This U.S. Artillery System Can Hit Targets Hundreds of Miles Away
The United States fields one of the most advanced artillery forces in the world. While some nations may have more artillery systems on paper, American firepower is defined by precision, range, mobility, and the ability to coordinate strikes across the battlefield.
With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the artillery systems that give the U.S. military such a powerful long-range advantage, including how they work, what makes them effective, and why they remain such an important part of modern combat.
20. M252 81-mm
Max range: 3.6 miles (5.8 kilometers) -- tied
Fastest rate of fire: 30 rounds per minute for 2 minutes
Sustained rate of fire: 15 rounds per minute
19. LAV-M
Max range: 3.6 miles (5.8 kilometers) -- tied
Fastest rate of fire: 30 rounds per minute for 2 minutes
Sustained rate of fire: 15 rounds per minute
18. M30 107-mm
Max range: 4.47 miles (7.2 kilometers) -- tied
Fastest rate of fire: 18 rounds per minute for 1 minute
Sustained rate of fire: 3 rounds per minute
17. M125
Max range: 4.47 miles (7.2 kilometers) -- tied
Fastest rate of fire: 16 rounds per minute for 1 minute
Sustained rate of fire: 4 rounds per minute
16. M1064
Max range: 4.47 miles (7.2 kilometers) -- tied
Fastest rate of fire: 16 rounds per minute for 1 minute
Sustained rate of fire: 4 rounds per minute
15. M120 120-mm
Max range: 4.47 miles (7.2 kilometers) -- tied
Fastest rate of fire: 16 rounds per minute for 1 minute
Sustained rate of fire: 4 rounds per minute
14. EFSS
Max range: 4.47 miles (7.2 kilometers) -- tied
Fastest rate of fire: 16 rounds per minute for 1 minute
Sustained rate of fire: 4 rounds per minute
13. LAV-EFSS
Max range: 4.47 miles (7.2 kilometers) -- tied
Fastest rate of fire: 16 rounds per minute for 1 minute
Sustained rate of fire: 4 rounds per minute
12. EFOGM
Max range: 9.3 miles (15 kilometers)
Fastest rate of fire: 9 minute reload (8-24 rockets)
Sustained rate of fire: Not applicable
11. Hawkeye MWS
Max range: 12.1 miles (19.5 kilometers)
Fastest rate of fire: 8 rounds per minute for 3 minutes
Sustained rate of fire: 3 rounds per minute
10. M109
Max range: 14.2 miles (23 kilometers) -- tied
Fastest rate of fire: 4 rounds per minute for 3 minutes
Sustained rate of fire: 1 round per minute
9. M992 FAASV
Max range: 14.2 miles (23 kilometers) -- tied
Fastest rate of fire: 4 rounds per minute for 3 minutes
Sustained rate of fire: 1 round per minute
8. M109A7 Paladin
Max range: 18.6 miles (30 kilometers) -- tied
Fastest rate of fire: 4 rounds per minute for 3 minutes
Sustained rate of fire: 1 round per minute
7. M198
Max range: 18.6 miles (30 kilometers) -- tied
Fastest rate of fire: 4 rounds per minute for 3 minutes
Sustained rate of fire: 2 rounds per minute
6. FCS NLOS
Max range: 18.6 miles (30 kilometers) -- tied
Fastest rate of fire: 10 rounds per minute
Sustained rate of fire: 10 rounds per minute
5. M2001 Crusader
Max range: 24.8 miles (40 kilometers) -- tied
Fastest rate of fire: 10-12 rounds per minute for 3-5 minutes
Sustained rate of fire: 6 rounds per minute
4. M777 LW155
Max range: 24.8 miles (40 kilometers) -- tied
Fastest rate of fire: 5-8 rounds per minute for 2 minutes
Sustained rate of fire: 2 rounds per minute
3. M1299 ERCA
Max range: 43.5 miles (70 kilometers)
Fastest rate of fire: 3 rounds per minute
Sustained rate of fire: 3 rounds per minute
2. M270/M993 MLRS
Max range: 186 miles (300 kilometers)
Fastest rate of fire: 9 minute reload (12 rockets)
Sustained rate of fire: Not applicable
1. M-142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS)
Max range: 310 miles (499 kilometers)
Fastest rate of fire: 5 minute reload (2-6 rockets)
