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Kansas Army National Guard
Equipment
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AN/TPQ-36 Fire
Finder Radar System
U.S. Army Sgt. Daniel
Ledesman of Battery E (Target Acquisition), 161st Field Artillery, Kansas
Army National Guard, works on a AN/TPQ-36 Fire Finder Radar System.
The Fire Finder Radar has the capability to determine where a round
was fired from, where it will land and will compute coordinates for
a counterattack if needed. The radar can track artillery rounds, mortars,
and rounds as small as .50-caliber. DoD photo by Sgt. Jean-Marc Schaible,
U.S. Army.
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AN/TPQ-37
Phased Array Artillery Locating Radar System
The AN/TPQ-37
is a mobile Phased Array Artillery Locating Radar System. The operations
shelter is identical to that used with the AN/TPQ-36(V)5 and consists
of an Operations Control Group mounted on an M-35 series Truck, and the
MEP-115A, 60 kilowatt, 400 hertz Generator Set mounted on a 5-ton Truck.
This truck also tows the Antenna Transceiver Group consisting of the Phased
Array Antenna, Transmitter, Receiver and associated electronics mounted
on the M-1048 Trailer, a 6-ton four wheel flatbed Cargo Trailer. Two AN/TPQ-37s
are assigned to the Target Acquisition Battery of each division and employed
with the AN/TPQ-36. The AN/TPQ-37 is larger than the AN/TPQ-36 and its
target acquisition range is greater. The system uses a combination of
radar techniques and computer controlled functions to detect and accurately
locate enemy artillery and rocket weapons to permit rapid engagement with
counterfire.
The AN/TPQ-37(V)6
is a long range radar which can locate artillery and rockets within the
accuracy of the weapons systems. It was used extensively during Operation
Desert Storm. The system is fast and accurate but lacked mobility. It
has to be broken down to airlift it in anything smaller than a C-5.
The AN/TPQ-37(V)8
corrects most of the short comings of the (V)6 at a minimum of cost. In
this version C-130 roll-on/roll-off is fixed by adding a mobility package.
The antenna can now be rolled off its trailer directly onto the ramp of
a C-130. The generator pallet (not shown) also has that capability. No
special equipment is required. To fix the problem of the lack of maneuverability
encountered during Operation Desert Storm, a Medium Tracked Suspension
System (MTSS) was added. The S-250 shelter was moved to a M1097 Heavy
HMMWV and self-survey capability was added by installing a Modular Azimuth
Positioning System (MAPS). Memory keep alive circuits were added as in
the AN/TPQ-36(V)7. Finally, the life cycle of the system was increased
by swapping the old cooler and components for a redesigned cooler. Fielding
was completed by third quarter 1997.
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The
UH-60 Black Hawk utility helicopter is the most versatile helicopter
in the Army inventory. Although designated a utility helicopter it can also
be equipped with weapons. The Black Hawk is mainly used as a combat troop
assault vehicle. It can carry from 11 to 22 combat equipped troops into
battle. The UH-60 can also be used to sling-load light vehicles and equipment
on the battlefield. The UH-60 if often configured as an air ambulance and
can carry up to six litter patients or seven ambulatory. When rigged with
special equipment, the Black Hawk can lay wire, provide illumination, conduct
radiological surveys, disperse scatterable mines, and lay smoke. Stats:
4 Crew members; speed 140 knots (161 mph), range 480 nautical miles (552
statute miles); Two GE 700 turbine engines. |
The purpose of the
Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) is to engage and defeat tube
and rocket artillery, air defense concentrations, trucks, light armor
and personnel carriers, as well as support troop and supply concentrations.
The launcher can operate in the battlefield with all Army maneuver elements.
The MLRS crew can emplace the launcher, fire a mission and leave the firing
site without leaving the cab. The cab also protects the crew from chemical,
biological and radiological warfare agents. MLRS shoot-and-scoot tactics
make it difficult for the enemy to counter attack, since the launcher
is able to fire its payload and move out of the area before the hostile
forces are able to locate the launch site. Stats: 3 crewmembers, driver,
gunner, section chief; Range more than 180 miles; Weight 55,000 pounds.
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The
M109A6 Paladin is the latest advancement in 155mm self-propelled artillery.
