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World War III: 1988
Addendum C: United States Military R&D and Acquisition; Armaments, Land and Air systems, 1987
In the aftermath of the Soviet coup in 1986, along with events in Mexico and Libya, the revelation of the Soviet Biopreparat bioweapons program, and the unveiling of several new Soviet weapons systems at the May Day parade in Red Square in ’87, President Ronald Reagan authorized one of the largest defense spending increases in history. Several experimental weapon systems were quickly placed into production at varying rates, which were ramped up as the world geopolitical situation began to deteriorate prior to the outbreak of war. Part of it was to correct what was seen as some deficiencies within the U.S. military’s capabilities, some was in reaction to the public display of the Soviet’s new weapons as well as further lessons learned during the U.S. invasion of Mexico.
M-4 Assault Carbine
Experimentation with this assault carbine, designed to replace the Vietnam-era CAR-15 and related carbines in use by U.S. Armed Forces, began in 1985 with the U.S. Marine Corp and U.S. Navy SEALs. Versions of this weapon were spotted in the hands of some US Navy SEALS as well as U.S. Army Rangers during Operation GREEN FOX. It is a modified full-auto M-16 with the barrel length reduced to 14.5 inches along with a collapsible buttstock. A small cut is made in the barrel to accommodate the installation of an under-mounted M-203 40mm grenade launcher or Masterkey 12ga. shotgun. The receiver has a “flat-top” Picatinny rail system which typically holds the standard M-16 “carry handle” iron sights but can also accommodate other various sight optics. After experience with intense urban fighting in Mexico along with the realization there would be heavy urban combat with Soviet and WARPA troops in the case of war, production of this weapon was quickly begun and ramped up when the war began. It was initially fielded to Special Operations units, and some Airborne and Mechanized Infantry units shortly before the war. It became more commonly issued as the war progressed, especially to infantry units that were engaged in urban combat.
M-24 SWS (Sniper Weapon System)
By 1987 the U.S. Army's main sniper rifle, the M-21 which had served during the Vietnam War, had become worn from use and was experiencing reliability issues. Snipers using the weapon during the invasion of Mexico noted an increase in jams and also lower accuracy compared to other rifles. There was also an increasing clamor to equip the Army with more sniper teams equipped with better weapons, especially after combat experiences in Mexico. A modified variant of the Remington 700 bolt-action rifle was chosen after studying the U.S. Marine's experience with their M40 sniper rifles that was based on the Remington 700 design. Christened M-24, the rifle was designed with a composite polymer stock, Leupold powered scope and a free-floating barrel. Though it was originally planned to chamber the 7.62mm NATO round, the rifle was instead adopted in .300 Winchester Magnum which was felt would be better for use to penetrate light cover and at longer ranges than the 7.62 Nato cartridge, especially against Soviet and WARPA troops who were increasingly being equipped with body armor. Production was begun immediately to replace the majority of M-21's with the weapons, and was increased as hostilities began to escalate.
M-7 CAWS (Close Assault Weapon System) Shotgun
The CAWS was another developmental program carried out by Heckler and Koch while they developed the G-11 rifle. The CAWS was designed as an answer to a US Army program requirement for a weapon to be used in close quarter confines and in urban combat. The CAWS program was nearly terminated after Heckler and Koch's version beat out other competitors, but when the storm of war began to brew, the program received additional funding and the CAWS was officially added to the U.S. military small arms inventory under the designation M-7. The CAWS is a select-fire shotgun with a bullpup configuration, with the receiver in the buttstock fed via ten-round magazines. Two versions of the M-7 were made, the A1 model with an 18.63 inch barrel, and the A2 model with a 26.94 inch barrel. The shotgun has a carry-handle type sight with a Picatinny rail installed to allow the attachment of sight optics as desired. The CAWS uses proprietary shells, 12-gauge belted brass cartridges with a high propellant charge for improved range, with several types of ammunition loads including standard "OO" buckshot, tungsten pellets, tungsten slugs, and an experimental HEAT round for use against armored targets at close ranges. The CAWS was well-respected for it's firepower, though it was also considered a niche weapon and somewhat bulky. It saw use by some light and mechanized infantry platoons, especially those that were involved in urban combat later in the war, along with military police and some Special Operations troops. Another customer, of course was West Germany who purchased the weapon for use by fallschirmjager paratroopers and KSK commandos. While usually referred to by its acronym CAWS, the weapon's devastating firepower at close range earned it the moniker "Room Sweeper", as well as "Splat Gun" for it's grisly effects on enemy personnel in urban battles.
