Towed Artillery Digitization

In 2006, the U.S. Army received its first M777 Lightweight 155-mm Howitzers when 18 of them were delivered to the Army’s 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

Picatinny Arsenal reports that after the 2-11 completed some initial new equipment training and a live-fire battalion exercise using the basic M777 system at Pohakuloa Training Area on the Big Island of Hawaii, the howitzers were sent back to Schofield Barracks to be retrofitted with Digital Fire Control Systems, also known as Towed Artillery Digitization (TAD) that will provide the howitzer with the capability to communicate, navigate and aim, an upgrade that will increase their accuracy and responsiveness. Once retrofitted with the TAD, the howitzers will be designated as M777A1s.

According to a report on Military.com, the TAD “was developed especially for the M777. This digital fire control system matches the fire control capabilities on many modern self-propelled artillery pieces. An example is the M109A6 Paladin, which features automatic gun positioning, automotive improvements and driver night vision equipment. Similarly, the M777's TAD provides onboard ballistic computation, navigation, pointing and self-location, making for greater accuracy. Electric drives, elevation gears, and a powered projectile rammer are also loaded on the TAD, to reduce crew fatigue and increase reaction times.”

Learn more about TAD.