Transcript US Weapons of the

US Weapons of the
Persian Gulf War
Objectives:
• Identify the difference between “Desert
Shield” and “Desert Storm”.
• Describe weapons used by the United
States in the air war against Iraq.
• Describe weapons used by the United
States in the ground war against Iraq.
• Discuss the effectiveness of US weapons.
The Conflict
• On August 2, 1990
the country of
Iraq invaded and
occupied the tiny
country of Kuwait
over a “supposed”
dispute over oil.
United States Responds
• President George W.
Bush declared that the
invasion “would not
stand”.
• Bush decided to send
American troops to
protect Saudi Arabia
(Desert Shield) and
eventually liberate
Kuwait (Desert Storm).
Outcome
• American forces led
by Gen. Norman
Schwarzkopf would
eventually
annihilate the Iraqi
forces with the
world’s most
advanced weapons.
Air Support
• American air superiority gave the
coalition forces a huge advantage in this
conflict.
• American aircraft completed decimated
Saddam Huessien’s forces.
• Air superiority included: bombers, attack
helicopters, fighter jets and other highly
advanced weapons.
F-117a
F-117a stealth
• Designed to be virtually invisible to radar.
• Nicknamed the “Wobblin Goblin” because of
bumpy ride and outlandish appearance
• Primary weapon (2,000 pound laser - guided
bombs)
• Targets in Gulf War included Iraqi command
and control installations and also chemical and
nuclear production and storage facilities.
B-52
B-52 Stratofortress
• US Airforce’s long range, large payload multirole bomber.
• Nicknamed BUFF - Big Ugly Fat Fellow
• Can carry more than 70,000 lbs of bombs nuclear, laser guided and conventional.
• In Operation Desert Storm, B-52s were used to
conduct round-the-clock carpet bombing
attacks against Iraqi troop concentrations and
defenses. In addition to high-explosive bombs,
the B-52s saturated Iraqi positions with antipersonnel and anti-armor bombs.
BGM - 109
Tomahawk cruise missile
• Desert Storm was the first combat test of the
cruise missile system. Highly successful.
• In the war, Tomahawks were used to destroy
surface-to-air missile sites, command and
control centers, electrical power facilities and
were credited with the destruction of Iraq's
presidential palace.
• Carry 1000 lbs computer or laser guided
missiles - 550 miles per hour - up to 1500 miles
AH - 64
AH - 64 apache
• Specifically designed for its attack role. It is
heavily armored and is hard to kill.
• Uses “Hellfire” anti-tank missiles that have
range of 3.7 miles. Top speed 184 miles an hour.
• 30 mm laser directed gun also used - attached to
pilot’s helmet; targeting information seen
• Primary use in Gulf was to destroy tanks and
armored vehicles - highly effective weapon.
S-70A
S-70A Blackhawk
• Primary mission of the Blackhawk is as a
troop carrier and and logistical support
aircraft
• Can carry 11 fully equipped troops.
• Equipped with the Hellfire anti-tank
missile and 50 calibre machine guns
• Designed for low delectability.
AH-1W
AH-1W SuperCobra
• US Marines attack helicopter.
• Can carry both the TOW and Hellfire
anti-tank missiles.
• Also able to use the Sidewinder air-to-air
missile.
• Equipped also with a variety of rockets
and 20 mm gatling guns.
A-10
A-10 Thunderbolt
• Also known as the Warthog, Flying Gun, or the
Tankbuster.
• The A-10 was responsible for more than half of
the Iraqi military inventory losses, including
tanks, Scuds and helicopters.
• Can carry up to ten Maverick air-to-surface
missiles.
• Avenger 30mm cannon, mounted in the nose of
the aircraft. Can fire 4200 rounds a minute.
F -14
F-14 Tomcat
• The F-14 Tomcat is the US Navy's carrierbased two-seat air defense, intercept,
strike and reconnaissance aircraft
• The F-14 is armed with a General Electric
Vulcan M61A-1 20mm gun with 675 rounds of
ammunition.
• The aircraft can carry short-, medium- and
long-range air-to-air missiles and, and air-toground ordnance including the Rockeye bomb
and CBU cluster bomb
F-15 E
F-15E Strike Eagle
• The F-15E dual-role fighter is an advanced
long-range interdiction fighter and tactical
aircraft
• It is armed with air-to-air missiles that can be
launched from beyond visual range, and has
air-to-ground capability to penetrate hostile air
and ground defenses to deliver up to 24,000lb
of precision ordnance.
