David
Sat January 3, 2004 8:19pm
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MK19 40mm Machine Gun, MO
Description: The MK19 40mm machine gun, MOD 3 is an air-cooled, disintegrating metallic link-belt fed, blowback operated, fully automatic weapon and is crew transportable over short distances with limited amounts of ammunition. It can fire a variety of 40mm grenades. The M430 HEDP 40mm grenade will pierce armor up to 2 inches thick, and will produce fragments to kill personnel within 5 meters and wound personnel within 15 meters of the point of impact. Associated components are: MK64 Cradle Mount, MOD 5; M3 Tripod Mount; and the AN/TVS-5 Night Vision Sight. The MK19 also mounts in the up-gunned weapons station of the LVTP7A1 model of the AAV and vehicle ring mounts.
Background: The MK19 was originally developed to provide the U.S. Navy with an effective riverine patrol weapon in Vietnam. A Product Improvement Program was initiated in the late 1970s resulting in the MK19 Mod 3.
General Characteristics, MK19 40mm Machine Gun, MOD 3
Manufacturer:
Saco Defense Industries
Length:
43.1 inches (109.47 centimeters)
Weight:
Gun: 72.5 pounds (32.92 kilograms)
Cradle (MK64 Mod 5): 21.0 pounds (9.53 kilograms)
Tripod: 44.0 pounds (19.98 kilograms)
Total: 137.5 pounds (62.43 kilograms)
Muzzle Velocity:
790 feet (240.69 meters) per second
Bore Diameter:
40 mm
Maximum Range:
2200 meters
Maximum Effective Range:
1600 meters
Rates of Fire:
Cyclic: 325-375 rounds per minute Rapid: 60 rounds per minute Sustained: 40 rounds per minute
Unit Replacement Cost:
$13,758
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 8:43pm
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AN/GAU-17 7.62mm Machine
Description: With the introduction of helicopters to the modern battlefield, the M61 system was redesigned and scaled down for use as a helicopter weapon system. Designated the M134, this new weapon was similar to the M61A1 but it fired the much smaller 7.62mm percussion primed rifle cartridge. Capable of firing 6,000 rounds per minute, the M134 was used on a number of helicopters, such as the UH-1 Iroquois, OH-6 Cayuse, and AH-1 Cobra, as well as the AC-47 gunship, during the Vietnam War. In these cases the M134 was part of an armament system and fired by either the pilot or co-pilot. The M134 also saw service in the Vietnam War in a number of under wing pods, allowing aircraft such as the AD-1 Sky Raider to deliver tremendous amounts of firepower in CAS missions.
The crew served version of the M134 is the GAU-17. Fired from a pintle mount on the helicopter fuselage, the GAU-17 is very similar to the M134 except that it is equipped with a "high" (4,000 rpm) and "low" (2,000 rpm) selector switch. The GAU-17 is currently in service on the UH-1N, H-3, and H-60 helicopters, as well as a number of American Special Operations aircraft and helicopters.
Background: Soon after the end of the Second World War the newly formed United States Air Force identified a need for an improved gun system for its aircraft. While adequate as an air combat / ground attack weapon during World War Two, the Browning M2 .50 caliber machine gun had been rendered obsolete by jet aircraft and needed to be replaced by a weapon with increased range, rate of fire, and projectile lethality. Realizing that singled barreled automatic weapons had essentially reached their design limits, the U.S. Army Ordnance Research and Development Service hit on the idea of re-introducing the multi-barreled rotary weapon invented by Richard J. Gatling in the 1880s. Initial tests proved promising as a vintage Gatling gun, now powered by an electric motor in place of the usual hand crank, was able to achieve rates of fire in excess of 4,000 rounds per minute.
In 1946 the General Electric company received the contract for this new program, code named "Project Vulcan," and was tasked with producing functional prototypes in a number of calibers for further testing. In 1952 GE produced three different guns; .60 caliber, 20mm, and 27mm. After extensive testing, the 20mm version was selected for further testing to determine its suitability as an aircraft mounted weapon. In 1956 the gun was standardized as the M61 20mm cannon and entered service with both the United States Army and Air Force.