M-12 "Delta 786" PDW (Personal Defense Weapon)
The Delta 786 was a submachine gun that was offered by AMAC Corporation when the application of PDW's was being seriously considered by the U.S. and NATO forces. The weapon was nearly passed on until it was given another look by the U.S. Army who decided to adopt it as the M-12 PDW to replace the older worn-out M-3 "grease guns" that were still in use by U.S. Army tank crews, as well as to provide an additional weapon for some rear-area and support troops, as well as vehicle and helicopter crews. The Delta 786 is an open-bolt, direct-blowback operated weapon that is very lightweight yet extremely sturdy, and built with a number of internal passive safeties to prevent accidental discharge. It uses 9mm Parabellum ammunition and can use Uzi-submachinegun type magazines, both of which were widely available in the West making adoption easy. Field stripping was designed to be simple, with several barrel lengths ranging from five to eight inches available that could be changed out with a few simple tools. The magazine well acts as a foregrip for the weapon, while the trigger guard can be folded down to allow ease of use with heavy gloves. The sights are sturdy, well protected and angled to prevent snagging, with an adjustable rear sight. What originally nearly killed any adoption of the Delta 786 was the lack of a folding stock, with only a snap-on fixed stock available. AMAC was able to rectify this in accordance to an Army request by quickly fielding a snap-on folding stock assembly with the Delta 786 that was similar in form to folding stocks being issued for the MP5K. A special holster was designed for the weapon that allowed it to be carried on a belt and quickly drawn. While originally a PDW meant for vehicle crews, as the '88 War went on it also gained some popularity with mechanized infantry platoons and crew-served heavy weapon teams, who carried it as an additional backup weapon or for use in room clearing operations in urban battles.
M-20 Ridgway Light Tank/Reconnaissance Vehicle
The U.S. Army had been experimenting for several years for a new light tank with adequate firepower that could be used by Airborne and light infantry formations, primarily to replace the aging M-551 Sheridan vehicle which was suffering from mechanical issues. While a number of LAV vehicle and HMMWV configurations, and even German-manufactured Wiesel light track vehicles were taken into service, the primary replacement chosen for the M-551 was the M-20 Ridgway, which in itself was a modified variant of the RDF light tank program that was developed by AAI Industries. This version of the vehicle used a very low-profile, heavily modified version of the M113A3 chassis. A new multi-fuel engine and transmission was installed that made it extremely fast for a tracked vehicle, along with additional muffling to enable more quiet operation, coupled with special self-sealing fuel tanks. Armor was improved to resist 23mm autocannon fire, with lugs for additional applique armor if desired at the cost of weight. The turret consists of a modified version of the casemate-style, low profile turret that was tested on the M1 Abrams TTB prototype, with a modified Low Recoil Force(LRF) variant of the M-68A1E4 105mm cannon with an autoloader and a coaxial M240 7.62mm machine gun. The commander's position sits low in the turret with a cupola similar to that used in the M1A1 tank with an NHT mount capable of mounting and firing either an M2 .50 cal. heavy machine gun, or a Mk. 19 40mm auto grenade launcher, from under armor utilizing a periscope sight. A commander's independent thermal viewer, or CITV is also installed on the turret with an elevating mast that can turn 360 degrees, allowing the tank crew to act as a "hunter killer" team while also performing reconnaissance from a hull down position. The same gyro-stabilization, laser rangefinder, thermal vision, night vision and image-intensification optics found in the M1A1 are also installed for the vehicle gunner. While the vehicle primarily equipped the U.S. Army airborne and some Light Infantry divisions, it was also used initially on a trial basis as a reconnaissance vehicle by the heavy armor battalions, and was soon in high demand with those as well as the vehicle, though lightly armored was extremely mobile, low profile and easy to hide, and relatively quiet with it's elevating CITV and sensors allowing it to excel at forward screening and reconnaissance duties.
