From: bergman@afnews.af.mil (CMSgt Mike Bergman)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: How Weapon Systems Fared in DESERT STORM
Date: 17 Apr 92 00:54:01 GMT
Organization: Hq Air Force News Agency/SCC


From CMSgt Mike Bergman <bergman@afnews.af.mil>

Following produced primarily for DOD Internal Distribution, but 
is in public domain:


How Weapon Systems
Fared in Desert Storm

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Information Service

     Many American weapon systems used during Operation Desert
Storm entered combat for the first time.
     Like all debuts, there were some problems, but the overall
tone of DoD's report to Congress on the conduct of the Persian Gulf
War is positive.
     The performance of weapons like the Patriot missile and the
M-1A1 tank during the war is still the subject of debate in
Congress and in the media.  Americans watched in amazement as
television showed smart bombs tracking right into the door of a
bunker.
     The success rates for the weapons were good, but they were not
as high as first thought.  Some weapon systems -- like the Patriot
-- were adapted to their new roles.  Others -- like the Joint
Surveillance and Target Attack Radar System -- were experimental
and rushed to the gulf to fill a specific need.
     Despite each weapon system's differences and capabilities,
there were common problems.
     The biggest problem experienced in Desert Storm was location.
Weapon systems from the AH-1 Cobra helicopter to the M-1A1 Abrams
tank lacked on-board locating systems.  Flying or maneuvering in
the featureless desert terrain proved difficult.  No landmarks
offered easy ways to tell where units were.  DoD officials said
some fixes were added during the buildup to the war.  In most
cases, adapting the Global Positioning System to the various weapon
systems will solve that obstacle.
     A second common problem was communications.  Unit commanders
reported communications difficulties on the ground, aircraft had
problems communicating with each other, and ground observers often
had problems communicating with aircraft.  DoD experts suggested
several solutions.
     With helicopters, a common problem was sand abrasion of
rotors.
     Here is a list of selected weapon systems and their
performance during Desert Storm according to the report:
     AH-64 Apache helicopter.  The Army's premier attack
helicopter, AH-64s struck the first blow of the air war when they
destroyed a key Iraqi air defense complex.  Before the war, many
critics questioned whether the complex system could be maintained.
Experience showed a 90 percent availability rate.  Communications
was a problem, and sand caused some maintenance problems.
     F-117A Nighthawk stealth fighter.  In many ways, this stealthy
fighter was the most conspicuous weapon system in the war.  The
F-117 attacked the most heavily defended targets in Iraq.  Using
smart bombs, the F-117 pinpointed targets in downtown Baghdad.
This accuracy made it possible to lessen damage to civilian
buildings.  The report says the aircraft's stealth characteristics
were successful since no aircraft was shot down.
     M-1A1 Abrams tank.  The main battle tank proved its success
during the ground war.  The report says the Abrams was able to
shoot on the move.  The optics and thermal sighting outclassed the
Iraqi T-72s.  American tankers were able to site and shoot at a far
greater distance than the enemy.  This cut two ways:  While
American tankers were able to kill enemy tanks at long range, they
often could not identify them, leading to friendly fire deaths.  On
the debit side, the M-1A1s consumed a lot of fuel, and the tanks
often outran their support vehicles.
     Patriot Air Defense System.  The Patriot is probably the most
controversial weapon system deployed to the Persian Gulf.  Built as
an anti-aircraft system, it was also intended to defend small
sites, such as airfields.  The system was modified to defend
against ballistic missiles and pressed into service to defend
larger tracts and cities.  Claims vary about how effective it was
against Iraqi Scud missiles.  The report leaves the question
unanswered, saying, "even with the results from ... analysis, a
finite, quantitative scoring of Patriot effectiveness may not be
possible."  The report does credit the weapon system with helping
to keep Israel out of the war.
     Tomahawk cruise missile.  These cruise missiles helped open
the war.  The report says the war "validated" the cruise missile
concept.  It also states the launching system success rate was 98
percent and the accuracy of the system was consistent with results
from precombat testing.
      Joint Surveillance and Target Attack System.  JSTARS is an
Army/Air Force experimental project rushed into service in the
gulf.  The radar is designed to spot enemy ground vehicles.  During
the war, it located Scud missile sites, convoys, river crossing
sites, supply dumps, assembly areas and retreat routes.  One
tactical success for the system occurred during the battle for
Khafji.  The system showed no Iraqi reinforcements being sent,
which helped commanders plan a counterattack.
     Bradley fighting vehicle.   The Bradley fighting vehicle is
designed to transport infantry units as well as fight alongside
Abrams tanks.  Mounting a TOW launcher, it was able to take out
enemy armor at long range.  While the thermal sights were good,
they were not high-resolution.  The vehicle also lacked a laser
range finder.  This hindered gunnery accuracy.  Soldiers said the
Bradleys were easy to maintain, and they were able to keep pace
during the 100-hour ground war.
     Land Mine Countermeasures and Obstacle Breaching System.  This
covers 10 sub-systems fielded by the Army and Marines.  They were
disappointments.  Vehicles were vulnerable to enemy fire, charges
did not go off properly or were not effective against certain types
of mines, and the vehicles were too slow to keep up with
fast-moving combat forces.  The report points out the need for
vehicles dedicated to clearing mines and obstacles deployed with
forward forces.  Officials also recommend research into standoff
mine detection.
     Aircraft carriers.  Aircraft carrier battle groups were the
first U.S. units in the Persian Gulf region.  They were able to
provide airpower where most needed, quickly.  The air wings on
carriers allowed for complex strikes to be flown without calling
for other planes.  On the downside, carrier aircraft don't have the
legs to fly long missions.  They required refueling from Air Force
land-based aircraft, and the Air Force fuel is more flammable than
the Navy's, whichincreased fire hazards aboard ship.
     Space systems.  Space systems provided the eyes and ears for
Desert Storm forces.  Planners used the satellites for weather
forecasting, communications, location and mapping.  Distributing
the satellite information proved difficult.  Also, communications
satellites could be jammed.  Finally, there is no capacity within
the United States to launch replacement satellites quickly.


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