The XM104 was a U.S.-developed self-propelled amphibious/air-droppable/heliborne 105 mm howitzer. Pilot models of the howitzer were built by the U.S. Army Ordnance Tank Automotive Command's Experimental Division at the Detroit Tank Arsenal shops, Warren, Mich. A follow-up model is known as XM204.
== Mobility == The vehicle represented a new concept of self-propelled artillery, it could be stripped for air delivery by helicopter, parachute drop or ground-landing by the Army's DHC-4 Caribou and Air Force C-130 Hercules. Brig. Gen. J. Frederick Thorlin, Commanding General of OTAC, said the full-tracked vehicle, designated the XM104, was developed in answer to the Army's urgent request for a "heavyweight puncher with featherweight mobility."
== Characteristics == XM104 had a 4-man crew, was to travel at 35 miles per hour, negotiate swamps and desert sand, cross rivers and lakes. Combat weight of the vehicle was around 6,400 pounds.
== Capabilities == The XM104 was designed to provide ground troops with a "scatback" artillery piece which could travel anywhere in the world with airborne combat troops. Once on line, it could follow right behind infantry or armour units.
== XM204 == A similar designation is known with the model XM204 Soft Recoil Howitzer, which had swamp-rollers and could be towed by trucks. With this artillery piece the army examined also an airborne version with Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopters. The aerial artillery design Study is known as: Two Externally Mounted XM204 Howitzers on a CH-47C Helicopter
References
OTAC Developing Self-Propelled Howitzer, XM-104. // Army Research and Development, June 1962, v. 3, no. 6, p. 15. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
