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From: griffenj%db1_pdx@ncube.com (Jeff Griffen)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Sheridans
Message-ID: <1991Mar8.024137.11028@cbnews.att.com>
Date: 8 Mar 91 02:41:37 GMT
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From: griffenj%db1_pdx@ncube.com (Jeff Griffen)


Now that the bandwidth has cooled somewhat, I have a question:

If Buddha, Mohammed, and Jesus were all in today's US Armed Forces, 
which infantry rifle would they prefer, what fighter would they fly,
which operating system would they like best, and would they vote 
Democrat or Republican, and why?   Just Kidding.

My real question involves the M551 Sheridan.  I was suprised to see
them being used by units operating in the Gulf War.  I had thought
that they had died a quick, quiet death after the Army had some 
operational experience with them.  My understanding (subjective
sources):

1) The armor wasn't particularly effective.

2) The main gun wasn't particularly effective (see any M60A2s in the 
Gulf?).

3) An encounter with a large mine (>30 pounds) tended to make the 
ammunition inside go off (which is not particularly desirable in a 
combat vehicle).

Can anybody (authoritatively) enlighten me as to how the Marines are
using these operationally?

PS. A friend has a 3'x3' plate of armor from a Sheridan.  He can't *do* 
anything with it, since its too hard to cut with a saw and disperses
heat too quickly to cut with a torch.  But he has it.

Tanks,

- Jeff
griffenj@ncube.com	Saddam's down, how about Gamora?