Paladin

Paladin•noun •definition: A heroic champion; A defender or advocate of noble cause.

The paladins, sometimes known as the Twelve Peers, were the foremost warriors of Charlemagne's court according to the literary cycle known as the Matter of France. They first appear in The Song of Roland where they represent Christian martial valor against the Saracen hordes. The paladins and their associated exploits are largely later fictional inventions, with some basis on historical Frankish retainers of the 8th century and events such as the Battle of Roncevaux Pass and the confrontation of the Frankish Empire with Umayyad Al-Andalus in the Marca Hispanica.

The earliest recorded instance of the word paladin in the English language dates to 1592, in a poem by Samuel Daniel. It entered English through the Middle French word palladin or paladin, which itself derived from the Italian paladino. All these words for Charlemagne's Twelve Peers likely descend ultimately from the Latin palatinus through the Old French palatin. The Latin palatinus referred to an official of the Roman Emperor connected to the imperial palace on the Palatine Hill; over time this word came to refer to other high-level officials in the imperial and royal courts.  The word palatine, appearing in various European countries in the medieval and modern eras, has the same derivation.

By the 13th century words referring specifically to Charlemagne's peers began appearing in European languages; the earliest is the Italian paladino. Modern French has paladin, Spanish has paladín or paladino (reflecting alternate derivations from the French and Italian), while German has paladin.  By extension "paladin" has come to refer to any chivalrous hero such as King Arthur's Knights of the Round Table.

The M-109 Paladin is a self-propelled howitzer that can fire four rounds per minute up to 22,000 meters or 30,000 meters assisted. The M109A6 Paladin is the latest advancement in 155mm self-propelled artillery. The system enhances previous versions of the M109 by implementing onboard navigational and automatic fire control systems. Paladin has both a Kevlar-lined chassis and a pressurized crew compartment to guard against ballistic, nuclear, biological, and chemical threats.

The M109A6 is the most technologically advanced cannon in the Army inventory. This weapon has a 4 man crew, and weights approximately 62,000 lbs/32 tons, and has a cruising range of 186 miles, Max speed is 35 MPH, It has a fuel capacity of 133 gals. The Paladin can operate independently, from on the move, it can receive a fire mission, compute firing data, select and take up its firing position, automatically unlock and point its cannon, fire and move out - all with no external technical assistance. Firing the first round from the move in under 60 seconds, a "shoot and scoot" capability protects the crew from counterbattery fire.  The Paladin features increased survivability characteristics such as day/night operability, NBC protection with climate control and secure voice and digital communications. The crew remains in the vehicle throughout the mission.

This highly advanced piece of equipment serves in the United States artillery.  It works in war to protect America and her citizens.  The M109A6 is used in battle to destroy the enemies of the United States. Paladin: protector of a noble cause.