Weapons In The Vietnam War

Although the Vietnam War costs the lives of many American Soldiers it helped develop

today's military forces. During the Vietnam War the U.S Army deployed multiple Air Defense

battalions to the peninsula of Vietnam due to demands of fire support. The Vietnam War

required the use of different Air Defense mobile and stationary equipment to fight and defend

against enemy forces. This Essay will discuss how the Vietnam conflict helped to shape and

evolve today's Air Defense Artillery and how it affects today's military operations.

The method of warfare used in the Twentieth Century and beyond would change due to the

use of air power in the Vietnam War. The Vietnam War became a testing ground for the United

States military
military as well

as political objectives. The requirements of all four military services became available and

utilized for their air components. For the first time in the history of modern warfare, jet bombers

and fighters implied a great deal. Many historians would argue that the air war was too costly in

lives and money resulting in many differences of opinion regarding the effectiveness of the air

campaign during the Vietnam War. Many advocates and supporters of the air campaign would

say that it dawned a new age in warfare and actually helped bring the war to an end

state. Nevertheless, the air campaign was not without cost. With the help of the former Soviet

Union, the North Vietnamese had developed an extensive air defense network, and the United

States suffered heavy plane, helicopter and pilot losses throughout the campaign leading to

the realization that the United States needed to counteract this new development.

The United States needed a weapon with speed, power, and armor protection. With this

intention, the United States began to recall the air defense weapon system, known as the
The Duster dominated the skies in Vietnam

giving the United States an advantage against enemy aircraft and missiles in the Vietnam War.

The Duster was also a weapon used in land warfare, as well. Using this weapon proved to be

more effective on the ground than Soldiers with automatic weapons. M-42A1 was also a weapon

of choice for nighttime operations, for being fitted with infrared searchlights with lock on

capabilities, and could operate undetected. (Vince Hawkins) stated "The Viet Cong called them

"“Fire Dragons,” because their high volume of fire and tracer ammunition gave the appearance

of a dragon’s breath." (https://armyhistory.org/duster-m42-self-propelled-anti-aircraft-gun/). The M42 Duster had its advantages but also had its disadvantages. Built in 1952 out of Cleveland, Ohio, the M42 Duster sole purpose was to provide defense for anti-aircraft but their rapid rate of fire proved to be useless when engaging ground targets. The 40mm Bofor cannons was only effective for a small period of time due to project costs. It would also take a minimum of four soldiers to operate the machine. The Soldiers of Charlie Battery 1st Battalion 44th Air Defense Artillery had their work cut out for them. There is documentation showing over 3,700 Dusters made throughout 1959. Nevertheless, in 1963 the Duster got discontinued from service and replaced by the MIM 23