From what I've been told by people who have operated a split trail system like the M2A2 or the M-198 its a matter of pushing the trails together and rolling the gun to where you want it, if firing outside the +-400ml ark is required. I don't know enough about the M777 to comment, beyond the fact that I believe that its a split trails system so is probably similar.

 

I've just spoken to an ex M2A2 gunner tonight and he informs me that you do have to actually drag the thing around to move outside the gun's arc, which takes some time. I presume the M198 and the M777 are the same. I think I was getting mixed up with it being quicker it is to get these guns into action compared to the Hamel, as I previously alluded to.

 

Anyway, the fact that the Hamel might be able to be shifted on to target quicker than the M777 doesn't change my view on the M777 being the preferred system. With the old sighting system a big switch on the Hamel also requires a switch of aiming point, which would add quite a bit of time to the actual amount of time it would take to get the gun firing in the other direction. Then you have to add the amount of time it takes to adjust onto a target with unguided shells.

 

With that in mind I can't imagine that the M777 with its digital targetting system and Excalibur is going to take any longer to be conducting effective fire than the old Hamel configuration, so at least we wouldn't be going backwards by purchasing it. Even if we fitted the new digital fire control system on the Hamel which cuts out the change of aimpoints, I don't see how being able to get on target a bit quicker is going to outweigh the benefits of the M777. It is a choice of getting rounds of the ground maybe 30 to 60 seconds earlier with the 105mm versus the M777's ability to provide closer, more accurate and more effective fire at twice the range and behind crests that the Hamel can't reach. Given the choice of later fire or none at all in many instances, I know which system I'd rather have behind me if I were a grunt.

http://www.youtube.com/v/V-lj5QvZYBo&hl=en" target="_blank">link width=425 height=344 type=application/x-shockwave-flash>http://www.youtube.com/v/OjU0bUWnS5Y&hl=en" target="_blank">link width=425 height=344 type=application/x-shockwave-flash>

 

Excalibur Vid and M777 coming into action.

http://www.youtube.com/v/OjU0bUWnS5Y&hl=en" href="=http://www.youtube.com/v/OjU0bUWnS5Y&hl=en" srclink width=425 height=344 type=application/x-shockwave-flash>

 

 

...at app 1:55-2:03,

I like the "cost no more than $39,000" part.

 

Definitely bargain-basement precision if they can keep it on that mark.

(Will there be any discount for buying in bulk?)