US Weapons of the

Persian Gulf War

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

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

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.

BGM - 109

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

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

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

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

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

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-15 E

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

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.

UAV

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.

Desert Storm - Ground Desert Storm - Ground OffensiveOffensive

M - 1A1

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.

M - 109A6

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.

HMMWV

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

M2/M3

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.

MLRS

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.

M-9

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

0500

10001500200025003000350040004500

tan

ks

Art

ille

ry

AP

C

Air

pla

nes

Iraqi (pre-war)

Iraqi (lost)

Never Forget those who have served their country!!!