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M730 Chaparral

1969 COLD WAR GULF WAR

History

The M48 Chaparral SAM system consists of an infrared thermal seeker missile, a launch vehicle with a FLIR (forward looking infrared) sight and a tracked launch vehicle. This defense system is designed to work with the short-range M163 Vulcan air defense system. Essentially, the Chaparral system is essentially an improved version of the M548 tracked hauler that works with the M54 launch and control system, which includes four launch tracks.

The system uses the "9A" cargo-carrying, self-propelled tracked vehicle variant of the M730 series of the M113 armoured personnel carrier, which can be made an amphibious vehicle by adding an existing flotation kit. Drag configuration is also available.

The M48 Chaparral Fire Unit can be mounted on a carrier or used without it. The launcher includes a swivel mount with four missile launch rails and provides the gunner with the option of automatic or manual tracking aiming and firing (the operator can visually guide the missile to the target and rely on the internal infrared guidance system to complete the task . ). Another eight rockets are stored in the vehicle. The missile (a surface-to-air version of the AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile) is lightweight, supersonic, fire-and-forget, has an infrared homing system, and is capable of engaging both fixed-wing and rotating targets.

In order to improve the detection range and capability of the missile, the Rose Scanning Seeker (RSS) guidance section was developed, which can effectively counter infrared interference. The missile is carried and handled as an assembled single-shot ammunition. Before launch, the crew demonstrated the blast enclosures provided to protect themselves, the nacelle and the engine compartment from the violent start-up explosions inherent in such missiles.

The front winch is mounted on the crawler.

The M48 Chaparral provides a short-range (5,250 yd/2,500 m) mobile air defense system to defeat aircraft at low altitudes. The system is designed to be mobile, self-contained and air transportable. In total, the U.S. Army deploys 600 fires and more than 5,300 AIM-9 missiles, with many more exported to other militaries.

The M48 Chaparral was retired from front-line service in late 1997.

The M548 had an improved cooling system, an advantage that was added to the existing models of the M730 series, resulting in the M730A1 name. NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) was added along with a new RISE propulsion assembly, while the front winch was removed, allowing for another designation, M730A2.