• The aircraft is armed with an internal M-61
20mm Gatling gun, installed in the right wing
root.
F-16
F-16 Fighting Falcon
• The first of the US Air Force multi-role fighter
aircraft, is the world's most prolific fighter.
• Air-to-surface missiles carried on the F-16
include Maverick, HARM and Shrike missiles
• The F-16 carries the Lockheed Martin
LANTIRN infra-red navigation and targeting
system.
• The F-16 has a 20mm General Electric M61A1
multi-barrel cannon and the gunsight is
interfaced to the cockpit HUD.
UAV
Drones
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are either
remotely or autonomous pilotless drones
typically used for reconnaissance. UAVs
• At least one UAV was airborne at all times
during Desert Storm.
• One of the most unusual surrenders took place
when a Pioneer remotely-piloted vehicle droned
above the battlefield, surveying potential
targets. Five Iraqi soldiers waved white flags at
its tiny television camera; it was the first time
in history that men surrendered to a robot.
Air War Assessment
• Began January 17,
1991 and lasted
about 6 weeks until
the ground attack
began.
• Air power was then
used to assist the
ground assault.
• Air power gave the
US an extreme
advantage
Tomahawk destroying
Iraqi postion
The Ground War
• On Feb 24, 1991 Marine
divisions launched the
ground offensive.
• Gen. Schwarzkopf
hatched his “Hail Mary”
attack plan.
• The ground assault by
the Allies precipitated a
general rout on the part
of Iraqi forces positioned
in Kuwait.
Desert Storm - Ground
Offensive
M - 1A1
M1 - Abrams
• Named for the late Gen. Creighton W. Abrams,
former Army Chief of Staff
• Principal U.S. heavy tank used in the Gulf War
• M-1 mounts an M68E1 105 mm main gun and
two 7.62mm NATO M240 machine guns.
• Outranged Iraqi tanks by about 1,000 meters
• Its ability to fire reliably when moving at speed
(45 mph) over rough ground gave it a
capability that proved valuable in the Gulf.
M - 109A6
M109 Paladin A6
• Provides primary indirect fire support to heavy
divisions and armored cavalry regiments.
• The M109A6 is self propelled 155 mm
howitzer.
• It contains an on board ballistic computer and
navigation system, an improved cannon and
gun mount, automatic gun positioning,
automotive improvements and driver night
vision equipment.
HMMWV
High Mobility
Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle
• Provides a variety of wheeled vehicle platforms
• Cargo/troop carrier, armament carrier, TOW
missile system carrier, shelter carrier and two
ambulance variants (2- and 4-litter).
• Designed for use over all types of roads, in all
weather conditions and are extremely effective
in the most difficult terrain.
• Perfect for use in desert operations
M2/M3
Bradley Fighting
Vehicle
• The BFVS is a lightly armored, fully tracked
fighting vehicle that provides cross-country
mobility, mounted firepower and protection
from artillery and small-arms fire.
• It is used in mechanized infantry and armored
cavalry combat
• M2 provides infantry squads with a light
armored fighting vehicle; M3 provides scout
and armored cavalry units with a vehicle for
reconnaissance, screening, and security
missions.
MLRS
Multiple Launch
Rocket System
• The multiple launch rocket system (MLRS)
delivers extreme firepower in a short time.
• The MLRS consists of a launcher that holds
two six-rocket canisters.
• Primary missions are counter-battery fire and
suppression of enemy air defense systems.
• Each MLRS artillery rocket disperses 644
fragmentation bomblets over the target.
• These munitions are both anti-armor and
antipersonnel.
M-9
M9 Armored
Combat Earthmover
• The M9 ACE is a highly mobile armored
tracked vehicle that provides combat engineer
support to front-line forces.
• Its tasks include eliminating enemy obstacles,
maintenance and repair of roads and supply
routes, and construction of fighting positions.
• Used in the Gulf War to remove sand walls set
up by Iraqis to slow down US offensive.
Ground War Assessment
Iraqi (prewar)
Airplanes
APC
Iraqi (lost)
Artillery
4500
4000
3500
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
tanks
• Operation Desert
Storm(ground) lasted
only 100 hours.
• The Iraqi forces were
totally destroyed by
the American led
Coalition forces.
• 100,000 Iraqis killed;
148 Americans
Never Forget those
who have served
their country!!!