Data Quality87%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the towed artillery & mortars category.
01 / Overview
M252
Category
Country
Production
1987–
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
TOWED ARTILLERY & MORTARS · COLD WAR
12
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
88
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the towed artillery & mortars category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- Service Entry Year1987
- Combat Weight41.3 kg
- Travel Weight41.3 kg
- Crew5
- Carriage TypeSplit Trail
- In ServiceYes
◈Ordnance7MOD.7
- Calibre81 mm
- Barrel Length (calibres)15.7
- Ordnance Typesmooth bore, muzzle-loaded
- Breech TypeScrew
- Recoil SystemNone / Rigid
- Muzzle BrakeNo
- Bore EvacuatorNo
▣Performance5MOD.5
- Minimum Range0.091 km
- Maximum Range (standard)5.935 km
- Rate of Fire (sustained)12
- Elevation45°–85.2°
- Traverse5.6°
◇Ammunition4MOD.4
- Projectile Weight4.536 kg
- Ammunition TypesHE, smoke, illumination, training
- HE RoundYes
- Precision-Guided RoundNo
◆Mobility4MOD.4
- Self-PropelledNo
- Shoot-and-ScootNo
- AutoloaderNo
- Protected Crew CabNo
▤Dimensions1MOD.1
- Length1.27 m
⬢Production1MOD.1
- Production Start1,987 year
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1945First deployment: Cold War
- 1987Production started
39
years in service
6
countries operating
04 / Conflicts
M252 · CONFLICTS SERVED IN50% win·50% loss
Total Conflicts
4
Victories
2
Ongoing
0
Losses
2
2011–2024Syrian Civil WarDecisive victory→2003–2011Iraq WarDecisive victory→1979–1989Soviet-Afghan WarDecisive victory→1955–1975Vietnam WarDecisive victory→
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
06 / MASS Score
TOWED ARTILLERY & MORTARS RANKING Towed Artillery & Mortars · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
40TOWED ARTILLERY & MORTARS12COLD WAR · TOWED ARTILLERY & MORTARS163UNITED KINGDOM · ALL WEAPONS35PERFORMANCE/PRICE · TOWED ARTILLERY & MORTARS
ⓘ Rankings are within theTowed Artillery & Mortarscategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE4terms
High Explosive (HE) round: an artillery or mortar projectile containing explosive filler designed to inflict damage through blast and fragmentation effects.
A breech mechanism in artillery where a cylindrical plug with spiral threads is rotated to open or close the breech.
A towed artillery carriage configuration where the gun is transported with its two wheels separated, allowing for easier deployment and lower profile when in firing position.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources