US M163 ''Vulcan'' 20mm AA Gun

By Crusader1307

Designed and fielded in 1968 for use by The US Military during the later years of The Vietnam War. The M163 was a “hybrid” combination of The M113 Armored Personnel Carrier and The M61 Gatling Gun. The combination of the two created a highly effective and potential Anti-Aircraft weapon. Weighing over 27,000-pounds, The “Vulcan” crewed 4. Utilizing (8) 20mm barrels, mounted on it’s top, the circular barrel pattern was capable of discharging 3,000-rpm, in bursts of 10, 30, 60 and 100. A sustained automatic feature allowed for 1,000. Tracking was by Radar and Target Acquisition Devices. Similar to the drive system of The M113, The M163 was a torsion var, twin tracked vehicle with 5-support wheels. It used a diesel GM 6-cylinder, 2-stroke Engine. The maximum speed was 40-mph. Although the very few NVA Fighter Aircraft (Soviet MIGs), were not considered a threat, The M163 proved effective against SAM (Surface To Air Missiles). Many variants of The “Vulcan” are still in use with The US Army in Air Defense Artillery Batteries.