MIM-72 Chaparral

The display reads:

 

MIM-72 Chaparral

 

The Chaparral missile system was developed in the mid-1960s as a surfaced-launched version of the Navy’s AIM-9D Sidewinder missile. The Chaparral and the 20mm Vulcan gun system complemented each other in the daytime, fair weather role by combining the quick reaction and extremely low altitude capability of the Vulcan with the longer range capability of the Chaparral. They, in turn, complemented the shoulder-fired Redeye guided missile system and the low to medium-altitude air defense role of the self-propelled Hawk missile system. These weapons, together with the Forward Area Alerting Radar (FAAR), filled the gap in forward area air defense, which was left by the termination of the XMIM-46 Mauler program in November 1965.

 

Both the Vulcan and the Chaparral were developed from existing weapon systems and the Initial Operational Test & Evaluation phase went fairly quickly for both. By October 1968, the Vulcan combat team was sent to Vietnam for combat trials. However, while the Vulcan deployed to Vietnam in 1968, the Chaparral’s first overseas assignment sent two batteries of Chaparrals from the 1-59th ADA to Germany in 1969 to bolster short range air defense (SHORAD) in the Fulda Gap region. The Chaparral’s first combat test came in 1973 when an Israeli system engaged and destroyed a Russian-built MIG-17 over the Golan Heights during the Yom Kippur War.

 

The Chaparral’s two main weaknesses: the limitations of the missile seeker head and the rocket motor’s smoke plume were addressed by the mid-1970s and upgrades to the system made the missile far more potent against incoming targets. These system upgrades and the failure of the US Roland all-weather missile system to be fielded in significant numbers, ensured that the Chaparral would be in service through the mid-1990s.

 

In 1990, 6-3 ADA deployed to Kuwait as part of the Operation Desert Shield buildup. While not the only Chaparral-trained unit to deploy to the region, they were the only Chaparral battalion that served on their actual weapon system during the conflict. 3-2 ADA deployed as well, but fell in on a battalion’s worth of TATRA trucks and served in the transportation role throughout their deployment. 6-3 ADA provided air defense security for elements of the 1st Armored Division’s drive northwards into Iraq during the ground phase of Operation Desert Storm, but the air threat failed to materialize.

 

Plans were in place to upgrade the missile to AIM-9M standard, which greatly increased the missile’s performance and no longer limited it to a stern-chase flight profile. However, by this time the AN/TWQ-1 was already in full production and replacing the aging Chaparral.

 

Chaparral Missile Specifications:

 

Length: 9 feet 6 inches

Wingspan: 2 feet 1 inch

Diameter: 5 inches

Launch Weight: 190 lbs

Speed: Mach 1.5 (1,100 mph @ sea level)

Range: 5 miles

Altitude: 82 to 13,000 feet

Guidance: Passive Infrared

Motor: MK 50 Solid-Fuel Rocket Motor (12.2 kN) for 4.7 seconds

Warhead: 27 lb Mk48 Continuous-Rod Warhead

 

The Chaparral carried a full compliment of twelve MIM-72C missiles, four on the launcher and an additional eight (with fins removed) in the stowage racks at the track’s rear.

 

By 1990, the Chaparral had a FLIR sensor incorporated, greatly improving the system’s night / all-weather capability.

 

The Chaparral was composed of two main systems: the M54 turret that housed the sensors, launch controls and missiles and the full tracked M730A1 carrier.

 

Taken December 13th, 2013.

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