M163 VADS
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 Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment drive an M163 during Operation Desert Shield
| |
| M163 VADS General characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Length | m |
| Width | 2.86 m |
| Height | 2.92 m |
| Weight | t |
| Suspension | torsion bar, 5 road wheels |
| Speed | 64 km/h road ? km/h off-road |
| Range | 360l fuel tank, 480 km |
| Primary armament | M168 General Dynamics 20 mm Vulcan gun 2,100 rounds |
| Secondary armament | ? |
| Armour | Rolled 5083/5086 H32 aluminium, 29-45 mm |
| Power plant | General Motors 6V53, 6 cylinder two stroke diesel 212 horsepower>hp (158 kW) |
| Crew | 4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver) |
The Vulcan Air Defense System (VADS) is a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (SPAAG) used by the US Army. It is also known as the M163. The M168 gun is a variant of the General Dynamics 20 mm M61 Vulcan rotary cannon—the standard cannon in most US combat aircraft since the 1960s.
The weapon is either mounted on a modified M113 vehicle (the M741 carrier) or on a towed trailer, which is designated the M167. The systems were designed to complement the M48 Chaparral missile system. The M163's uses a small range only radar, the AN/VPS-2, and an M61 optical lead-calculating sight. The gun fires at 3,000 rounds per minute, firing bursts of either 10, 30, 60, or 100-rounds. The system is not suitable for night operations and was slated to be replaced by the M247 Sergeant York DIVADS (Divisional Air Defense System), but that system was cancelled due to cost overruns and technical problems.
Although it was designed primarily as an air defense weapon, the Vulcan gun system had a secondary use as a ground support weapon. For example, VADS guns were used to support American ground assault troops in Panama in 1989 during Operation Just Cause. One Vulcan of B btry. 2/62 ADA even sank a Panamanian Vosper PT boat.
Eventually the M48 and M163 were both replaced in US service by the M-1097 Avenger and the M6 Linebacker (M2 Bradley with FIM-92 Stinger missiles instead of the standard TOW anti-tank missiles).
Specifications (M163)
- Armour layout:
- * front: 38 mm
- * sides: 45 mm to 32 mm
- * rear/top: 38 mm
- * bottom: 29 mm
- M168 gun:
- * Effective range: 1,200 m
- * Maximum rate of fire: 3,000 rpm
- * Elevation: +80° to -5° at 60°/second
- * Traverse: 360° at 75°/sec
- * Ammunition: 2,100 rounds
Variants
- M163.
- * M163A1. Changes to gun mount and vehicle to bring it in line with the M113A1. The resulting carrier vehicle was designated M741A1.
- * M163A2. Powertrain changes to bring it in line with the M113A2. The resulting carrier vehicle was designated M741A2.
- * M163 PIVADS (1984). Accuracy and workload improvements developed by Lockheed Electronics Company including a digital microprocessor, director sight, low backlash azimuth drive system, and the ability to utilize armor-piercing discarding sabot ammunition. The PIVADS used the M741A1 carrier vehicle, and the improvements were carried over to the M163A2.
- M167. Towed version of the turret.
- Machbet. Israeli upgraded version equipped with 4-tubes FIM-92 Stinger pod, upgraded tracking system and the ability to share information with local highpower radar.
See also
External links
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