I guess Canada had invested in a large repair pool of engines!

Further point, power supply failures reflect the fundamental flaw in the M109 design - no aux gene. Of course I'd also say that using hydraulics in AFVs is pretty dumb as well, electrical servos are better but you do have to ensure a good power supply.

Arty, Is there a plug for the muzzle brake end of the barrel? I have viewed many video's of the M777 coming into action and not one member of the gun crew removed anything from the muzzle brake end of the barrel.( "working-end" )

If it is indeed a misfire and not a 'check-fire' then two more attempts to fire are made. If this is unsuccesfull then a period of two minutes should be elapsed following which the primer is removed. If the primer has been 'fired' then 10 minutes from the initial attempt to fire should be allowed to elapse; you would then replace both the charge and the primer. Of course allowances will differ along with the procedures depending on the temperature of the cannon tube and whether there may be any unusual circumstances such as smoke and/or sparks evident.

ArtyEngineer - u still around. Myself and Capt. Morgan just sitting here fighting over the plus's and minus's of the M777. There is no clear cut winner in this discussion but some very good idea's have surfaced.

ArtyEngineer, if you are still with us. Have you had any field reports from Canadian Arty in Afghanistan?

Hey Smoke, Im still here, was actually wondering where you have been this last while. Havent heard a lot coming out of A'stan except that the howitzers are getting a lot of use. They have had some suspension problems that I am trying to get to the bottom of but apart from that I havent heard a lot.

ArtyEngineer, the Cdn. have had huge use of the M777 in Kandahar Province. We have just come out of a 3-day series of fights, some indicate 22 separate contacts, that those 155mm being very much in use. They have also factored big in a number of other engagements. The fights were so significant that multiple coalition forces were thrown into the battle and A-10's, Apache's added to the firepower thrown at the Taliban. Interesting to note they are using tunnels, spider holes, irrigation ditches, vineyards, and operating from villages to offset our tech superiority.

Would appear you guys are doing some deployments of the M777 by air, below are some pics from A'Stan showing the Triple7 under a US army Chinook http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f332/adjstewart/M777/M777Chinook.jpg">

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f332/adjstewart/M777/M777Chinook2.jpg">

"They have had some suspension problems" is that a recoil legacy issue?