M109G

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Revision as of 20:07, 12 November 2023 by ANTHONYVU (talk | contribs) (Description, survivability & armor, mobility, modifications & economy, main armament, machine guns, usage in battles, pros and cons.)

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Rank VII | Premium | Golden Eagles
Challenger DS Pack
germ_m109g.png
GarageImage M109G.jpg
M109G
AB RB SB
6.0 6.0 6.0
Research:46 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:155 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The M109G is a rank IV German tank destroyer with a battle rating of 6.0 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update "Kings of Battle".

General info

Survivability and armour

Smoke grenades
Creation of a smoke screen in front of the vehicle
Armourfront / side / back
Hull32 / 32 / 32
Turret32 / 32 / 32
Crew6 people
Visibility96 %

Similar to all other vehicles in the M109 family, the M109G lacks for armor whatsoever, and will only stop light machine gun rounds. Although, on paper, the vehicle is protected by ~30mm of armor frontally, it being made of aluminum reduces its effectiveness. Strafing aircraft, even those with only .50 cals, will be deadly to the M109.

The SPH has a generous 6 crew member count, five in the turret and one in the hull. Thanks to the gigantic gun breech, the turret crew sits far apart, with the gunner sitting on the left (from rear POV). Thus, a penetrating hit from AP/APHE shells will rarely one-shot you. They will most likely take out the large breech or destroy the gun barrel instead, far worse than losing a few crew members. Thankfully, the driver and engine sit away from the turret, oftentimes allowing you to escape after suffering a hit. Other HE/HEAT slingers, though (e.g. M109A1, 2S1), will perforate your vehicle no matter what. Overall, try not to be hit, and break cover only to fire.

Armour type:

Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull ___ mm ___ mm Top
___ mm Bottom
___ mm ___ - ___ mm
Turret ___ - ___ mm Turret front
___ mm Gun mantlet
___ - ___ mm ___ - ___ mm ___ - ___ mm
Cupola ___ mm ___ mm ___ mm ___ mm

Notes:

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB62 / 13 km/h
RB and SB57 / 12 km/h
Number of gears8 forward
4 back
Weight24.5 t
Engine power
AB773 hp
RB and SB405 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB31.6 hp/t
RB and SB16.5 hp/t

For an SPG, the M109G accelerates rather quickly, able to reach ~40 KPH off road rapidly. Of course, the -12 KPH reverse speed and neutral steering will also provide you with great agility.

Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 62 13 24.5 _,___ 773 __.__ 31.55
Realistic 57 12 _,___ 405 __.__ 16.53

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB2 324 → 3 016 Sl icon.png
RB2 737 → 3 552 Sl icon.png
SB3 594 → 4 665 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications40 400 Rp icon.png
78 400 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost1 400 Ge icon.png
Crew training45 000 Sl icon.png
Experts155 000 Sl icon.png
Aces630 Ge icon.png
Research Aces440 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
100 / 160 / 220 % Sl icon.png
160 / 160 / 160 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Research:
2 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 900 Sl icon.png
120 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Research:
1 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 500 Sl icon.png
110 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Research:
1 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 500 Sl icon.png
110 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Research:
3 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 600 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Research:
4 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
8 500 Sl icon.png
270 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Research:
4 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
8 500 Sl icon.png
270 Ge icon.png
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Research:
2 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 900 Sl icon.png
120 Ge icon.png
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Research:
1 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 500 Sl icon.png
110 Ge icon.png
Mods tank reinforcement ger.png
Crew Replenishment
Research:
3 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 600 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mods smoke screen.png
Smoke grenade
Research:
4 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
8 500 Sl icon.png
270 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Research:
2 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 900 Sl icon.png
120 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
155mm_M110_Smoke_ammo_pack
Research:
2 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 900 Sl icon.png
120 Ge icon.png
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Research:
1 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 500 Sl icon.png
110 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
155mm_M107_HE_PF_ammo_pack
Research:
1 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 500 Sl icon.png
110 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Research:
3 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 600 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Like with all ground vehicles, always research parts first. Proceed, then, to mitigate the terrible turret traverse with "Horizontal Drive" and (if you so desire) "Tracks". An improved "Brake System" and "Suspension" will help the gun stabilize faster. At Tier III, prioritize "Elevation Mechanism" for even better gun controls. Then, research smoke screen, or skip to engine upgrades.

Armaments

Main armament

155 mm M126E1 cannon
Ammunition28 rounds
First-order16 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
17.3 → 13.3 s
Vertical guidance-3° / 70°
Main article: M126 (155 mm)

What makes the M109G so lethal is its gun: a huge 155mm howitzer. Being a cold-war invention, the gun can fire HE rounds with 9 kilograms of TNT equivalent. When properly aimed, it will take out any tank, up to top-tier MBTs. To do so, aim at either the lower turret face or turret top to destroy the weak roof armor on tanks. Refrain from shooting the hull, as tracks will frequently absorb the round, or pure armor will prevent it from dealing damage. The stock HE shell should be your main choice.