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 9:15pm
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M21 Remote Sensing Chemic
Function: Long-range chemical agent detection.
Description: The Remote Sensing Chemical Agent Automatic Alarm is a two-man-portable, automatic scanning, passive infrared sensor which detects nerve and blister agent vapor clouds based on changes in the infrared energy emitted from remote objects, or from a cloud formed by the agent. The RSCAAL is a stand-alone, tripod-mounted, chemical agent overwatch system to be used in a defensive role. It consists of a detector, tripod, M42 remote alarm unit, transit case, power cable assembly, and standard military power source. It will be used for reconnaissance and surveillance missions. It will search areas between friendly and enemy forces for chemical agent vapors, and provide advanced detection and warning of chemical hazards. Where possible, the RSCAAL will be employed in pairs (two reconnaissance teams) so that one RSCAAL can be used in the overwatch position when the other reconnaissance team is moving. The remote warning can be transmitted by two methods: by hardwire to the M42 alarm or by a digital signal transmitted from the M21 via an RS232 cable. The RS232 link will provide a capability to link with the Marine Corps Hazard Warning System/Network.
General Characteristics, M21 Remote Sensing Chemical Agent Automatic Alarm
Operational Configuration:
Length: 20 inches (50.8 centimeters)
Width: 48 inches (121.92 centimeters)
Height: 51.5 inches (130.81 centimeters)
Weight: 66 pounds (29.96 kilograms)
Storage/Shipping Configuration:
Length: 31 inches (78.74 centimeters)
Width: 30 inches (76.2 centimeters)
Height: 22 inches (55.88 centimeters)
Weight:
117 pounds (53.12 kilograms)
Power Requirements:
120 watts at 21 to 30 volts
Chemical Agent Detection Range:
1.86 to 3.1 miles (3 to 5 kilometers)
Instantaneous Field of View:
Vertical: 1.5?
Horizontal: 60?
Chemical Agent Spectral Range:
800 to 1200 centimeter(-1)
Mean Time Between Operational Mission Failures:
277 hours
Inventory:
125 are currently being fielded; the acquisition objective is 197
Unit Replacement Cost:
$110,000
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 9:18pm
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AN/PVS-4 Individual Weapo
Function: Night vision device for passive night vision and aiming fire of individual weapons using ambient light (moonlight or starlight) for illumination.
Description: The AN/PVS-4 Individual Weapon Night Sight is a portable, battery operated, electro-optical instrument used for observation and aimed fire of weapons at night. It amplifies reflected light such as moonlight, starlight, and sky glow so that the viewed scene becomes clearly visible to the operator. The sight does not emit visible or infrared light (except from the eyepiece) that can be detected by the enemy. It can be used with the M16 rifle, M249 and M60 machine guns, and 83mm MK183 MOD 1 (SMAW) rocket.
The AN/PVS-4 is a second generation image intensification device. This sight comes furnished with mounting brackets for the M16 and M60, reticules and mounting brackets for use with other weapons must be separately requisitioned. A carrying bag and battery adapter for low temperature operations may also be requisitioned.
General Characteristics, AN/PVS-4 Individual Weapon Night Sight
Manufacturer:
IMO, VARO, Garland, Texas
Length:
12 inches (30.5 centimeters)
Width:
4 inches (10.2 centimeters)
Height:
4.5 inches (11.4 centimeters)
Weight:
4 pounds (1.818 kilograms)
Magnification:
3.6x
Range, Man-Sized Target:
Starlight: 400 yards (365.6 meters)
Moonlight: 600 yards (548.4 meters)
Field of View:
14.5? (circular)
Power Source:
2.7 volt mercury battery, BA-1567/U, BA-5567/U, BA-3058/U
Unit Replacement Cost:
$4,815
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 9:18pm
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AN/PVS-7B Night Vision Go
Function: Image intensifying, passive binoculars which allow the operator to perform tasks at night or under low light level conditions.
