--- title: "This is what a silencer for howitzers looks like" description: "Yes, artillery silencers are a thing. The vehicle using the giant suppressor are M109G 155mm self-propelled howitzers." date: "2021-12-14" modified: "2022-10-12" authors: - name: "Blake Stilwell" job_title: "Editor-In-Chief, Air Force Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/blake/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-tactical/howitzers-silencer/" categories: - "Tactical" - "Weapons" --- # This is what a silencer for howitzers looks like ![]() For those moments when you absolutely, positively have to train your artillery but you don't want to wake the local population, accept no substitutes. Yes, artillery silencers are a thing. These photos were taken at an [artillery range in Germany](). The vehicle using the giant suppressor are M109G 155mm self-propelled howitzers. Apparently the locals don't like the sound of freedom. ![silencer]() *Pictured without a howitzer to suppress. (photo from TheFirearmBlog)* A report from the [Defense Technical Information Center]() reveals the U.S. Army has some silencers of its own, for both 105 mm and 120 mm to be used at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds. ![howitzer]() *The sides can be opened to allow the expansion of the muzzle blast. (photo from TheFirearmBlog)* Residents across Chesapeake Bay experience considerably louder noise than other nearby communities because the blast sound is highly directional with howitzers. Something had to be done. The steel construction allows for it to be lifted into position and used when firing at a 30-degree elevation. But it cannot be attached to the turret, because tests showed it affected recoil and harm the turret barrel. ![howitzer silencer]() *Looks like a weird hammer to me. How about you? (photo from TheFirearmBlog)* The Firearm Blog also found a patent for a [potential ]()[t]()[ank silencer](), which would attach to the muzzle of the tank's main turret. ![howitzer silencer]() *Seems cumbersome.* The holes on the silencer are kept as small as possible to keep the decibel levels lower, which is most effective behind and in front of the suppressor. The total cost of the construction is $100,000. Silencers can reduce artillery noise by as much as 20 decibels, which may not seem like much, but is the difference between listening to your television and listening to your blender. ## Author Blake Stilwell is We Are The Mighty's Editor-in-Chief, covering military news, entertainment, and history, along with veteran education, employment and entrepreneurship. He is a former U.S. Air Force combat cameraman with degrees in Graphic Design, Television and Film, International Relations, Public Relations, Business Management and Middle Eastern Affairs. After leaving the military, he began working in film and television production in New York and Los Angeles, work that included ABC News, NBC Olympics, and HBO Sports. He then spent two years in Washington with White House Communications, before joining the Near East Foundation. At NEF he served as an International Development Fellow, then Communications Officer, and finally, Media Officer for the Middle East and Africa. Based in the Palestinian Territory, he coordinated strategic communications between eight country offices, international media, and government and NGO partners. He began a career focused on writing and editing in 2015 with We Are The Mighty. He left in 2019 for Military.com, but returned as Editor-in-Chief in 2025. Blake’s work has been seen on CBS News, Fox News, CBC, The Chicago Tribune, Task & Purpose, Military Times, Recoil, Skillset, American History, and was shockingly even used in a Supreme Court argument. He is an avid traveler and small business owner in Ohio, where he spends most of his energy fixing up a very old house. ### Author social links [Facebook]() [Twitter]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()