Pioneer

Seek out and close with the enemy
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G’day gents
I’ve stumbled across this web site

which depicts a prototype (in 1977) SPAAG, which from what I can make out (via translation), combines a 25mm cannon, with the chassis of the XM-701 MICV!
It appears it’s a response to the shock of the effective performance of the ZSU-23-4 ‘Shilka’ SPAAG in the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, in a program what appears to be a program denoted as ‘GLAADS’
This prototype as stated: “included the opto-electronic system with a thermal imager, laser rangefinder, it was tied to the ballistic computer. Apparently, they wanted to outdo the "Shilka"

Does anyone know any more about this prototype?
Does anyone have more information as to what GLAADS program was?

Regards
Pioneer
 

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  • Unknown prototype SPAAG (25mm cannon on XM-701 MICV chassis), from 1977.jpg
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US anti-aircraft cannon trials
The US Army's Gun Low-Altitude
Air-Defence (GLAAD) test-bed has
successfully hit a Firebee drone carrying
out evasive manoeuvres at long
ranges and high speeds. The trials,
at Fort Bliss, Tex, concluded the current
stage of testing. Aeronutronic
Ford has developed the test-bed, which
uses two Bushmaster 25mm guns
mounted on a tracked vehicle, for the
US Army Armament Command.

 
After competitive bids were received from several US aerospace firms, the Aeronutronic Division of Ford Aerospace and Communications Corporation was awarded the contract in June 1973 to develop the GLAAD Test Bed.

Janes Armour & Artillery, 1984
 
Thanks mate ;)
Most helpful - as usual

Regards
Pioneer
 
Just found these couple of snippets of info and drawings in relation to Philco's Gun Low-Altitude Air Defence (GLAADS).

Going by the artist impression, Interesting it appears the XM701 MICV [MICV-65] or a derivative was earmarked as the chassis of choice/intention?


Regards
Pioneer
 

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  • Artist concept of US Army Gun Low-Altitude Air Defence (GLAADS) program 1970's.jpg
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  • Drawing of Philco turret for US Army Gun Low-Altitude Air Defence (GLAADS) program 1970's.jpg
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Here's a potential lead on those cannons @Pioneer
Maybe this could be moved over to the Army projects section now?
Before the U.S. tests were completed, however, Philco-Ford acquired all rights to the TRW-6425. TRW ceased work on the gun in 1969. Since then, Philco-Ford has further developed their version, the PFB-25 and Ocrlikon has fabricated the KB series which is similar to the 25mm cannon TRW-6425. Oerlikon then cooperated with Philco-Ford on ammunition for the PFB-25.
 
Here's a potential lead on those cannons @Pioneer
Maybe this could be moved over to the Army projects section now?
Before the U.S. tests were completed, however, Philco-Ford acquired all rights to the TRW-6425. TRW ceased work on the gun in 1969. Since then, Philco-Ford has further developed their version, the PFB-25 and Ocrlikon has fabricated the KB series which is similar to the 25mm cannon TRW-6425. Oerlikon then cooperated with Philco-Ford on ammunition for the PFB-25.
Thank you isayyo2, interesting.

Regards
Pioneer
 
Found these interesting excerpts and images on the GLAADS program:

Jane's World Armored Fighting Vehicles 1976
GLAADS USA—Early in 1976 trials started with a GLAADS at Fort Bliss, Texas. This consists of a XM701 MICV chassis with a new turret armed with tw'in 25mm guns. The system was developed under the direction of the United States Army Armament Command and the Rodman Laboratory at Rock Island, and Frankford Arsenal. Design work was carried out by Aeronutronic-Ford Corporation at Newport Beach. The twin 25mm guns are fed from two feed chutes (ie two per gun). The advanced fire control system includes a fully integrated and stabilized optical, infrared and laser sensors. The sensors feed data to a computer developed by Rockwell (Autonetics), and this computers the necessary lead and elevation angles.

Aviation Week & Space Technology - Volume 98 - 23 April 1973 p.11
General Dynamics is proposing to use a Mauser 27-mm high-rate-of-fire cannon for the Army's gun low-altitude air defense systems (GLAADS). The 247-lb. weapon, carried on a 48-in. ring mount, would fire 1,000 rounds/min. General Dynamics has a license for the cannon, which it would produce in this country if it wins the GLAADS competition now under way. Other GLAADS competitors are General Electric, Philco-Ford, Westinghouse and Sperry Rand.

Aviation Week & Space Technology - Volume 98 - 07 May 1973 p.45-46
Army's GLAADS approach calls for a 25-35-mm high-rate-of-fire anti-aircraft gun mounted in a turret on a tracked vehicle chassis and integrated with a closed loop fire control system using FLIR and the laser to thwart zero to 300 meters/sec. targets at ranges beyond 3,000 meters. The GLAADS gyro-stabilized sensors—FLIR, laser and gunner's eyes—have a common line of sight. The FLIR sensor will acquire targets at 7,000 yd. and display them on a cathode ray tube presentation, superimposed over a visual view of the sector on the gunner's stabilized optical sight. The laser-derived range will also be projected onto the sight through the tube. The target will be tracked automatically once the operator has localized it within a 10-milliradian acquisition gate.

The GLAADS FLIR will have two fields of view—20 × 40 deg. in the wide angle and 1 × 2 deg. in the narrow. Its image resolution will be one milliradian in the wide angle and 0.1-0.25 in the narrow. Accuracy will be within 1 mil.
 

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