M163 SP Vulcan Air Defense System (VADS)

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.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• M163
• SP
• Vulcan
• Air
• Defense
• System
• VADS
• air
• defense
• guns
• gatling
• cannons
• artillery

[crazyaLseattle]

I spent 2 1/2 years in Germany on a Vulcan. B btry 2nd/67th ADA , Coleman barracks. True the system was pretty worthless, but it could put up a wall of lead. I carry the name I had then "CrazyAL" thanks to Lt. Boron. Big Red 1 , also under the 32nd group.

[gpicon7]

Weapons are only as good as those who repair & maintain them. - 32nd AADCOM, Bitburg Air Base, Germany JAN72 - JUN 73

[Inquisitor53]

@postpaleo Ist Airmobile 1/68 ADA, Ft. Hood. Radar wasn't that good, not worth a shit for air defense beyond prop-driven aircraft. She was at her best against ground forces. Having that much firepower and to be able to use it accurately when mobile gives you one hell of a tactical advantage. Ate up a lot of Uncle Ho's warriors along Hiway 9.

[0911rawhide]

16r..24m..xr7...ft blister and germany..you never forget that sound..love it!!!

[jweiskotten]

24m in Mannheim 79 - 82

[lalewine]

I was 16 R at Bliss 1969- 1970 A 2/60

[dragunov3r]

The voiceover sounds like Robbert Loggia, can anyone confirm?

[nwoecb]

that's a really old and stupid system.

[scubamatio]

I laugh at guy who tell about how powerfull there 44mag or 30-06. You havent fire anything if you havent fired a vulcan. My company at bliss did the test to replace the vulcan , chapparal and mounted the stinger on the Hum V. (Pedastal mounted stinger)

[billy56081]

I wasa a 16R stationed at Ft. Carson, CO 89 to 91.