Effectiveness of Shillelagh Missile?
EF Hill
Hey Folks!
Back in the '60's the Army developed the M-551 Sheridan and equipped
it with a 152mm gun/missile launcher. I've been told by _NUMEROUS_
people that the gun system was incredibly bad (blew the sights out
of whack everytime it was fired apparently), but I've never heard
anything towards the effectiveness of the missile. Heck, in all of
my references I've only come across it being MENTIONED three times,
all in reference to the unsuccessfulness of the Sheridan weapon
system.
So, my question is:
How effective was the Shillelagh missile system? Was it ever used
on anything other than the Sheridan and the M-60A2? What was the
guidance system? What was it's range, warhead, penetration, other
vital statistics ad nauseum? [When answering these questions please
refrain from slamming/praising the M-551/M-60A2. I've got plenty
of references and 'war stories' collected on these vehicles.]
Thanks in advance, and I really appreciate any help that y'all can
give me on this.
PS: The topic came up at work, we have 2 former USA, 2 former USAF,
and 2 mil. brats (1 USAF (moi)), 1 USA). It's pretty sad when 6
mechanics get bored and start discussing weapons systems... :)
_____________________________________________________________________
-Andy Hill (The Draken) <*> ASE MasterTech, S6 Electrical
_WHO_ME_? Speak for _FIRESTONE_!?! _SURELY_ you jest!
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
"First you will know pain, then you will know fear, then you will
drive a 1984 Escort..." -jge...@sdcc15.ucsd.edu
KCAIRSHOW
Alot going on at Redstone Arsenal during the developement of the
Shillelagh, HAWK, PERSHING, HERCULES, REDEYE, JUPITER, MERCURY and the
TOW, even Redstone........
29 Apr 59** The Chief of Ordnance authorized development of the
Combat Vehicle Weapon System (Pentomic) and assigned overall
weapon system responsibility to the Ordnance Tank-Automotive
Command (OTAC). The latter agency delegated contractual supervision
authority to ARGMA that same month. In Jun 59, the Chief of
Ordnance reoriented the development program and assigned the
popular name SHILLELAGH to the project. This was one of the few
missile programs in which an AOMC element served in a support
capacity to another Ordnance Corps installation.
11 Jun 59** Development of the SHILLELAGH subsystem began with
Aeronutronic, a division of Ford Motor Company, as prime contractor.
1 Nov 60** The first SHILLELAGH firing from a launcher was conducted.
15 Sep 61** The first guided firing of a SHILLELAGH test vehicle was
conducted.
2 May 62 The first SHILLELAGH missile was fired at a moving target.
I first fired a Shillegagh at Tank Gunnery from a "Armored Reconnaissance
Track Vehicle", since the M561 Sheridan wasn't actually classified as a
tank, in the spring of 1973 at Fort Stewart, GA. The Shillelagh never
lifted the road wheels up on the Sheridan like a heat round (that would
lift the first three road wheels up. Had alot of problems with the first
shipments of Shillelagh missiles grounding. Leaving the main gun tube
then scrambling around in the dirt in front of you. The missile was
infra-red guided. We mounted the red-eyes on top of the main gun tube. I
was impressed with the system because it was the first missile you could
fire at a target while the target was behind a object (hill) fire the road
then drop the main gun tube and it would seek the target. My belief is
that the missile technology was advancing fast and the Shillelagh didn't
last.
If you ever need a good jpeg of the Shillelagh firing, email.........try
alt.fan.battletank newsgroup
Bob Sheffield
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