M108 was a turreted 105 mm self-propelled howitzer using the same general chassis family as the M109.
The M108 was a U.S.-designed 105 mm self-propelled howitzer developed in the early 1960s. Weaponsystems.net covers M108 as a self-propelled howitzer, and Army Recognition describes the platform as a 105 mm tracked howitzer related to the more widely fielded M109 family. The SPH category is appropriate.
The design gave mobile artillery units a protected tracked chassis and 105 mm gun with turreted fire capability.
Compared with towed 105 mm guns, M108 offered better tactical mobility and quicker displacement. Its turreted layout allowed all-around traverse from a fire base or defensive position. The drawback was that 105 mm firepower was soon judged less useful than 155 mm self-propelled artillery for many army roles.
M108 is historically important but was outcompeted by the heavier 155 mm M109 concept.
The platform demonstrated the value of self-propelled light artillery, but the M109's heavier shell and broader utility made it more successful. M108 still served with several foreign operators and remains relevant as part of the U.S. postwar SPH development family.
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