By Frank Kamuntu
Today the U.S. Army has no shortage of lethal weapons. Some of them are expensive. Some of them are very complex. Others are praised by politicians, or defense contractors. However not all of the weapons in the U.S. Army’s inventory are desired by the troops in the field.
Here are five of the best U.S. Army weapons:
1. AH-64 Apache
The best weapon in the U.S. Army inventory is the Apache helicopter. It might sound ironic that an aircraft is the best weapon of the land forces. However airpower is the most decisive factor in the conflicts where the U.S. military has recently thought. Most likely that the AH-64 Apache and its variants will remain the most decisive factor on the battlefield for many years to come.
This deadly helicopter is armed with a 30-mm cannon, Hellfire missiles and state-of-the-art sensors. This machine has the firepower, speed and range to hit the enemies long before the contact with the U.S. ground troops. The Apache helicopter proved itself well during the Operation Desert Storm and recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. This machine can easily destroy armored columns or hunt down insurgents.
The U.S. ground troops can call in their own air support. They do not have to rely on the U.S. Air Force, or the U.S. Navy aircraft. And the ground troops appreciate the support the Apache can provide.
2. M1A2 SEP
The M1A2 SEP is a successor to the M1A2 Abrams. It is one of the best main battle tanks in the world. This mighty machine forms a backbone of the U.S. armored forces.
The basic M1 Abrams has been around since the 1980s. During the Operation Desert Storm it decimated Iraq’s Soviet-made armor. It has seen combat during the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. To date very few Abrams tanks have been destroyed.
The M1A2 SEP is the latest upgraded version with improved armor and a number of other improvements. This tank has incredible technology and depleted-uranium armor. Even though it weights over 60 t, this tank has a top speed of nearly 70 km/h due to its complex gas turbine engine. Its powerful 120-mm gun packs a formidable punch. It can knock-out the Russian T-90 or the China’s Type 99 tanks.
It is planned that the Abrams tanks will remain in service with the U.S. Army beyond 2050.
3. M109A6 Paladin
The M109A6 Paladin is the current version of the venerable M109 self-propelled howitzer. The original M109 was adopted by the U.S. Army in the early 1960s. It saw its combat debut during the war in Vietnam. It was used during the Gulf War and during recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
This hard-hitting artillery system fires 155-mm projectiles. With a rocket assisted projectile it can reach targets at a range of 30 km. The Paladin can also fire GPS- or laser-guided Excalibur rounds. On the battlefield this artillery system takes a back seat. However it is one of the most devastating weapons of war.
The basic M109 ha been upgraded a number of times. The M109A7 is the latest version of the Paladin. It has been ordered by the U.S. Army. First deliveries were planned to begin in 2015 and full-rate production is planned to begin in 2017.
4. TOW
Even though Russians seem to be the kings in anti-tank missiles it is easy to forget that the USA is not a loser either. The TOW anti-tank guided missile is still strong after nearly 45 years of service. It proved itself a very effective weapon. The TOW has destroyed many tanks, mostly Russian. It was used during the war in Vietnam.
The TOW missiles are typically used by separate anti-tank companies for heavy anti-armor work. But once this missile hits, it can knock-out even the most protected enemy tanks.
The TOW missiles are carried by a number of U.S. Army vehicles, such as the HMMWV, M2 and M3 Bradleys. Also the army has an M1134, a dedicated anti-tank missile carrier, based on the Stryker.
Development of this anti-tank guided missile continues to this day and new versions appear. There are top-attack missiles, that explode above the thin top armor of the tank. Also there is a bunker-busting version of the TOW, that is used against buildings and fortifications.
5. M2
The M2 heavy machine gun is one of the Army’s best weapons. It was designed by the famous John Browning towards the end of World War I. It entered service with the U.S. armed forces in 1933. The M2 has seen action during countless wars. Until recently The M2HB was the standard infantry version, that was also used on armored vehicles, tanks and helicopters.
This remarkable weapon proved to be extremely successful. It is highly effective against infantry, unarmored or lightly armored vehicles, boats, light fortifications and helicopters. It terms of firepower this heavy machine gun is closer to a small cannon.
Even though it is more than 80 years old, the M2 is still in service with the U.S. Army. The recent M2A1 has only minor improvements. Since 2011 all 45 000 M2HBs are being upgraded to the M2A1 standard.
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