Description: The AN/PVS-7B is a single-tube night vision goggle, Generation III image intensifier which uses prisms and lenses to provide the user with simulated binocular vision. The Marine Corps is acquiring the AN/PVS-7B, a model which incorporates a high light level protection circuit in a passive, self-contained image intensifier device which amplifies existing ambient light to provide the operator a means of conducting night operations. A shipping case, soft carrying case, eyepiece and objective lens cap, and filter are ancillary items. A demist shield is also provided to prevent fogging of eyepiece.
Background: The AN/PVS-7B represents the current state of the art in night vision goggles. Initially, it will augment the AN/PVS-5 NVG, and over time, it will replace the AN/PVS-5. The Marine Corps is interested in procuring a clip-on Night Vision Magnification Device (NVMD) to satisfy the need to see targets at the maximum effective range of its weapons.
General Characteristics, AN/PVS-7B Night Vision Goggles (NVG)
Manufacturer:
ITT, Roanoke, Virginia
Litton, Tempe, Arizona
Length:
5.9 inches (14.99 centimeters)
Width:
6.1 inches (15.49 centimeters)
Height:
3.9 inches (9.91 centimeters)
Weight:
24 ounces (.68 kilograms)
Magnification:
1x
Range, Man-Sized Target:
Starlight: Man-Sized Target, 100 meters; vehicle-Sized Target, 500 meters
Moonlight: Man-Sized Target, 300 meters
Field of View:
40? (circular)
Power Source:
Mercury, Nickel Cadmium, or Lithium Battery (2.7V) (BA-5567 or AA Cells)
Operation Time:
12 hours on one 2.7 volt battery
Inventory:
2,300
Unit Replacement Cost:
$6,000
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 9:18pm
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AN/PVS-5 Night Vision Gog
Function: Allow the operator to perform tasks at night or under low light level conditions.
Description: AN/PVS-5 Night Vision Goggles are a self-contained, passive, image intensifying, night vision viewing system worn on the head with or without the standard battle helmet or aviator helmet. They are a second generation binocular system capable of providing night vision viewing using available light from the night sky (starlight, moonlight). The built-in infrared light source provides added illumination for close-up work such as map reading. The PVS-5 is equipped with a headstrap to allow "hands-free" operation. Shipping case, soft carrying case, eyepiece and objective lens cap, and arctic adapter assembly are authorized ancillary items. Demist shields are also provided to prevent fogging of the eyepiece.
History: The AN/PVS-5 individual night vision goggles (NVG) were procured in the early 1980s. A general purpose goggle, they are found in a variety of applications, such as for vehicle drivers, riflemen, and unit leaders. There are differences in each model that require separate model support packages. The bulk of the Marine Corps assets are AN/PVS-5As, although all three models are distributed in the Fleet Marine Force.
General Characteristics, AN/PVS-5 Night Vision Goggles (NVG)
Manufacturer:
IMO, VARO, Garland, Texas; ITT, Roanoke, Virginia; Litton, Tempe, Arizona
Length:
6.5 inches (16.51 centimeters)
Width:
6.8 inches (17.27 centimeters)
Height:
4.7 inches (11.94 centimeters)
Weight:
30 ounces (.85 kilograms)
Magnification:
1x
Range, Man-Sized Target:
Starlight: 50 meters
Moonlight: 150 meters
Field of View:
40? (circular)
Power Source:
2.7 volt mercury battery, BA-1567/U, BA-5567/U, BA-3058/U
Inventory:
8,200
Unit Replacement Cost:
$5,111
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 9:18pm
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AN/TVS-5 Crew Served Weap
Function: Image intensification night sight for detecting, acquiring, and engaging targets at night. Attaches to M2 .50 caliber heavy machine gun. May be used for surveillance and observation either mounted on the weapon system or hand held.
Description: The AN/TVS-5 Night Vision Sight is a portable, battery operated, electro-optical instrument used for observation and aimed fire of weapons at night. It amplifies reflected light such as moonlight, starlight, and sky glow so that the viewed scene becomes visible to the operator. An eye guard prevents visible and infrared light from being emitted from the eyepiece. The AN/TVS-5 is presently the standard night sight for the M2 .50 Caliber and 40mm MK19 heavy machine guns.