The system enhances previous versions of the M109 by implementing onboard
navigational and automatic fire control systems. Paladin has both a Kevlar-lined
chassis and a pressurized crew compartment to guard against ballistic, nuclear,
biological, and chemical threats. The M109A6 Paladin is capable of firing
up to four rounds per minute to ranges of 30 kilometers. TACOM-ARDEC, in
order to maintain the state-of-the-art in artillery technologies, is continuing
to develop enhancements adaptable to Paladin, such as a 52 caliber gun,
Modular Artillery Charge System (MACS), and a laser ignition system. Stats:
Range: 30 km (with rocket-assisted projectile); 24 km (with unassisted projectile);
Rate of fire: maximum 4 rd/min for 3 min, sustained 1 rd/min; Main armament:
M284 155 mm cannon; Secondary armament: .50 caliber machine gun; Weight:
32 ton (combat loaded) |
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The M1A1 Abrams Main
Battle Tank is the principal tank of the United States Army and Marine
Corps. Originally developed and deployed in 1983, The M1 and its variants
proved themselves in Operation Desert Shield/ Desert Storm as one of the
premier MBTs in the world. Originally (M1) produced with a 105mm main gun,
variants produced since 1986 are fitted with a 120mm main gun (M1A1). Its
characteristic low profile and angular appearance set it apart from other
tanks. The M1's four man crew is protected by "Chobham" armor
on glacis and turret, armored bulkheads between turret and engine, blow
out panels over the main gun ammunition compartment and an effective fire-suppression
system. A new depleted uranium armor has been in production since 1988.
Power is provided by an Avco-Lycoming AGT-1500 1500 hp turbine engine and
a Detroit Diesel X-11-3B transmission. Aside from the main gun, the Abrams
is fitted with a coaxially mounted 7.62mm machine gun, another 7.62mm machine
gun for loader and a .50 caliber M2 machine gun for the commander. Stats:
Weight (pounds): 67.5 tons; Length: 32'4"; Width: 12'; Height: 9'6";
Forward speed: 42 mph; Reverse speed: 25 mph: Engine: 1500 hp AGT-1500C
turbine; Vertical obstacle climb: 49 in; Maximum width ditch: 108 in; Fording
Depth: 48 in; Main Gun: M256 - 120mm cannon; Coaxial machinegun: M240 -
7.62mm; Loader's machinegun: M240 - 7.62mm; Commander's machinegun: M2 -
.50 cal |
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The Heavy Expanded
Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) provides transport capabilities for
re-supply of combat vehicles and weapons systems. There are five basic configurations
of the HEMTT series trucks: M977 cargo truck with Material Handling Crane
(MHC), M978 2500 gallon fuel tanker, M984 wrecker, M983 tractor and M985
cargo truck with MHC. A self-recovery winch is also available on certain
models. This family is rapidly deployable and is designed to operate in
any climatic where military operations are expected to occur. |
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The M16A2 resembles
its predecessor the M16A1 but has a number of important modifications. It
operates in semi-automatic and three-round burst mode. The barrel is rifled
to use both the new standard NATO round, while still being capable of firing
earlier types of bullets. The new rear sight incorporates adjustment for
windage and elevation to 800 meters. The hand-guard, butt and pistol grip
are made from stronger material, the hand-guard now round and with an improved
heat deflector. The barrel is heavier and stiffer for better accuracy and
incorporates a new flash suppresser which helps reduce muzzle climb. A build
in cartridge deflector behind the ejection port deflects rounds away from
the face of left handed fires. Stats: Weight: 8.7 lb; Length: 1 meter; Range:
600 m (max effective); Rate of fire: 800 rpm |
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The M9 Beretta
pistol is the standard Army sidearm. It replaced the M1911A1 pistol in .45
caliber. It is basically a Beretta 92F pistol and fires the 9mm NATO round.
Stats: Weight: 2.6 lb; Length: 8.5 inches; Range: 50 m (max effective);
Magazine Size: 15 rounds. |
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The M249 Squad Automatic
Weapon (SAW) is a lightweight machine gun firing the standard 5.56 mm
NATO round used in the M16A2 rifle. The M249 is interesting because while
its standard ammunition feed is by 200 round disintegrating belts, it is
also capable of firing ammunition from standard M16 magazines inserted in
a magazine well in the bottom of the SAW. The SAW has become the standard
automatic rifle of the infantry squad and has proven useful with the changing
of the M16 to a three round burst weapon. Stats: Weight: 16 lb; Length:
1.2 meters; Range: 800 m (max effective); Rate of fire: 800 rpm. |
