US Weapons of the

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US Weapons of the

• Persian Gulf War

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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.

3
The Conflict

• On August 2, 1990 the country of Iraq invaded and
  occupied the tiny country of Kuwait over a
  supposed dispute over oil.

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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).

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Outcome

• American forces led by Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf
  would eventually annihilate the Iraqi forces with
  the worlds most advanced weapons.

6
Air Support

• American air superiority gave the coalition
  forces a huge advantage in this conflict.
• American aircraft completed decimated Saddam
  Huessiens forces.
• Air superiority included bombers, attack
  helicopters, fighter jets and other highly
  advanced weapons.

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F-117a
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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.

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B-52
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B-52 Stratofortress

• US Airforces long range, large payload
  multi-role 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 anti-personnel and
  anti-armor bombs.

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BGM - 109
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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

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AH - 64
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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
  pilots helmet targeting information seen
• Primary use in Gulf was to destroy tanks and
  armored vehicles - highly effective weapon.

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S-70A
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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.

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AH-1W
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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.

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A-10
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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.

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F -14
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F-14 Tomcat

• The F-14 Tomcat is the US Navy's carrier-based
  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-to-ground ordnance including the Rockeye bomb
  and CBU cluster bomb

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F-15 E
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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.

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F-16
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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.

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UAV
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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.

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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
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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.

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Desert Storm - Ground Offensive
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M - 1A1
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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.

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M - 109A6
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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.

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HMMWV
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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

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M2/M3
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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.

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MLRS
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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.

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M-9
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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.

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Ground War Assessment

• 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

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Never Forget those who have served their
country!!!