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From: bcstec!shuksan!major@uunet.UU.NET (Mike Schmitt)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Hi-Tech Scorecard
Message-ID: <1991Apr5.091907.7913@amd.com>
Date: 4 Apr 91 18:32:32 GMT
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From: bcstec!shuksan!major@uunet.UU.NET (Mike Schmitt)

Initial reports out of Desert Storm seem to be giving our Hi-Tech
weapons systems some pretty good marks.  I'm sure detailed technical
analysis will take some time - but here a thumbnail sketch of some
'high-visibility' systems:

M1A1 Abrams Tank.  After the 100 hour operation, readiness status of
tanks in VII Corps and XVIII Corps exceeded 90%.  The 3rd Armored
Division covered 200 kilometers with its 300+ tanks and none broke down.
Seven tanks reported being hit by T72 tank rounds in which the M1A1 
sustained no damage.  Crews reported that the thermal sight allowed them
to acquire T72s through smoke (and oil fire smoke).   Apparantley the
T72s could not.

M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle.  Crews reported that the IR sights (infrared)
were very effective, even during sand storms.  The 25mm Bushmaster
cannon was more lethal than expected.  There were no reported transmission
failures during operations (the 'media' had played-up potential faulty
transmissions). 

Patriot.  Of 47 SCUDs fired against - the Patriot successfully intercepted
45.  "In the historical analysis of this war, Patriot will be one of the
key systems which influenced the outcome."

AH64 Apache.  On the night of January 17, 1991, Apache attack helicopters
from the 101st Div's Aviation Brigade fired the first shots of the war.
Two teams of four Apaches each conducted a deep strike into western Iraq
to destroy early warning radar sites.  The teams achieved complete
surprise.  Eight Apaches fired 27 Hellfire missiles and destroyed both
radar sites.  The resulting 'blind corridor' allowed the Air Force to
begin striking Baghdad without being detected.  The Apaches fired 100
2.75inch rockets and 4,000 rounds of 30mm ammo.  There were no gun jams.
The mission took 15 hours and covered 950 miles (round trip) - all 
aircraft returned with no damage.
The 4th Bn, 229th Avn Bde's Apaches destroyed approximately 50 
enemy tanks in a single battle.

OH58D Kiowa Warrior.  The 'Scout' helicoptor was used to designate targets
for the Apache attack helos.  Some Kiowa-Apache hunter-killer teams
reported 15-20 tank kills per mission.  

SINCGARS (Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System).  Reports 
indicate the system experienced 7,000 hours mean-time between failure
(MTBF) compared to the 200-300 hours of the VRC-12 family of radios.
The 1st Cav Div used SINCGARS at retrans sites and reported a 30% increase
in range capability.  

(Source:  LTG Richard West, Ret.  Director, AUSA Institute of Land
 Warfare, April 1991 Conference.)

mike schmitt