us weapons of the persian gulf war objectives: identify the difference between “desert shield”...
TRANSCRIPT
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.
The Conflict
• On August 2, 1990 the country of Iraq invaded and occupied the tiny country of Kuwait
over a “supposed” dispute over oil.
United States RespondsUnited 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).
OutcomeOutcome
• American forces led by Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf would eventually annihilate the Iraqi forces with the world’s most advanced weapons.
Air Support
• American air superiority gave the coalition forces a huge advantage in this conflict.
• American aircraft completed decimated Saddam Huessien’s forces.
• Air superiority included: bombers, attack helicopters, fighter jets and other highly advanced weapons.
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.
B-52 Stratofortress• US Airforce’s 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.
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
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 pilot’s helmet; targeting information seen
• Primary use in Gulf was to destroy tanks and armored vehicles - highly effective weapon.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 Tomahawk destroying Iraqi postionIraqi postion
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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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