M-23 Marshall Fire Support/Air Defense Artillery Vehicle
The M-23 Marshall was another variant of the AAI RDF Light Tank program that was taken into service for the U.S. Army Airborne, primarily as a fire support vehicle, recon scout, and anti-aircraft defense. The vehicle was in fact closer in design to one of the original proposed variants of the vehicle that came out in the early 1980s, consisting of the same chassis, engine and transmission seen on the M-20 Ridgway, but instead of the LRF 105mm cannon, sports as it's primary weapon the Ares 75mm autocannon which featured a high rate of fire utilizing case-telescoped ammunition (CTA), allowing a very simple, reliable and compact feed mechanism with an extremely high velocity and range. The autocannon is capable of elevation from -15 to +60 degrees, allowing it to engage both ground and air targets. A coaxial M3M .50 cal. machine gun is retained. While there is no commander's weapon mount, the turret instead mounts twin quadruple Stinger anti-aircraft missile launchers that can elevate independently of the main autocannon/coaxial machine gun and can be fired by either the commander or gunner. Image intensification, night vision and FLIR imaging is installed as standard for all the weapons. A special wide-angled variant of the Commander's Independent Thermal Viewer (CITV) is installed on an elevating sensor mast much like the M-20 Ridgway, with greater adjustable elevation to allow scanning for air targets. While the primary intended user was the U.S. Army Airborne, the vehicle also saw some use by Light Infantry divisions and the U.S. Marines. Airborne and Light Infantry units that utilized both the M-20 Ridgway and M-23 Marshall often employed pairing the two in "hunter-killer" teams.
M-5 Cadillac Gage Stingray Light Tank
The Cadillac Gage Stingray was another light tank concept that was built and offered by Cadillac Gage as a low cost armored vehicle to armored forces, especially those with airborne elements and/or operating in soft terrain, and was touted as another possible replacement for the M-551 Sheridan. While the chosen replacement for the M-551 was the M-20 Ridgeway, the U.S. Army airborne and also some of the light infantry formations found themselves in need of even more light armor, and the Cadillac Gage Stingray was also pressed into service to fill the gap. The M-5 Stingray is a highly mobile light-armored tank designed to resist gunfire up to and including the 14.5mm KPV, though it also features bolt-on applique armor attachments for increased protection at the cost of additional weight. The primary weapon is a low-recoil force (LRF) variant of the Royal Ordnance L7A3 105mm rifled tank cannon, along with a coaxial M240 7.62mm machinegun. An additional M2 .50 caliber machinegun is mounted on the turret roof at the commander's cupola. The U.S. version of the tank was modified from it's original configuration and given an "enhanced sensors package" that included in addition to the standard day/night vision optics, a thermal imager, image intensification and a laser rangefinder. Besides the U.S., other users of the Stingray included, but were not limited to Australia, Italy, Mexico (as part of rebuilding their military after the U.S. invasion), New Zealand, Thailand, Taiwan, South Korea, and Turkey. Some versions of the Stingray in U.S. and other foreign service had an additional machine gun, typically an M240 or equivalent mounted on the loader's hatch, other weapons in lieu of the M2 for the commander's weapon such as the Mk. 19 automatic grenade launcher, gun shields for the commander and loader (particularly for the Australian and New Zealand variants) and had "slat armor" consisting of steel bar panels attached to the tank in lieu of applique armor to resist RPG fire without adding too much weight to the vehicle.
LAV-600 Tank Destroyer/Fire Support Vehicle
This was an experimental modification of the LAV 8x8 wheeled vehicle carried out by Cadillac Gage that was quickly picked up for use by the U.S. Marines. The LAV chassis was modified with more durable suspension, an improvement in armor and vision devices, fire suppression, wet stowage for ammunition, and was topped with the turret of the Cadillac Gage Stingray tank. It carried the same armament of the LRF L7 105mm cannon along with a coaxial M240 7.62mm machine gun, and an M2 .50 cal. machine gun for the commander's cupola. Like the U.S. versions of the Stingray tank, the turret carried the same enhanced sensors package and fire control suite, along with an enhanced gyrostabilizer to allow more accurate gunnery while on the move to take full advantage of it's mobility. The U.S. Marines utilized this vehicle in a tank destroyer/fire support role alongside it's LAV-25's.
M-112 Armored Weapons Carrier "Weasel"
The U.S. Army purchased a considerable number of Wiesel AWC's from West Germany, at first for evaluation for the Airborne battalions, and later considerably more of them for both the Airborne and Ranger battalions as the threat of war grew. The M-112 Weasel was utilized as both a recon vehicle and heavy weapons carrier, with a wide number of configurations. Some, thought not all of the weapon configurations included: An M2 .50 cal/ Mk. 19 40mm turret combo, a Bushmaster 25mm autocannon configuration, a TOW ATGM carrier with an M240 7.62mm or M2 .50 cal machinegun, and a quad-mount Stinger AA launcher. Several Weasels that saw action in Iran had twin or quadruple 19-tube Hydra 70 rocket pods mounted to the vehicle for use as an indirect fire-support vehicle.