There is an unlock able HE-VT round that can be utilized against planes, but its mere 3 meter trigger radius and low velocity discourages an AA play style. Another option, the M110 shell, will deploy a smoke screen wherever it lands. On other tanks, this may be useful in certain situations, yet the long reload time, and the fact that HE shells do not lose penetration over range, makes firing smoke questionable at best.

155 mm M126 Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 28 -3°/+75° ±180° N/A __._ __._ __._ __._ __._ _.__ _.__ _.__ _.__
Realistic __._ __._ __._ __._ __._

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
M107 HE 61 61 61 61 61 61
M107 (PF) HE-VT 61 61 61 61 61 61
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
mass (kg)
Fuse delay
(m)
Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (kg)
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
M107 HE 563 43.1 0.3 0.1 9.14 79° 80° 81°
Proximity-fused shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
mass (kg)
Fuse delay
(m)
Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Arming
distance (m)
Trigger
radius (m)
Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (kg)
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
M107 (PF) HE-VT 580 43.1 0 0 300 3 9.14 79° 80° 81°
Smoke shell characteristics
Ammunition Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
mass (kg)
Screen radius
(m)
Screen deploy
time (s)
Screen hold
time (s)
Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
M110 717 44.63 21 5 30 50

Ammo racks

Full
ammo
1st
rack empty
2nd
rack empty
3rd
rack empty
4th
rack empty
5th
rack empty
6th
rack empty
Visual
discrepancy
28 __ (+__) __ (+__) __ (+__) __ (+__) __ (+__) __ (+__) __

Machine guns

Ammunition2 000 rounds
Belt capacity200 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate1 200 shots/min
Main article: MG3A1 (7.62 mm)

A main feature that separates the M109G from most others in the M109 family is the lack of a .50 cal defensive MG. Instead, a low-caliber 7mm is present, offering little protection against planes. Never rely on this gun, and certainly do not fire at planes with this (unless they are diving at you), since it will attract their attention to a juicy target.

7.62 mm MG3A1
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
___ (___) ___ __° __°

Usage in battles

Originally designed to provide heavy fire support for armored forces by the United States Army, the M109G should be played in a similar role in War Thunder. Stick close to allies, and act as manually-aimed artillery, engaging enemies while they are distracted.

It is advised not to engage in a sniping engagement with other tanks, especially if you have the high ground. Due to the poor gun depression and difficult to master shell arc, it is extremely difficult to hit enemies at range. Instead, attempt to target enemies at medium to short range, preferably with immediate cover available after firing. Utilize the reverse speed to back away from cover, exposing only your turret, and fire. Never attempt to brawl on this vehicle; an inadequate turret traverse, coupled with painfully long reload speed, reduces your ability to quickly react.

If you consider putting bushes on this tank, place them on the large turret cheeks to disguise this tank when peeking out of cover. However, placing the bushes too high can increase your profile, making it more difficult to hide.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Quite mobile
  • Smoke grenades can cover you whilst reloading
  • Survivable against AP derivatives
  • Powerful armament, can one-shot anything
  • Neutral steering

Cons:

  • Only -3° gun depression
  • Slow turret traverse speed
  • Almost nonexistent armor
  • Long reload
  • Slow shell velocity and average optics zoom making it bad for sniping
  • No .50 cal HMG

History

 Devblog History

Development of the M109 began in the early 1950s under a U.S. program to develop a common chassis for a number of different SPH designs. Upon entering service, the M109 was immediately deployed to the Vietnam War. However, its operational service during the conflict was cut short due to serious mechanical malfunctions which rendered the fleet inoperable. Nonetheless, after being addressed and receiving its first upgrade to the A1 standard, the M109 would continue service with U.S. forces for decades to come, taking part in virtually all military conflicts where U.S. forces were deployed in. Once its design eventually matured, the M109 successfully resisted replacement on multiple occasions and continuously received upgrades until the present day.

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

External links


Germany tank destroyers
Pz. I Derivatives  Panzerjäger I
Pz. II Derivatives  15cm sIG 33 B Sfl
Pz. 38(t) Derivatives  Marder III · Marder III H · Jagdpanzer 38(t)
Pz. III Derivatives  StuG III A · StuG III F · StuG III G · StuH 42 G
Pz. IV Derivatives  Jagdpanzer IV · Panzer IV/70(A) · Panzer IV/70(V) · Dicker Max · Nashorn · Brummbär · VFW
Pz. V Derivatives  Jagdpanther G1 · Bfw. Jagdpanther G1
Pz. VI Derivatives  Sturer Emil · Elefant · Ferdinand · 38 cm Sturmmörser · Jagdtiger
Wheeled/Half-track  8,8 cm Flak 37 Sfl. · Sd.Kfz.251/9 · Sd.Kfz.251/10 · Sd.Kfz.251/22 · Sd.Kfz.234/3 · Sd.Kfz.234/4 · 15 cm Pz.W.42
ATGM Carrier  RakJPz 2 · RakJPz 2 (HOT) · Wiesel 1A2
Other  Waffenträger · M109G · JPz 4-5 · Raketenautomat · VT1-2