F/A-18A/C/CN Hornet

Primary function: Intercept and destroy enemy aircraft under all-weather conditions and attack and destroy surface targets.
Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglas
Propulsion: Two General Electric F404-GE-400 afterburning, low bypass turbofan engines
Thrust: 16,000 pounds per engine
Length: 56 feet (17.06 meters)
Wing span: 37.5 feet (11.43 meters)
Cruise speed: High subsonic to supersonic
Ferry range: Over 2,000 nautical miles (2300 miles)
Combat radius:
Fighter mission: 400 nautical miles (460 miles)
Attack mission: 575 nautical miles (661.25 miles)
Armament: Nine external wing stations, comprising two wingtip stations for an assortment of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons, including AIM-7 Sparrows, AIM-9 Sidewinders, AMRAAMs, AGM-84 Harpoons and AGM-65 Maverick missiles; two inboard wing stations for external fuel tanks or air-to-ground stations; two nacelle fuselage stations for Sparrows or AN/AAS-38 Forward Looking Infrared Radar (FLIR) pods; and a center station for fuel tank or air-to-ground weapons. Air-to-ground weapons include GBU-10 and -12 laser guided bombs, Mk 80 series general purpose bombs, and CBU-59 cluster bombs. AN M61 20mm six-barrel gun is mounted in the nose and has a McDonnell Douglas director gunsight.
Crew: 1
Introduction date: March 1983
Unit Replacement Cost: $28,100,000

Mission: Specific F/A-18A/C/CN tasks include:
- Intercept and destroy enemy aircraft in conjunction with ground or airborne fighter control under all-weather conditions.
- Conduct day and night close air support under the weather.
- Conduct day and night deep air support, under the weather. Deep air support consists of radar search and attack, interdiction, and strikes against enemy installations using all types of weapons compatible with assigned aircraft.
- Conduct armed escort of friendly aircraft.
- Be able to operate from aircraft carriers, advanced bases, and expeditionary airfields.
- Be able to deploy or conduct extended range operations employing aerial refueling.

Features: The Marine Corps F/A-18A/C/CN strike fighter multi-mission aircraft was designed to replace the F-4 Phantom. The F/A-18A/C/CN Hornet is missionized for traditional fighter, attack, and close air support roles through selection of external pods/equipment to accomplish specific mission objectives. Any aircraft can quickly be configured to perform either fighter or attack missions, or both, thus providing the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) commander more flexibility in employing his tactical aircraft in a rapidly changing scenario. Marine F/A18s may be land-based from prepared airfields, or they can operate from expeditionary airfields (EAF). They may also be sea-based, operating from the decks of Navy aircraft carriers.

Inventory: 10 active and 4 reserve squadrons with 12 planes each for a total of 168 planes.

Background: Operation Desert Storm in 1991 was the operational proving ground for the F/A-18A/C. Six single-seat F/A-18A/C squadrons deployed to SWA to participate in combat operations. These squadrons flew in excess of 4600 sorties for a total of 8864 hours while experiencing no combat losses.

UH-1N Huey Helicopter

Primary function: Utility helicopter
Manufacturer: Bell Helicopter Textron
Power plant: Pratt and Whitney T400-CP-400
Power:
Burst: 1290 shaft horsepower (transmission limited)
Continuous: 1134 shaft horsepower (transmission limited)
Length: 57.3 feet (17.46 meters)
Height: 14.9 feet (4.54 meters)
Rotor Diameter: 48 feet (14.62 meters)
Speed: 121 knots (139.15 miles per hour) at sea level
Ceiling: 14,200 feet (4331 meters) (limited to 10,000 feet (3050 meters) by oxygen requirements)
Maximum takeoff weight: 10,500 pounds (4,767 kilograms)
Range: 172 nautical miles (197.8 miles)
Crew:
Officer: 2
Enlisted: 2
Armament: M-240 7.62mm machine gun or the GAU-16 .50 caliber machine gun or the GAU-17 7.62mm automatic gun. All three weapons systems are crew-served, and the GAU-2B/A can also be controlled by the pilot in the fixed forward firing mode. The helicopter can also carry two 7-shot or 19-shot 2.75" rocket pods.
Introduction date: 1971
Unit Replacement Cost: $4,700,000

Mission: Airborne command and control, combat assault, medical evacuation, maritime special operations, supporting arms control and coordination, fire support and security for forward and rear area forces.

Features: The UH-1N is a twin-piloted, twin-engine helicopter used in command and control, resupply, casualty evacuation, liaison and troop transport. The Huey provides utility combat helicopter support to the landing force commander during ship-to-shore movement and in subsequent operations ashore.
The aircraft can be outfitted to support operations such as command and control with a specialized communication package (ASC-26), supporting arms coordination, assault support, medical evacuation for up to six litter patients and one medical attendant, external cargo, search and rescue using a rescue hoist, reconnaissance and reconnaissance support, and special operations using a new navigational thermal imaging system mission kit.
Considered to be the most widely used helicopter in the world, with more than 9,000 produced from the 1950s to the present, the Huey is flown today by about 40 countries.

