The M198 Howitzer is a towed artillery piece used by the United States military and several other countries. It has a caliber of 155 mm and is designed to fire a variety of munitions, including high-explosive and smoke rounds. The howitzer can be towed by vehicles, making it versatile for different terrains and combat situations. Introduced in the 1980s, the M198 has a maximum range of approximately 18 kilometers (11 miles) with standard shells and up to 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) with rocket-assisted projectiles. It is operated by a crew of around 8 soldiers and is known for its reliability and effectiveness in providing indirect fire support on the battlefield.