This We'll Defend T H E W E A P O N S A N D E Q U I P M E N T O F T H E U. S. A R M Y Russell Phillips Shilka Publishing w w w. s h i l k a. c o. u k
Copyright 2013 by Russell Phillips. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed Attention: Permissions Coordinator, at the address below. Shilka Publishing Apt 2049 Chynoweth House Trevissome Park Truro TR4 8UN www.shilka.co.uk Book Layout 2013 BookDesignTemplates.com Ordering Information: Quantity sales. Special discounts are available on quantity purchases by corporations, associations, and others. For details, contact the Special Sales Department at the address above. This We'll Defend/ Russell Phillips. 1st ed.
Contents Tracked Vehicles...1 Individual and Crew-Served Weapons...13 Helicopters...31 Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) Systems...45 Anti-Armour Weapons...51 Indirect Fire Systems...57 Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) Defence Equipment...77 Wheeled Vehicles...93 About Russell Phillips...113
The general of the sea has need of only one science, that of navigation. The one on land has need of all, or of a talent which is the equivalent of all, that will enable him to profit by all experience, and all knowledge. A general of the sea has nothing to divine. He knows where his enemy is, he knows his strength. A general on land never knows anything with certainty, never sees his enemy well, and never knows positively where he is. Napoléon Bonaparte
Tracked Vehicles Each war proves anew to those who may have had their doubts, the primacy of the main battle tank. Between wars, the tank is always a target for cuts. But in wartime, everyone remembers why we need it, in its most advanced, upgraded versions and in militarily significant numbers. IDF Brigadier General Yahuda Admon (retired) Since their first appearance in the latter part of World War I, tanks have increasingly dominated military thinking. Armies became progressively more mechanised during World War II, with many infantry being carried in armoured carriers by the end of the war. The armoured personnel carrier (APC) evolved into the infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), which is able to support the infantry as well as simply transport them. Modern IFVs have a similar level of battlefield mobility to the tanks, allowing tanks and infantry to operate together and provide mutual support.
2 This We'll Defend Abrams Mission Provide heavy armour superiority on the battlefield. Entered Army Service 1980 Description and Specifications The Abrams tank closes with and destroys enemy forces on the integrated battlefield using mobility, fire power, and shock effect. There are three variants in service: M1A1, M1A2, and M1A2 SEP. The 120mm main gun, combined with the powerful 1,500 HP turbine engine and special armour, make the Abrams tank particularly suitable for attacking or defending against large concentrations of heavy armour forces on a highly lethal battlefield. Features of the M1A1 modernisation program include increased armour protection; suspension improvements; and an improved nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) protection system that increases survivability in a contaminated environment. The M1A1D modification
This We'll Defend 3 consists of an M1A1 with integrated computer and a far-target-designation capability. The M1A2 modernisation program includes a commander's independent thermal viewer, an improved commander's weapon station, position navigation equipment, a distributed data and power architecture, an embedded diagnostic system and improved fire-control systems. The M1A2 System Enhancement Program (SEP) adds second-generation thermal sensors and a thermal management system. The SEP includes upgrades to processors/memory that enable the M1A2 to use the Army's common command and control software, enabling the rapid transfer of digital situational data and overlays. M1A1 Length: 32.04 ft Width: 12 ft Height: 8 ft Top Speed: 41.5 mph Weight: 67.6 tons Main Armament: 120mm Crew: 4
4 This We'll Defend M1A2 Length: 32.04 ft Width: 12 ft Height: 8 ft Top Speed: 41.5 mph Weight: 68.4 tons Main Armament: 120mm Crew: 4 M1A2 SEP Length: 32.04 ft Width: 12 ft Height: 8 ft Top Speed: 42 mph Weight: 69.5 tons Main Armament: 120mm Crew: 4 Manufacturer General Dynamics (Sterling Heights, MI; Warren, MI; Muskegon, MI; Scranton, PA; Lima, OH; Tallahassee, FL)
Bradley Mission This We'll Defend 5 Provides protected transport of an infantry squad on the battlefield, and supporting fire when the squad is dismounted. Also employed to suppress and defeat enemy tanks, reconnaissance vehicles, infantry fighting vehicles, armoured personnel carriers, bunkers, dismounted infantry, and attack helicopters. Performs cavalry scout and other essential missions in the 21st century (fire support and Stinger teams are carried in Bradleys). The infantry version (M2) is used most often to close with the enemy by means of fire and manoeuvre. The primary tasks performed by the cavalry version (M3) as part of a troop and/or squadron are reconnaissance, security, and flank-guard missions. Entered Army Service 1981
6 This We'll Defend Description and Specifications The Bradley M2A3 Infantry / M3A3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicle is configured as follows: Length: 21 ft 2 in Width: 11.83 ft with armour tiles 10.75 ft without armour tiles Height: 11.8 ft Weight: 50,000 lbs unloaded 67,000 lbs combat loaded Power Train: 600 HP Cummins VTA-903T diesel engine with GM-Allison HMPT-500-3SEC hydro-mechanical automatic transmission Cruising Range: 250 miles Crew: M2A3: 9 (3 crew; 6 dismounts) M3A3: 5 (3 crew; 2 dismounts) Armament: 25-mm M242 Bushmaster cannon, TOW II missile system, 7.62 mm M240C machine gun Vehicle features Two second-generation forward looking infra-red (FLIR) sensors in the Improved Bradley Acquisition System (IBAS) and Commander's Independent Viewer (CIV) provide "Hunter-Killer target hand-off" capability with a ballistic fire-control system. Embedded diagnostics
This We'll Defend 7 Integrated combat command and control (IC3) digital communications suite hosting Force XXI Battle Command Brigade-and-Below package with digital maps, messages, and friend/foe situational awareness. Position navigation system with GPS and inertial navigation system. Enhanced squad situational awareness with squad leader display integrated into vehicle digital images and IC3. Manufacturer United Defense, L.P. (San Jose, CA; Fayette, PA; York, PA; Arlington, VA)