M163 VADS

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M163 VADS
The M163 of the 24th Infantry Division at the National Training Center.
Place of origin	United States
Specifications
Weight	27,542 lb (combat weight)
Length	191.5 in
Width	112.4 in
Height	115 in
Crew	4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver)
Armor	Rolled 5083/5086 H32 aluminium, 29-45
Primary armament	M168 General Dynamics 20 mm Vulcan gun 2,100 rounds
Secondary armament	None/Crew small arms
Engine	General Motors 6V53, 6 cylinder two stroke diesel 212 hp (158 kW)
Suspension	torsion bar, 5 road wheels
Operational range	360 liter fuel tank, 480 km
Speed	64 kph (40 mph)

The M163 Vulcan Air Defense System (VADS) is a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (SPAAG) that was used by the United States Army. 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 M163s 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 in short bursts of 10, 30, 60, or 100 rounds, or it can fire in continuous fire mode at a rate of 1,000 rounds per minute. In the M163 a linkless feed system is used, in the M167 (towed) linked ammunition is used. The system is suitable for night operations with the use of AN/PVS series night vision sights that mount above the sight reticle. VADS 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, it is not very effective against modern fast moving fixed wing aircraft. Consequently the Vulcan gun system was in use throughout the late 80's and early 90's primarily 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 PDF Vosper PT boat.

Eventually the M48 and M163 were both replaced in US service by the M1097 Avenger and the M6 Linebacker (M2 Bradley with FIM-92 Stinger missiles instead of the standard TOW anti-tank missiles).

Specifications

• 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°/s
  • Ammunition: 2,100 rounds

An M163 during Operation Desert Shield.

An M163 Vulcan anti-aircraft gun system vehicle returns to the vehicle staging area after an exercise at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California, USA.

A close-up of the 20mm Vulcan cannon on the M163 VADS.

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 and low backlash azimuth drive system. The PIVADS used the M741A1 carrier vehicle, and the improvements were carried over to the M163A2.
• M167. Towed version of the turret. Prime mover was the Gama Goat until 1989 when the HMMWV replaced it.
• Machbet. Israeli upgraded version equipped with 4-tubes FIM-92 Stinger pod, upgraded tracking system and the ability to share information with local high-power radar.

Operators

• Chile
• Ecuador
• Egypt
• Iran
• Israel
• United States of America
• Kingdom of Morocco
• South Korea
• Thailand
• Tunisia

See also

• Phalanx CIWS
• ZSU-23-4

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: M163 VADS

• globalsecurity.org
• AFV database