M551 Sheridian Light Tank
-
The M551 Sheridan was an Armored Reconnaissance Airborne Assault vehicle, developed by the United States, and named after Civil War General Philip Sheridan. It was designed to have both an air drop and swimming capability. Production began in 1966, entering the US Army inventory in 1967. Under the urging of GEN Creighton Abrams, the US Commander of Military Forces in Vietnam at the time, the M-551 was rushed into combat service in Vietnam in Janurary 1969. [3]
Because one of the primary roles of armored cavalry is reconnaissance, the M-551's began replacing the armored cavalry's M-48 Patton tanks in South Vietnam. By 1970, the only M-48 Pattons remaining with an armored cavalry unit in Vietnam was with the 11th (Blackhorse) ACR (Armored Cavalry Regiment); being a full regiment, the 11th ACR was authorized a Tank Troop (company). Armored Cavalry Squadrons in Vietnam, such as the 1/1 (lst Squadron, 1st Cavalry), 3/4, 3/5, 4/12, etc. all were equipped with M-551's by 1970. [2]
During the 1960s, at the time of the M-551's entry into service, the United States Army no longer used the heavy, medium, and light tank classifications. The US Army had adopted the new doctrine of Main Battle Tank (MBT). The US Army still retained the M-41 Walker Bulldog light tank in its component, the Army National Guard, but other than the units under going the transitional process, the regular army only consisted of MBT's. Partly because of this policy, the new M-551, could not be classified as a light tank. As time elapsed, the term "light tank" became acceptable to both the military and civilians. The M-551 Sheridan, has the distinction of being the only US tank that was designed and built during the 1960s, and deployed directly into the Vietnam War.
It was armed with the unique MGM-51 Shillelagh gun-launched missile system. Now retired from service, it saw combat in Vietnam, Operation Just Cause in Panama, and during Operation Desert Shield in Southwest Asia.
-
and during Operation Desert Shield in Southwest Asia.
Eh what Desert Shield in South East Asia....
Operation Desert Sheild is an Operation in Kuwait....Pushing the Iraqi army Out of Kuwait and guarding the border...didnt you see Jarhead ? And read ? -
one say west
one say east
-
In SOA, outside the main gate, you can see a M551 there.
-
SOA = school of animals ?Originally posted by Manager433:In SOA, outside the main gate, you can see a M551 there.
Do u mean near the heritage center ?
-
The same place where you can find a T-XX, M2 AFV.Originally posted by I_love_my_toilet:SOA = school of animals ?
Do u mean near the heritage center ? -
How come so many websites alleges that we have about 100 M551 Sheridans in storage?
-
Ignorant ppl may mistake our M60CEV for the Sheridan, look at the front profile.Originally posted by moca:How come so many websites alleges that we have about 100 M551 Sheridans in storage?
Or perhaps we did consider buying them in the past. -
"Ignorant people" include wikipedia, and include photographic evidence.Originally posted by LazerLordz:Ignorant ppl may mistake our M60CEV for the Sheridan, look at the front profile.
Or perhaps we did consider buying them in the past.
Caption: A M551 Sheridan light tank left to rust in the vehicle park at STA.
Does this look like a M60CEV to you?
I have heard long ago that these were bought by someone for scrap.
But now there are "ignorant people" listing these M551's as part of SAF inventory but "in storage" - numbering 100. -
More goodies:
Caption: A GIAT AMX-13 equipped with thermal-sleeved 90mm gun at the ST Automotive's Portsdown Road facility. -
what's the difference between this and the normal SM1 tank?Originally posted by moca:More goodies:
Caption: A GIAT AMX-13 equipped with thermal-sleeved 90mm gun at the ST Automotive's Portsdown Road facility. -
The concept of M551 is good. A light weight airborne tank that can be air drop and quickly deploy and not too stress on military transport plane. But the big problem abt this Sheridan is the bulky 152mm gun which puts too much recoil on such a light chasis..... It was force to accept such big calibre due to the need to fire ATGM from its tube..
-
Normal SM-1 uses only a L75 75mm gun while this uses a 90mm gun.Originally posted by beavan:what's the difference between this and the normal SM1 tank? -
The gate guardian is AMX-13 while the Sheridian is found in the AHC.
-
The M60A2 had the same gun/missile system. Only 500 built and withdrawn from service early on. How they can build 1,500 M551 and 500 M60A2 using a weapon system that is found to be flawed baffles me.
Didn't they like... test the gun first? -
The Russian T-72, if I'm not wrong, has a gun that's capable of firing both missiles and conventional ammo. And they seemed to have worked well?
-
Politics bro....politics....Originally posted by Daniel-Lim:
The M60A2 had the same gun/missile system. Only 500 built and withdrawn from service early on. How they can build 1,500 M551 and 500 M60A2 using a weapon system that is found to be flawed baffles me.
Didn't they like... test the gun first? -
I read somewhere a story that it was released from a C-130, but the parachute didn't open.......
-
Yes, it buried itself up to the turret.
-
Excellent! No need to dig trench!Originally posted by SingaporeTyrannosaur:Yes, it buried itself up to the turret. -
Talk about going hull down!
-
Any reference on the net?Originally posted by SingaporeTyrannosaur:Yes, it buried itself up to the turret.
So far, no report mentioned this. -
I heard that recently singapore receives 100 post OIF M551 free from Uncle sam. Can anyone verify this? To what i know, SG would never accept the M551 unless i'm wrong
-
Post OIF? You mean the 101st were using them in Iraq?Originally posted by ldffollower76:I heard that recently singapore receives 100 post OIF M551 free from Uncle sam. Can anyone verify this? To what i know, SG would never accept the M551 unless i'm wrong
-
Unfortunately I read it in an old book about US armour (circa 1990s), and have misplaced it since then.Originally posted by moca:Any reference on the net?
So far, no report mentioned this.