FORCETALLY
Loading the evidence…
Preparing your view.
Preparing your view.
Measured figures
Configuration
| Specification | M163 VADS | ZPU-2 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Self-propelled anti-aircraft gun[source] | — |
| Place of origin | United States[source] | — |
| In service | 1968–present[source] | — |
| Used by | See list of operators[source] | — |
| Wars | Vietnam War Western Sahara War 1982 Lebanon War Invasion of Panama Persian Gulf War Israeli–Palestinian conflict Iraq War (limited) Yemeni Civil War Saudi Arabian–led intervention in Yemen 2025 Cambodia-Thailand conflict[source] | — |
| Designer | General Electric |
Width
Single source112.4 in (2.85 m)[source]
M163
Single sourceM163A1
Single source(M163A2) combat weight
Single source24,700 lb (11,200 kg) (M163) 27,140 lb (12,310 kg) (M163A1) 27,542 lb (12,493 kg) (M163A2) combat weight[source]
commander, gunner, loader, driver
Single source4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver)[source]
Maximum; Maximum speed
Single source40 mph (64 km/h)[source]
Operational; M163A1
Single sourceOperational; M163/A2
Single source275 mi (443 km) (M163/A2) 300 mi (480 km) (M163A1)[source]
General Motors 6V53 , 6-cylinder two-stroke diesel
Single sourceGeneral Motors 6V53 , 6-cylinder two-stroke diesel 212 hp (158 kW)[source]
Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.
| — |
| Designed | 1964[source] | — |
|---|
| Produced | 1965–1970, 1975–1979, 1982[source] | — |
|---|
| No. built | 654[source] | — |
|---|
| Elevation | +80° / -5°[source] | — |
|---|
| Armor | Rolled 5083/5086 H32 aluminium , 29 mm (1.14 in) - 45 mm (1.77 in)[source] | — |
|---|
| Main armament | M168 General Dynamics 20 mm Rotary cannon 2,000 rounds (M163) 2,230 rounds (M163A1/A2)[source] | — |
|---|
| Suspension | torsion bar , 5 road wheels[source] | — |
|---|
| Former operator · Portugal | Portugal[source] | — |
|---|
| Former operator · Israel | Israel[source] | — |
|---|
| Former operator · Sudan | Sudan[source] | — |
|---|
| Former operator · Yemen | Yemen[source] | — |
|---|
| Role | self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (SPAAG) primarily[source] | — |
|---|
| Source measurement | The M163 Vulcan Air Defense System ( VADS ), officially Gun, Air Defense Artillery, Self-Propelled 20-mm, M163 , is a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (SPAAG) primarily used by the United States Army . The M163 provides mobile, short-range air defense protection for ground units against low-flying fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters . It replaced the M42 Duster as the standard American armored light air-defense gun.[source]M163 VADS · Lead; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The M163 VADS uses the M168 gun, a variant of the General Dynamics 20 mm (0.79 in) M61A1 rotary cannon , the standard cannon in most U.S. combat aircraft since the 1960s. The gun is mounted on a modified M113A1 vehicle (the M741 carrier). Designed to complement the M48 Chaparral missile system, it is limited to fair-weather operations. The M163 uses a small range-only AN/VPS-2 radar and an M61 optical lead-calculating sight, and is incapable of using the radar to scan an area for targets. The system is suitable for night operations with the use of AN/PVS series night vision sights that can be mounted to the right side of the primary sight.[source]M163 VADS · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage 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. A linkless feed system is used. Its 20x102mm round gave it a low effective range of only 1,200 meters (3,900 ft), and its standard air-defense load of HEI-T rounds would self-destruct at approximately 1,800 meters (5,900 ft), a hard limit on range. The feed drum holds 1,200 rounds ready to fire, with 800 rounds stowed in reserve for the M163, later increased to 1,030 rounds stowed in reserve for the M163A1 and A2.[source]M163 VADS · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage In 1984, the improved PIVADS (Product-Improved VADS) system was introduced, providing improvements in the ease of use and accuracy of fire, but the limitations of the 20×102 mm caliber remained. In 1988, the fourth crewmember (observer/loader) was issued a Stinger launcher and two rounds.[source]M163 VADS · Upgrades and replacement; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Eventually, the M163 was replaced in US service by the M1097 Avenger and the M6 Linebacker , an M2 Bradley with FIM-92 Stinger missiles instead of the standard TOW anti-tank guided missiles : the Stinger missile providing the necessary range to deal with helicopters with anti-tank missiles far out-ranging the 20 mm gun, as well as considerably extending the reach against fixed-wing targets. The final US Army VADS-equipped unit at Fort Riley Kansas completed turn-in of its Vulcans in 1994.[source]M163 VADS · Upgrades and replacement; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage A close-up of the 20 mm Vulcan cannon on the M163 VADS.[source]M163 VADS · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage | — |
|---|
| Variant description | — | ZPU-2[source]Only the source-declared variant ZPU-2 |
|---|
| Reported operators |
| — |
|---|