What are differences in artilery between the Vietnam War and today's battlefield?

Answer 1

US Army artillery during the Vietnam War, from approximately 1961 until 1964, had to be spotted (FAC-Forward Air Control) by 0-1 Bird Dog Artillery Observation airplanes (Cessna single engine planes). The Bird Dog was the US Army's first all metal airplane (recieved in 1950) to be brought into service, since the US Army Air Force separated from the US Army in 1947, becoming the US Air Force; it's own branch of service. The Vietnam War was the Bird Dog's second war (Korea was it's first war). In 1964, the Dept. of Defense ordered the US Army to transfer all of it's fixed-wing aircraft over to the US Air Force. Bird Dog's flying in Vietnam were now USAF airplanes; with the exception of a few 0-1's for spotting artillery, until the Army helicopters could take over. Bird Dog's were flown from US Army "Airplane Company's", assigned to Army Aviation units. Artillery spotting for the Army continued during the Viet War through the 0-1 Bird Dog, 0-2 Skymaster, and then finally the 0V-10 Bronco, which by then the new Army Cayuse HELICOPTER (the flying Egg-flown by Tom Selleck's side kick on the TV series "Magnum PI") had officially taken over the FAC responsibilities from the old traditional Fixed-wing spotter planes. All, or most US Marine & US Army infantry unit's normally had a FO (Forward Observer) with them, on a tank or on foot. The FO would call in artillery and/or coordinate with the FAC circling above. Artillery or Air Strikes could be called in with this team; GPS and computers did NOT exist back then. All work was done with a MAP & COMPASS & RADIO. US Army Guns (cannons) used during the Vietnam War were: 60mm, 81mm & 4.2" mortars, 90mm & 106mm recoilless rifles, which were organic to a US Army Infantry battalion. US Army field artillery consisted of: 105mm & 155mm split trailed field guns (howitzers), 155mm, 8", and 175mm Self Propelled Guns, M-42 Duster (twin barreled 40MM gun mounted on the chasis of a M-41 Walker Bulldog light tank). The US Marine Corps used some of the above, but also used the "Ontos" a tracked vehicle with a half a dozen 106mm recoiless rifles attached to it. All Army guns were emplaced at Firebase's through out the country. All guns were used for indirect fire, via FAC's & FO's. However, Field Guns were used for direct fire, when a Firebase was being over-run.