HMMWV FSV Fire Support Vehicle
The U.S. Army and Marines operated a number of HMMWV transport vehicles, and with the focus on increased firepower several new weapon configurations were developed, among them the FSV which consisted of a HMMWV with a powered turret, on which was mounted an M242 Bushmaster 25mm autocannon along with a coaxial M249 5.56mm machine gun. A day/night camera unit with FLIR is linked down into the vehicle interior to the gunner who sits next to the driver. The cabin itself is reinforced with kevlar and thickened ballistic glass for the windows. Thousands of these were built for the U.S. Army and Marines, with several hundred sent to Australia and New Zealand. Some later iterations of this vehicle would have an additional weapon hardpoint bolted on the turret, usually mounting a TOW ATGM launcher.
HMMWV Avenger SHORAD Vehicle
This other iteration of the HMMWV was another stopgap measure to provide light wheeled mobile antiaircraft support to the U.S. Army as well as the U.S. Marines. It has a modified variant of the HMWWV with the rear of the cab cut down to form a flatbed, upon which a remote turret is equipped with a day/night camera and FLIR optics. The turret of this vehicle is equipped with twin quadruple launchers housing eight ready-to-fire FIM-92 Stinger antiaircraft missiles, along with an M3M .50 cal. machine gun which is also mounted coaxial with the launchers for close range defense. Hundreds of these were built for the U.S., with many more also built and sent to Australia and New Zealand to provide better antiaircraft coverage for their troops.
HMMWV "Slammer" Rocket Artillery Support Vehicle
This iteration of the often-modified HMMWV chassis sports a flatbed in the rear of the cabin like the Avenger vehicle, with a powered remote-control traversing and elevating rack holding six 19-tube Hydra 70 rocket pods. The vehicle is based on an experimental towed rocket artillery piece that was tested during the Vietnam War by Airborne troops called the "Slammer", but with updated technology was able to be mounted on the back of a HMMWV to allow quick mobility and "shoot and scoot", thus often drawing comparisons to the rocket-equipped Jeeps that were used by the Army during WW2. The Slammer was widely used by the US Army and Marines at the battalion level, often in a counter-battery role.
M-252 Bradley “Hellblazer” SHORAD Armored Vehicle
This was a modification of the M-2A2 Bradley, utilizing the same chassis as the vehicle with a different turret installed, similar to the turret used on the LAV-AD ADA vehicle, but with additional armor plating and sensors installed. The turret houses a short-range radar array and IR designator, along with its weapons which consist of a five-barreled 25mm Gatling autocannon, coaxial M240 7.62mm machinegun, and two armored quadruple FIM-92 Stinger missile launchers. Ammunition reloads are usually carried in lieu of passengers, though there is room for a two-man Stinger MANPADS team. Production was quickly accelerated on this vehicle over concerns of the growing deficiency gap in ADA for the US Army with the increasing Soviet helicopter threat as well as the fact that the older vehicles could not keep up with the newer M1 Abrams and M2 Bradley vehicles. Later in the war, as the vehicle became increasingly used in a ground fire support role, a common modification was to have one of the Stinger quad missile launchers replaced with a 19-tube Hydra 70 rocket launcher pod. This is the same M261 launcher system used on the AH-64 Apache gunship, allowing it to be used against soft-skinned vehicles and ground targets as well as in a limited indirect fire support role.
M-2A2 Bradley AFV
This is yet another modification of the M2 Bradley AFV, in this case the vehicle is outfitted with different weapons, a Bushmaster 30mm Autocannon replacing the 25mm M242 autocannon typically mounted to increase firepower, and twin AGM-114 Hellfire ATGM missile launchers, one on each side of the turret, replacing the standard TOW missile launcher. The coaxial M240 7.62mm machinegun is retained. A laser designator, FLIR and improved image intensification is installed to allow the vehicle to better utilize the longer-ranged Hellfire missiles, as well as allowing it to designate targets for artillery and CAS (Close Air Support) strikes. It was often nicknamed the “Bradley Thirty” by vehicles crews in reference to the 30mm autocannon it was fitted with. Later in the war “slat armor” consisting of panels composed of metal slats were fitted on the vehicle sides and side skirts of the unit to provide better protection by pre-detonating RPG antitank rockets. During the war it was just as often likely to see this vehicle carry additional ammunition in lieu of passengers and be used as both a reconnaissance and FISTV (Fire-Support Team Vehicle) asset alongside other M2 Bradley's.
