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.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 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 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.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 -• 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.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

aircraftaircraft

• 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.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 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 • 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 missilesinclude 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.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 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 • 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 Desert Storm -- Ground 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• 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 • 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 • 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.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. 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 3000

3500

4000

4500

• The Iraqi forces were

totally destroyed by

the American led

Coalition forces.

• 100,000 Iraqis killed;

148 Americans

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

tanks

Artillery

APC

Airplanes

Iraqi (pre-war)

Iraqi (lost)

Never Forget those

who have served

their country!!!