M65 atomic cannon

The M65 atomic cannon, often called Atomic Annie,:92 was an artillery piece built by the United States and capable of firing a nuclear device. It was developed in the early 1950s, at the beginning of the Cold War; and fielded between April 1955 and December 1962, in West Germany, South Korea and on Okinawa.

M65 atomic cannon
A preserved M65 atomic cannon
TypeHeavy towed artillery
Place of originUnited States of America
Specifications
Mass172,865 lb
78,410 kg; 86.433 short tons
Length85 feet (26 m)
Width10 feet (3.0 m)
Height12 feet 2 inches (3.71 m)
Crew5–7

Caliber280 millimeters (11 in)
BreechWelin breech block-
Recoilhydro-pneumatic
Carriagedouble recoil, ball and socket traverse
Elevation55°:53
Traverse
  • 7.5° (fine)
  • 360° (by moving float)
Muzzle velocity2,500 feet per second (760 m/s)
Effective firing rangeapproximately 20 miles (30 km)

Main
armament
W9 (nuclear warhead)
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