The AN/TVS-5 can be tripod mounted for surveillance, however it is generally used in the Marine Corps as a crew-served weapon night sight. The sight comes furnished with the mounting bracket and reticle for the M2 machine gun. Brackets and reticles for use with other weapons must be separately requisitioned. A carrying bag and battery adapter for low temperature operations may also be requisitioned.
History: The AN/TVS-5 was designed in the 1970s to provide a night fighting capability with crew-served weapons. It was procured during the 1980s and delivered to the Fleet Marine Forces upon receipt.
General Characteristics, AN/TVS-5 Crew Served Weapon Night Sight
Manufacturer:
IMO, VARO, Garland, Texas and various vendors
Length:
15 inches (38.1 centimeters)
Width:
6 inches (15.24 centimeters)
Height:
6 inches (15.24 centimeters)
Weight:
8 pounds (3.63 kilograms)
Magnification:
6.5x
Range, Vehicle-Sized Target:
Starlight: 1000 yards (914 meters)
Moonlight: 1200 yards (1096.8 meters)
Field of View:
9? (circular)
Power Source:
2.7 volt mercury battery: BA-1567/U, BA-5567/U, BA-3058/U
Unit Replacement Cost:
$4,005
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 9:38pm
Rating: 10
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Su-25 Frogfoot
Function: Dedicated Close Air Support (CAS) ground attack fighter.
History: Introduced in 1980, the Su-25 Frogfoot was the first dedicated ground attack aircraft produced by the Soviet Union since the World War Two era propeller driven Il-2 Shturmovik. drawing heavily on lessons learned by the American Air Force during the vietnam war, and mirroring the performance of the American A-10 Warthog, the Frogfoot is a rugged aircraft capable of accuratly delivering a heavy payload from low altitude and surviving in the low level, high threat forward area environment. Though the Sukhoi Design Bureau originally sought to rely on speed to survive, it was determined that increased speed reduced the low level battlefield effectiveness of the aircraft. In short, if the aircraft was to perform its job effectivly, it would have to be capable of operating at low speeds; speed would be sacrificed for low speed maneuverability and heavy armor.
After several design changes, the first prototypes were approved in 1980. The first production Frogfoots were equipped with twin multi-fuel non afterburning turbojet engines, a twin barreled internally mounted 30mm cannon, titanium armor around the pilot and control surfaces, and foam filled, non-explosive self sealing fuel cells. The Su-25 was equipped with eleven underwing and under body hard points, was capable of delivering 4000 kilograms (8,818 pounds) of ordnance and could be operated off of unimproved dirt strips.
Following combat experience in Afganistan, an improved version, the Frogfoot-B, was fielded in 1984. The B model was a production modified version of the two seat Frogfoot-A trainer. The second seat was removed, as was the internal gun, and additional fuel, armor, and avionics were installed, in addition to an improved 30mm cannon, mounted in an external pod. In addition, the Frogfoot's lack of all weather, night time capability was addressed by incorperating a Forward Looking Infra Red (FLIR) low light navigation system as well as a TV camera and laser designator, spot tracker and rangefinding package.
Although the Frogfoot has been out of production for a number of years, it still remains in front line service with Russia's Frontal Aviation as well as many export nations, including Iraq.
General Characteristics, Su-25 Frogfoot
Designer:
Sukhoi Design Bureau
Power Plant:
Two MNPK Tumanskii R-195 turbojets
Thrust:
9,921 pounds thrust each
Length:
15.53 meters (50 feet, 11.5 inches)
Height:
4.80 meters (15 feet, 9 inches)
Wingspan:
14.36 m (47 feet, 1.4 inches)
Speed:
950 kmh (590 mph) at sea level
Date Deployed:
1980
Ceiling:
7,000 meters (22,965 feet)
Weight:
9,800 kilograms (21,605 pounds) empty
Maximum Takeoff Weight:
18,600 kilograms (41,005 pounds)
Range:
Combat radius 495 kilometers (308 miles)
Crew:
One
Armament:
One AO-17A 30-mm twin barreled cannon
4,000 kilograms (8,818 pounds) of external ordinance including missiles, rockets, gravity bombs, and guided munitions carried on 11 hardpoints
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 10:02pm
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ZPU-4 14.5mm Anti-Aircraf
Function: Lightweight towed anti-aircraft gun.
