"The increase in M107 175mm Self-Propelled Artillery critical malfunctions during the 1969-1970 calendar year period has prompted a joint-command effort to conduct an overall comprehensive investigation to determine the cause of these failures. The WECOM portion of this investigation is directed at the weapon loader-rammer system. An analysis of the past field failures has indicated the the loader-rammer system interface with the projectile and the cannon assembly may be a potential contributing factor to a critical malfunction. The reported critical malfunctions have been categorized as a premature in-bore, a blown breech, or a close-in premature. Reports from on-site investigations have revealed that the loader-rammer equipment conditions were below normal with occasional inoperative equipment in excess of 40%. The past critical malfunctions have occurred with operation in the automatic, manual crank and manual staff ramming modes and with projectiles seated. This review program has been initiated to investigate the operational performance of the loader-rammer system and to obtain technical test data for verification and comparison with previously conducted tests of a similar nature."--Page 1.

"June 1971"--Title page.

Introduction --Equipment & material -- Procedure -- Results & discussions -- Conclusions & recommendations -- Appendix A WECOM test program request, REV-SPA-104 -- Appendix B M572 PD fuze live firing report, JPG -- Appendix C M572 PD fuze, Harry Diamond Laboratories letter report.