Inventory: 107

High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) (M998 Truck)

Primary function: The HMMWV provides a variety of wheeled vehicle platforms. These are cargo/troop carrier, armament carrier, TOW missile system carrier, shelter carrier and two ambulance variants (2- and 4-litter). The HMMWV will also be the prime mover for the AN/TRC-170 Radio Digital Terminal and the Pedestal Mounted Stinger System.
Length: 15 feet (4.57 meters)
Width: 7.08 feet (2.16 meters)
Weight: 5,200 pounds (2359 kilograms)
Height: 6.00 feet (1.83 meters) reducible to 4.5 feet (1.37 meters)
Engine: V8, 6.2 litre displacement, fuel injected diesel, liquid cooled, compression ignition
Horsepower: 150 at 3,600 RPM
Transmission: 3 speed, automatic
Transfer case: 2 speed, locking, chain driven
Electrical system: 24 volt, negative ground, 60 amps
Brakes: Hydraulic, 4-wheeled disc
Fording depth:
without preparation: 2.5 feet (76.2 centimeters)
with deep water fording kit: 5 feet (1.5 meters)
Fuel type: Diesel
Fuel capacity: 25 gallons (94.63 liters)
Range: 350 miles (563.15 kilometers) highway
Unit Replacement Cost: $50,000

Mission: The M998 is the baseline vehicle for the M998 series of 1 1/4-ton trucks, which are known as the HMMWV vehicles. The HMMWV vehicles include 11 variants. They are: M998 Cargo/Troop Carrier; M1038 Cargo/Troop Carrier, with winch; M1043 Armament Carrier; M1044 Armament Carrier, with winch; M1045 TOW Carrier; M1046 TOW Carrier, with winch; M997 Ambulance, basic armor 4-Litter; M1035 Ambulance, 2-Litter; M1037 Shelter Carrier; M1042 Shelter Carrier, with winch; M1097 Heavy HMMWV (payload of 4,400 pounds). All HMMWVS are designed for use over all types of roads, in all weather conditions and are extremely effective in the most difficult terrain. The HMMWVS high power-to-weight ratio, four wheeled drive and high ground clearance combine to give it outstanding cross-country mobility.

Inventory: 19,598

M203 40mm Grenade Launcher

Launcher: 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms)
Rifle (M16A2): 8.79 pounds (3.99 kg)
Total (including 30 rounds): 11.79 pounds (5.35 kg)
Bore diameter: 40mm
Maximum effective range:
Area target: 1148.35 feet (350 meters)
Point target: 492.15 feet (150 meters)
Maximum range: 1312.4 feet (400 meters)
Minimum safe range:
Training: 426.53 feet (130 meters)
Combat: 101.71 feet (31 meters)
Unit Replacement Cost: $601

Features: The M203 40mm Grenade Launcher is used while attached to an M16A2 5.56mm rifle. It is a lightweight, compact, breech loading, pump action, single shot launcher. The launcher consists of a hand guard and sight assembly with an adjustable metallic folding, short-range blade sight assembly, and an aluminum receiver assembly which houses the barrel latch, barrel stop and firing mechanism. The launcher is capable of firing a variety of low velocity 40mm ammunition.
The launcher also has a quadrant sight which may be attached to the M16A2 carrying handle and is used when precision is required out to the maximum effective range of the weapon.

Background: The M203 was designed and procured as the replacement for the M79 grenade launcher of the Vietnam era.

Inventory: 10,500

FAV - Advanced Light Strike Vehicle (ALSV)

The Chenowth Advanced Light Strike Vehicle (ALSV) is a high performance all-terrain military vehicle designed to penetrate, survive and win on the high intensity battlefield of the future. The 2-4 seat ALSV traverses virtually any terrain with unmatched agility and speed. The ALSV is the successor to the Chenowth Light Strike Vehicle, the only combat-proven production vehicle in its class in the world. The Chenowth 3 Seat Light Strike Vehicle gained renown in the Gulf War for its ability to operate undetected deep behind Iraqi lines performing reconnaissance and direct action missions for the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Navy SEALs. It is currently in service with the U.S. Armed Forces as well as with NATO allies, and countries in the Middle East and Central America.
The new generation Advanced Light Strike Vehicle incorporates major improvements to firepower and mobility. The ALSV features a main weapon station, with 360° arc of fire, designed to host the M2 50 caliber machine gun or the MK19 automatic grenade launcher. The ALSV can also utilize remote control and stabilized platforms to provide accurate shoot-on-the-move lethality. All wheel drive and an advanced diesel engine are now standard equipment. Greater use of commercial off-the-shelf componentry assures economical world-wide supportability.

ALSV Mission Roles:
° Fast Attack /Deep Strike
° Special Operations
° Surveillance & Target Acquisition
° Reconnaissance & Scouting
° Command & Control
° Peacekeeping Missions