Data Quality87%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the self-propelled artillery category.
01 / Overview
M55 self-propelled howitzer
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1970–
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
SELF-PROPELLED ARTILLERY · COLD WAR
26
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
68
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the self-propelled artillery category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General5MOD.5
- Service Entry Year1952
- Combat Weight44,000 kg
- Crew6
- Carriage TypeSelf-Propelled
- In ServiceYes
◈Ordnance7MOD.7
- Calibre203 mm
- Barrel Length (calibres)25
- Ordnance TypeM47 8-inch howitzer
- Breech TypeSliding Block
- Recoil SystemHydro-Pneumatic
- Muzzle BrakeNo
- Bore EvacuatorNo
▣Performance5MOD.5
- Maximum Range (standard)16.9 km
- Muzzle Velocity594 m/s
- Rate of Fire (sustained)0.5
- Elevation-5 to +65 degrees
- Traverse30 degrees left or right
◇Ammunition9MOD.9
- Projectile Weight90.7 kg
- Ammunition TypesHE, chemical (M650), tactical nuclear (M422)
- Charge Zones7
- HE RoundYes
- Smoke RoundNo
- Illumination RoundNo
- Cluster / DPICMNo
- Precision-Guided RoundNo
- MRSI CapableNo
◆Fire Control5MOD.5
▤Mobility8MOD.8
- Self-PropelledYes
- Emplacement Time5
- Displacement Time2
- Shoot-and-ScootNo
- Road Speed (if SP)48 km/h
- Range (if SP)257 km
- AutoloaderNo
- Protected Crew CabYes
⬢Ammunition Handling2MOD.2
- Ready Rounds10
- Total Rounds Carried10
▲Dimensions3MOD.3
- Length9.75 m
- Width3.15 m
- Height3.1 m
◎Production2MOD.2
- Total Production400
- Production Start1,956 year
◈Self-Propelled Chassis6MOD.6
- Engine Power810 hp
- TransmissionAllison CD-850-4A
- Suspensiontorsion bar
- Hull Armour25 mm
- Secondary Armament.50 cal M2HB machine gun ; (900 rounds)
- NBC ProtectionNo
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1945First deployment: Cold War
- 1970Production started
56
years in service
6
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 1 countries retired it.
04 / Conflicts
M55 SELF-PROPELLED HOWITZER · CONFLICTS SERVED IN100% win
Total Conflicts
1
Victories
1
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Operators
Operator Countries7country
06 / MASS Score
SELF-PROPELLED ARTILLERY RANKING Self-Propelled Artillery · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
125SELF-PROPELLED ARTILLERY26COLD WAR · SELF-PROPELLED ARTILLERY2094UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS148PERFORMANCE/PRICE · SELF-PROPELLED ARTILLERY
ⓘ Rankings are within theSelf-Propelled Artillerycategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE5terms
High Explosive (HE) round: an artillery or mortar projectile containing explosive filler designed to inflict damage through blast and fragmentation effects.
Recoil system using a combination of liquid and compressed gas to absorb and return energy from firing.
An armored crew compartment on towed artillery or mortar systems designed to protect operators from small arms fire, shrapnel, and blast effects during operation.
Artillery system with integrated propulsion, enabling movement under its own power rather than being towed.
A breech mechanism in artillery where a solid block slides horizontally to open and close the breech for loading.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources