picture may alarm some of you out there used to bigger heavier howitzers!!! ;) This pic shows the M777 firing Toop Charge (M203A1) at minimum allowable QE (300 mils) with the spades dug to a depth of 3" http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f332/adjstewart/M777/Picture1.jpg"width="600"height="474">

After firing this round the spades are fully seated and any subsequent movement is greatly reduced.