M163 SP Vulcan Air Defense System (VADS) Battery Operations

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).

• Category

  Science & Technology

[Namikagekun]

VADS - The mothefucker who always shoots down my helicopter in BC2.

[al91176]

6 people are SU-25 pilots.

[Kingofgrowers]

Thank you for a very lucid and civil reply...very well put.

[Endemantis]

Well, technically they wouldn't and shouldn't be because the system is retired. But from a military planner's perspective, if they had some in storage, it wouldn't be surprising if they pulled a few out. The pentagon was afraid of things like terror attacks from low-flying civilian aircraft, not military fighters. The M163 is more than adequate for fending off a civilian suicide plane, even if its obsolete for the military AA role. It's hard to say the truth will all the rumors floating around.

[Doug Masters]

2/62 ADA Korea,1/67 ADA Ft lewis

[Utah Mike]

A pilot would have the heebie jeebies if he knew one of these were looking for him.

[Joe Smith]

if you look at the destroyed aircraft it is clearly different, it is much higher and the wings are more swept ( im no us aircraft expert so i won't try to name them), probable they did this because VADS was quite low powered, that's a fact, i still love it but to get a "kill" takes a lot of fire.

[Kingofgrowers]

simple question friend....others have suggested that there were vulcan systems there...I never saw one in action so I have no idea the level of fire control there might be. 10 rounds or 100....No matter. I answered them by suggesting what does one do with a 60 ton aircraft after it is hit by anything? It still has to go somewhere....deaths are going to occur. Thanks for the response none the less. 20 mm is a big round...aluminum plane v 20 mm...not good !!!

[AllisterCaine]

leaving out the gun went worribly wrong once for the US... "guns? we have sidewinders!"

[AllisterCaine]

if you are implying that theres a conspiracy, try to learn something about the damage a 20mm round can do....

[John Long]

B6/56 Bitburg Germany 1983-85 here

[chitownmo]

i would like to have one of these on top of my home just to piss liberals off.