The M320 Spartan is a mobile artillery piece in use by the United States Joint Strike Force.
Overview
The main gun may be a classic, but the rest of the M320 is all high tech. An Advanced Modular Artillery Charge System, second-generation laser ignition system, and the ability to rapidly "shoot and scoot" make it America's most advanced self-propelled gun yet. The Spartan can also be upgraded with Grid Smasher rocket pods to give it more offensive firepower and is equipped with the same hybrid engine technology that the Fastback uses.
M320 Spartan
Tech Commentary
Few aspects of war are more jarring than incoming artillery fire. While much has changed by the year 2020, artillery is still mostly the same: big guns shooting big shells at long ranges. When development of the Future Combat Systems Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon first began the goal was to create a self-propelled howitzer that was "next generation" in every way, starting with a brand new gun.
Various types of guns were developed and tested for the M320 Spartan, but none were fully satisfactory. Eventually, a high-ranking Pentagon officer said, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". As a result, the JSF decided to continue to use the 155mm gun which has been depended upon by US troops for decades. The gun itself may not be new, but the ammunition it uses is state-of-the-art. Innovations in 155mm rounds have led to ultra-precise guided munitions that give the Spartan previously unheard-of levels of accuracy. Plus, the rounds themselves are deadlier than ever.
A barrage from a battery of Spartans is sure to wreck havoc upon the enemy. When upgraded with Grid Smasher rocket pods, the amount of firepower a single M320 can bring into play is enough to quickly level an entire city block. However, like all artillery units, Spartans cannot target units at short range and are easy prey for enemies at close range.
Specifications
- Length: 29' 6" (8.99 m)
- Width: 10' 1" (3.07m)
- Height: 10' 5" (3.18m)
- Weight: 26 tons
- Powerplant: 480hp hybrid engine
- Armament
- 155mm Howitzer
- Grid Smasher rocket pods (after upgrade)
Spartan Upgrades
Attack Upgrades:
- Fire Control - 100,000 CR (No Rank Requirement)
- Rail Cannon - 300,000 CR (Two Chevrons)
- Grid Smashers - 900,000 CR (Three Chevrons)
- Sensor Fused Rounds - 1,200,000 CR (One Star)
- Excalibur Guided Rounds - 1,500,000 CR (One Star)
Defense Upgrades:
- Armor Plate - 100,000 CR (No Rank Requirement)
- Countermeasures - 300,000 CR (No Rank Requirement)
- Nano Composite Armor - 900,000 CR (Two Chevrons)
Mobility Upgrades:
- Power Unit - 100,000 CR (No Rank Requirement)
- Hydrogen Cells - 300,000 CR (Two Chevrons)
Spartan Callsigns
Spartan call signs are related to firearms.
- Short Fuse
- Impact
- Bombard
- Longarm
- Shotgun
- Magnum
- Garand
- Gunny
Trivia
- The M320 is based on the NLOS cannon, a proposed next generation artillery piece. The cannon is supposed to be paired with the Excalibur round, the world's first smart artillery shell.
- The M320 is the only tracked artillery piece in the game.