M1A1E GDLS Abrams “Echo” HA (Heavy Armor) MBT
Multiple experiments were being carried on the next iteration of the Abrams MBT even as the M1A1 Abrams variant was being fielded to the U.S. Army. After experience with urban combat in Mexico and also the unveiling of the Soviet’s T-85 “Dragon” MBT at the 1987 May Day parade, this version of the M1 Abrams tank was begun in low-rate production which like many other vehicles was rapidly increased when the war broke out. The vehicle has redesigned Chobham “sandwich” armor, this time with a new depleted uranium mesh making it more impervious to antitank fire. The turret unlike it's predecessor the M1A1 is slightly larger but retains the same arced sloping to help resist antitank fire, while carrying additional armament. The turret was originally designed to accomodate a new 140mm cannon, but this was delayed and instead the turret carries the U.S. M256 variant of the 120mm Rheinmetall smoothbore cannon and coaxial M240 7.62mm machinegun. In addition however it also has a coaxial Bushmaster 30mm autocannon designed for use against light armored vehicles and infantry formations. Also, while the tank carries a loader crewman, an autoloader system that was developed on the M1 TTB prototype was installed, thus allowing the tank to keep a consistent rate of loading and firing of the main gun while the loader crewman acts as a manual backup and assist to the autoloader in case of malfunction, while also free to perform other duties like additional spotting. On the turret roof there is a rotating cupola with vision blocks and NHT mount for the loader’s M240 machinegun, which could also be replaced (and often was) with an M2 .50 cal. machine gun or Mk. 19 40mm automatic grenade launcher that could be aimed and fired from under armor. The commanders station retains it's cupola with a redesigned remote-operated weapon station, or RWS mounting either an M2 .50 cal machine gun or Mk 19 40mm automatic grenade launcher, or in some later cases an FN BRG-15 15.5mm heavy machine gun, along with an additional cluster of smoke grenade launchers that can be fired from under armor. The RWS is also equipped with thermal, night vision and image intensification equipment allowing the commander to independently scan for targets without being exposed, thus also functioning as a commander's independent thermal sight, or CITS. The vehicle's thermal and night vision equipment is also upgraded allowing for better imagery. An improved version of the standard turbine engine found on M1 Abrams tanks was also installed to deal with the increased weight. Like other vehicles later in the war it was not uncommon to see the vehicle fitted with “slat armor” on it's sides and turret to help pre-detonate RPG rounds. At the beginning of the war the M1A1E would often be assigned one per tank platoon in U.S. Army units, usually as the platoon commander’s vehicle, who often referred to it as the “Echo”, "Big Easy", and sometimes more colorful nicknames. Soviet, WARPA, Iranian and North Korean forces who faced this iteration of the Abrams often referred to it as the “Steel Monster".
M-131 GDLS “Hydra” ADAAV (Air Defense Anti Armor Vehicle)
The M-131 was an experimental vehicle, based on the chassis of surplus original M-1 Abrams tanks. Where the M-252 was envisioned as a proper armored SHORAD vehicle, the M-131 was a more experimental heavy armored vehicle that could be used in both the antiaircraft and antiarmor role in protracted engagements, as well as provide additional overwatch and screening duties for the heavy armor formations. The standard turret was removed and replaced with a turret mounting twin 30mm Bushmaster Autocannons synced for a high rate of fire, along with a coaxial M3M .50 cal. Machinegun. Mounted on each side of the turret are armored missile launchers containing a total of twelve FIM-92 Stinger missiles for use against aircraft. On the rear of the turret are two retractable under-armor launchers containing a total of eight AGM-114 Hellfire missiles for use against both armored vehicles and low-flying helicopters. An M2 .50 caliber machine gun set in a remote-control weapon mount is additionally fitted to the commander’s station on the turret. A retractable and elevating sensor mast is installed on the top of the tank between the under-armor launchers that uses FLIR imaging, a laser designator and image intensification equipment similar to that used on the AH-64 Apache gunship, along with a folding phased-array radar dome to the rear of the turret between the Hellfire launchers that could be raised for use when needed. The latest variants of thermal and night vision imaging used on the M1A1E Abrams is also utilized on this vehicle. Like other equipment, production of this vehicle was increased when the war commenced, typically being issued to U.S. Army heavy armor formations, though some also found their way to the U.S. Marines. Although often referred to as the "Hydra", U.S. troops also often referred to this vehicle as the “Combat Cadillac” due to its plethora of weapons and electronic systems, while Soviet, WARPA, Iranian and North Korean forces who faced this vehicle often called them “Damnation Machines”. Or, as one 2nd Armored Division tanker later said rather colorfully in a CNN interview, "It's like an Abrams and an Apache got together and had babies."