Background:Introduced in 1949 the ZPU-4 is a quad version of the basic Soviet 14.5mm machine gun. The ZPU-4 saw service with North Korea during the Korean War and with Iraq during the Gulf War. During the Vietnam war the ZPU-4 was considered to be the most dangerous anti-helicopter weapon of the war. Exported to numerous countries worldwide, the ZPU-4 was also manufactured in China as the Type 56.
Description: The ZPU-4 system is made up four air-cooled, fully automatic 14.5mm machineguns mounted on a 4 wheeled, two axle chassis. While the ZPU-4 may be fired while limbered for traveling, the gun can be jacked off of the ground, using built in leveling jacks, for increased stability.
General Characteristics, ZPU-4 14.5mm Anti-Aircraft Gun
Length:
4 feet (1.2 meters)
Width:
5 feet (1.5 meters)
Height:
6 feet (1.8 meters)
Weight:
1 ton
Rate of Fire:
550-600 rounds per minute, per gun.
Maximum Range:
1,400m vs. air targets
Introduction Date:
1949
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 11:33pm
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CV59 - Forrestal Class Ai
Function: America's first class of "super" carrier.
History: Built in 1959, the Forrestal class carriers were the first of the "super" carriers, built specifically to accommodate modern jet aircraft. In addition to her many other special features, the Forrestal class sported an angled flight deck deck which permitted continual flight operations and multiple steam driven catapults for launching aircraft. Four ships of the Forrestal class were built; Forrestal (CV-59), Saratoga (CV-60), Ranger (CV-61), and Independence (CV-62.) All of the Forrestal carriers supported combat operations in Vietnam. On July 29th, 1967, while operating off the coast of Vietnam a weapons malfunction caused a combination fire and explosion chain reaction that would cause the greatest loss of life since the Franklin (CV-13) was bombed by the Japanese during World War II.
General Characteristics, Forrestal Class
Builders:
CV 61 - Newport News Shipbuilding Co., Newport News, VA
CV 62 - New York Naval Shipyard, Brooklyn, NY
Power Plant:
Eight Foster & Wheeler boilers, four Westinghouse steam turbines, four shafts, 260,000 shaft horsepower (Forrestal) 280,000 shaft horsepower (all others)
Date Deployed:
August 10, 1957; decommissioned July 10, 1993 (USS Ranger)
January 10, 1959; decommissioned September 30, 1998 (USS Independence)
Length, Overall:
1076 feet (323.85 meters)
Flight Deck Length:
252 feet (76.81 meters)
Beam:
130 feet (39.62 meters)
Displacement:
Approx. 79,300 tons full load
Speed:
30+ knots (34.52+mph, 55.55+ kph)
Crew:
Ship's Company: 3,019 - Air Wing: 2,480
Armament:
Three Mk 29 Launchers for NATO Sea Sparrow (RIM-7M) Surface to Air missile
One Mk 15 Mod 2 Close-In Weapon System (3 mounts)
Sensors:
One AN/SPS-48 air search radar
One AN/SPS-49 air search radar
One AN/SPS-67 surface search radar
Three Mk 91 fire control directors (Sea Sparrow)
Countermeasures:
One Mk 36 Mod 2 Super Rapid-Blooming Off Board Chaff System (SRBOC)
One AN/SLQ-29 electronic warfare suite
One AN/SLQ-25 towed torpedo decoy (Nixie)
Aircraft:
75
Ships:
USS Ranger (CV-61), Decommissioned, in Reserve
USS Independence (CV-62), Decommissioned, in Reserve
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David
Sun January 4, 2004 12:31am
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NR-1 Deep Submergence Cra
Function: A nuclear-powered ocean engineering and research submarine.
History: NR-1, the first deep submergence vessel using nuclear power, was launched at Groton on Jan. 25, 1969, and successfully completed her initial sea trials August 19, 1969. It maneuvers by four ducted thrusters, two in the front and two in the rear. The vehicle also has planes mounted on the sail, and a conventional rudder. NR-1's missions have included search, object recovery, geological survey, oceanographic research, and installation and maintenance of underwater equipment. NR-1's unique capability to remain at one site and completely map or search an area with a high degree of accuracy has been a valuable asset on several occasions. Following the loss of the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1986, the NR-1 was used to search for, identify, and recover critical parts of the Challenger craft. Because it can remain on the sea floor without resurfacing frequently, NR-1 was a major tool for searching deep waters. NR-1 remained submerged and on station even when heavy weather and rough seas hit the area and forced all other search and recovery ships into port. Today, NR-1 continues to provide a valuable service to the Navy and many research and educational institutions.
Description: The NR-1 performs underwater search and recovery, oceanographic research missions and installation and maintenance of underwater equipment, to a depth of almost half a mile. Its features include extendable bottoming wheels, three viewing ports, exterior lighting and television and still cameras for color photographic studies, an object recovery claw, a manipulator that can be fitted with various gripping and cutting tools and a work basket that can be used in conjunction with the manipulator to deposit or recover items in the sea. Surface vision is provided through the use of a television periscope permanently installed on a mast in her sail area. NR-1 has sophisticated electronics and computers that aid in navigation, communications, and object location and identification. It can maneuver or hold a steady position on or close to the seabed or underwater ridges, detect and identify objects at a considerable distance, and lift objects off the ocean floor. NR-1 can travel submerged at approximately four knots for long periods, limited only by its supplies. It can study and map the ocean bottom, including temperature, currents, and other information for military, commercial and scientific uses. Its nuclear propulsion provides independence from surface support ships and essentially unlimited endurance. NR-1 is generally towed to and from remote mission locations by an accompanying surface tender, which is also capable of conducting research in conjunction with the submarine.
General Characteristics, NR-1
Builders:
General Dynamics Electric Boat Division
Power Plant:
1 nuclear reactor, 1 turbo-alternator; 2 motors (external), 2 propellers, 4 ducted thrusters (2 horizontal, 2 vertical)
Date Deployed:
Oct. 27, 1969
Length, Overall:
150 feet (45.72 meters)
Displacement:
400 long tons (406.42 metric tons)
Diameter:
12 feet (3.66 meters)
Maximum Operating Depth:
2,375 feet (723.90 meters)
Crew:
2 officer, 3 enlisted, 2 scientists
Armament:
None
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Bill Farnie
Sun January 4, 2004 12:17pm
Rating: 10
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D Company 1/506th 101st A
Due to prior commitments, some of the Currahee veterans from D Co, 1-506th, 1969 attending the 2002 Currahee Reunion could not participate in the Saturday, August 17, Bus Trip to Washington, DC, so they drove down on Friday, August 16, to the Vietnam Wall for their own special ceremony.
E-7 Ron Kane was awarded a Silver Star for his actions on Hill 996 on July 11, 1969; however, Ron was wounded and hospitalized, and the Army sent him his Silver Star in the mail after he returned home, so Ron was unable to participate in the official ceremony where he would have been pinned with the Silver Star by his CO. The Delta Company veterans attending the Reunion were determined to rectify this situation.
MAJ(R) Gerald Curtis (LT in D Company in 1969) presents E-7 Ronald Kane a miniature of the Silver Star that he earned on July 11, 1969 on Hill 996
(L-R): Richard "Doc" Daniels; Sal Gonzalez (RTO), Ronald "Gumby" Kane; Jim "Bike" Hoyt (also a Silver Star recipient on Hill 996), Bryan Rapp (M-60 Gunner), and William "Frisbee" Farnie
The group is standing in front of the panel containing the names of the men who died on Hill 996
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David
Fri January 9, 2004 6:12am
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101st Airborne Viet. Subd
101st Airborne Viet. Subdued Patch 11/1967-3/1972
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David
Fri January 9, 2004 2:24pm
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Vietnam (RVN) Ranger Fore
Vietnam (RVN) Ranger Foreign Insignia 1960's-1971
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David
Sat January 10, 2004 1:57am
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MAAG Vietnam Cloth Patch
MAAG Vietnam Cloth Patch 4/1956-3/1965
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