M-60A4 Main Battle Tank "2000 Package"
While the US Army was the main recipient of the M1 series of MBT's, the US Marines continued to soldier on with the M-60 which had begun to fall behind other tank designs. The US Marines demanded an upgrade to their tanks since the US Army would continue to receive the Abrams variants, and hence General Dynamics came out with an upgrade package. The "2000 Package" includes redesigned applique armor with more sloping, a better engine and transmission, improved wet stowage for ammunition, improved gyrostabilizer, and the same fire control suite and vision optics as the M1 Abrams. The original coaxial machine gun is replaced with an M240 coaxial machine gun. The original commander's cupola is removed and the same type of cupola found on the M1A1 Abrams is installed in it's place with an M2 .50 cal. machine gun that can be fired from under armor. An additional M240 or M60 machine gun is installed in a traversing mount by the loader's hatch. The vehicle, referred to as M-60A4 was often referred to by US Marines as the "Patton stepchild" and other more colorful monikers. The upgrade was offered as a package by General Dynamics to other countries using the M-60 tank series, with several countries including Austria, Egypt, Italy, Jordan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, and Turkey buying the upgrades for their tank fleets.
M247 "Sgt. York" DIVAD/SPAAG (Division Air Defense/Self Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun)
The M247 Sgt. York was a program to develop a new self-propelled anti-aircraft artillery weapon for Division-level defense, but had a bit of a delayed and controversial development process. The system itself, in spite of some bugs and flaws in the system, along with a rather dubious thrashing by the Western press (specifically the New York Times and Atlantic Monthly) seemed to show some promise. Development was stopped in 1985, but was soon revisited again when the world situation began to deteriorate and Reagan announced the newly expanded defense bill, and the Army was in dire need of as many air defense assets as it could acquire. The fact that the original media reports about the M247 were fact-checked and shown to have glaring errors and omissions which resulted in a scandal also helped spur the Pentagon and Ford Aerospace to revisit the program and try a new approach. The vehicle was mated to an M60 chassis with an improved engine and transmission. Further development in electronics miniaturization and computer processing allowed the contractors to improve the overall fire control suite and work out most of the bugs. A 5000psi hydraulic system was installed in the turret to better handle the main guns. The main guns themselves had the original, worn L60 40mm Bofors cannons removed, and new Bofors L70 40mm cannons built by Oto Melares installed. Lastly, the fire control suite was given the option to fire either "standard" 40mm ammunition, or a new sensor-fused ammunition developed by Bofors for use against aerial targets, though this ammunition also soon found a very effective use as an airbursting munition against soft-skinned targets and troops in the open. Accelerated trials with the vehicle resulted in a platform that could finally keep up with the American armor formations, could track various targets even at treetop level, and could put out a veritable and deadly "wall of steel and flak" accurately at various aerial and ground targets. The only drawback is that it resulted in a vehicle that cost more than the program was meant to originally, but had resulted in a far superior vehicle regardless. Congress grudgingly made room in the budget for a battalion's worth of the vehicles, which initially were found operating alongside M60 tanks with the U.S. Marines and National Guard units, before it's use was spread out to other elements of the US Army as well. Foreign customers also expressed an interest in the vehicle, and this was where it found wider success as it was soon picked up for service by Australia (modified to Leopard chassis), Austria, France (modified to AMX-30 chassis), Israel, Italy, Taiwan, and Turkey. The system became even more popular to buyers in the postwar period as it was judged to be a far superior vehicle to surplus ZSU-23-4 vehicles.
M248 "American Roland" DIVAD/SPSAMC (Divisional Air Defense/Self-Propelled Surface-To-Air Missile Carrier)
The Roland system was a joint French-German SAM system that was developed and fielded in the late 70's, with one of it's foreign customers the U.S. Army. In spite of some delays the system was able to mature into a proven system, and formed part of a portable ADA system network called CORAD (Co-ordinated Roland Air Defense) that incorporated a search and acquisition radar, several gun systems and Roland system into an integrated network. The largest hurdle the system faced in the U.S. arsenal however was technology-transfer, however following the success of the M247 Sgt. York system, engineers took another hard look at the American Roland system and with some input from the French and Germans, applied components of the same radar systems and fire control from the Sgt. York into the Roland system, improving it's effectiveness and allowing it to jointly integrate with the M247 Sgt. York in a CORAD-type network. The modified Roland system was mounted on a turret with the radars and FLIR, with twin launchers, and this was in turn mounted on a modified M60 chassis with a new engine and raised armored superstructure to accommodate the turret as well as an under-armor reloading system for the launchers, with eight spare missile reloads carried in the hull. Like the Sgt. York, the American Roland received further funding and acquisition from Congress with another battalions worth of the vehicles delivered to the US Army and Marine Corps. The Sgt. York/American Roland joint system was often used by the U.S. to defend critical sites such as airfields, forward command posts and bridges, often providing complementary short-medium range defense alongside longer-ranged systems like the MIM-23 "Hawk" and MIM-104 "Patriot" SAMs.
F/A-16F “Kestrel” Tactical Attack Aircraft/Multirole Strike Fighter
The F/A-16F "Kestrel" was based upon an experimental aircraft offered by General Dynamics as a more powerful, more heavily-armed version of the F-16 utilizing a cranked-arrow delta wing. This aircraft, with a larger wing area, more powerful engine, greater fuel capacity, increased lift and greater number of munitions hardpoints (twenty-five hardpoints altogether), was envisioned as a multirole attack aircraft in competition with McDonnell Douglas’s F-15E attack aircraft. After the bid was lost to the F-15E, the aircraft was almost retired before Belgium and the Netherlands expressed interest in purchasing the aircraft for their air force attack squadrons, feeling it would be a perfect fit with their pilots who were accustomed to flying the F-16 aircraft. When the 1987 U.S. defense bill was introduced it came with an increased demand for more attack aircraft, among other things. McDonnell Douglas attempted to increase production of the newly ordered F-15E but experienced difficulties increasing the number of orders. To fill the gap the U.S. Air Force ordered an emergency requisition of several squadrons worth of F/A-16F aircraft that would perform multirole operations alongside the F-15E’s and F-111's. At least two squadrons of F-16F’s were considered operational when the war began.
F/A-18L "Hornet" Fighter/Attack Aircraft
This variant of the F/A-18 was offered again for purchase to other countries who sought to modernize their air forces. The largest difference with the updated "L" variant of the aircraft was the removal of the tailhook, plus a lighter and strengthened airframe. The F/A-18L retained most parts commonality with the original F/A-18, and was sold to the countries of Austria, Australia, Kuwait, and Spain.
F-20 "Tigershark" Tactical Attack Aircraft/Interceptor Aircraft
The F-20 "Tigershark" was originally conceived as a modernized variant, or rather evolution of the F-5E Tiger II aircraft, with better avionics, armament, switchable air-to-air and air-to-ground capability, improved engines with greater speed and most importantly, BVR (Beyond Visual Range) radar and interception capabilities. But most importantly, it was conceived to provide a range of options in an upgrade that was cheaper, easier to build and more affordable for the air forces of countries with smaller budgets. Although production was originally closed in 1983 when sales of F-16's were authorized to various allies, production was reopened and revamped after the Reagan Administration rolled out the defense spending bill for 1987, and there was a huge increase in demand from various allies for upgrades to their air forces that had been flying the F-5 aircraft variants. Production was immediately picked up for various US Air National Guard squadrons as a replacement interceptor aircraft for the increasingly obsolete F-106 "Delta Dart", and to free up F-16 aircraft for the U.S. Air Force frontline squadrons. It was also quickly sold to the air forces of several countries including (but not limited to) Morocco, South Korea, Taiwan, Portugal, Turkey and Bahrain. Another customer was Mexico, where it was used to rebuild the Mexican Air Force after the American invasion. Perhaps the most interesting recipient however was the USAF, USN and USMC "Aggressor" squadrons, who used them as replacements for the F-5 aircraft they had previously flown to simulate OPFOR (Opposing Force) aircraft during military exercises.
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