Jul 27 2010

Cambodian Campaign

The Cambodian Campaign was a set of US military operations carried out against North Vietnamese forces and Viet Cong guerrillas in eastern Cambodia from April 29 to July 22, 1970, during the Vietnam War. Reinforced with South Vietnamese units, the US Army deployed more 109,000 men, who were backed by bombers and carrier-based attack aircraft, such as C-130 Specters, B-52, and A-6 Intruders.

Announced by President Richar Nixon on April 30, 1970, the main rationale of the Cambodian Campaign was to annihilate the National Liberation Front (Viet Cong) sanctuaries in eastern Cambodia from which they conducted raids against South Vietnamese Army and US Army bases in South Vietnam. This military action against the communist forces in the jungle of Cambodia would have a shield-like deterrent effect which would allow the US government to implement the planned policy of Vietnamization and the withdrawal of US forces from South Vietnam.

In 1970, the new government of Cambodia of General Lon Nol changed his country’s policy and authorized US military operations in the eastern strip of Cambodia. The result of the Cambodia Campaign was the capture of large amounts of communist supplies and material and the ignition of the Cambodian Civil War. The main operations of this campaign were: Toan Thang 42, Toan Thang 43 (Rockcrusher), Binh Tay I (Tame the West), Toan Tang 44 (Bold Lancer), Freedom Deal, etc.

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Jul 26 2010

Battle of Saigon (1968)

The Battle of Saigon was a battle fought between attacking Viet Cong battalions and the combined defending forces of US troops and South Vietnamese Army’s elements. Being part of the Tet Offensive, it took place in the city of Saigon, from January 31 to March 7, 1968, during the Vietnam War. The Battle of Saigon was ignited by communist forces, which mounted a coordinated attack againgt the capital of South Vietnam on the first day of the anniversary of the Lunar New Year in Vietnam -a holiday known as Tet to the Vietnamese. Among the Viet Cong guerrilla forces were North Vietnamese Army’s elements.

Although the communist forces attacked the whole of South Vietnam from all sides, launching assaults on different targets, Saigon was the main focal point of this offensive. There were six main targets in the city which 35 Viet Cong’s battalions had to attack and capture: the headquarters of the South Vietnamese Army, President Thieu’s office, the US Embassy, the Tan Son Nhut air base, the Long Binh Naval Headquarters, and the National Radio Station.

Summary of the Battle of Saigon

The Battle of Saigon began in the early morning hours of January 31, 1968, when the Viet Cong and NVA launched a massive and coordinated attack against Saigon. North Vietnamese sappers and VC local forces attacked the Presidential Palace, the National Radio Station, the US Embassy, and other principal targets.

The 5th Viet Cong Division launched an attack on the military bases at Long Binh, and Bien Hoa. While the North Vietnamese 7th Division launched an attack on the US 1st Infantry Division and the 5th South Vietnamese Division at Lai Khe, The VC 9th Division launched another attack on the US 25th Infantry Division at Cu Chi.

Despite the seemingly overwhelming and unsurmountable assault on Saigon, by mid February most of the attacking communist forces were beaten back by US and South Vietnamese troops. Sporadic fighting continued in Saigon until March 7 as some sections of the city were left badly damaged by the feroucious combats that raged on for more than month.

Attack on the US Embassy during the Battle of Saigon (Video)

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Jul 25 2010

F-89 Scorpion

The F-89 Scorpion was a US Air Force, all-weather, interceptor aircraft which was designed and manufactured by Northrop Corporation. Test pilot Fred C. Bretcher flew the XP-89 prototype for the first time on August 16, 1948. This straight-wing, jet interceptor was among the first USAF jet aircraft armed with guided missiles and nuclear weapons, such as the unguided Genie rocket for air-to-air use.

Production was authorized in January 1949, but only eighteen F-89A aircraft were completed, which were mainly used for tests and trials, before the type was upgraded to F-89B standard, with new avionics. This variant entered service with the 84th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron in June 1951. A new version was introduced in 1956, the F-89H, which was equipped with massive new wingtip pods, each holding three semi-active radar homing GAR-1s and three infrared GAR-2s and 21 FFARs, for a total of six missiles and 42 rockets. Nevertheless, the major production version was the F-89D, which first flew October 23, 1951, entering service in 1954. The cannon was removed in favor of a new Hughes E-6 fire control system with AN/APG-40 radar and an AN/APA-84 computer.

Specifications for the F-89 Scorpion

Engine: two Allison J35-A-35 afterburning turbojets.
Maximum speed: 635 mph (1,022 km/h) at 10,600 ft (3,200 m).
Ferry range: 1,366 mi (2,200 km).
Service ceiling: 49,200 ft (15,000 m).
Length: 53 ft 9½ in (16.40 m).
Wingspan: 59 ft 8½ in (18.20 m).
Crew: two
Avionics: AN/APG-40 radar, an AN/APA-84 computer, and Hughes E-6 fire control system.
Weapons: one hundred and four 2.75 in (70 mm) "Mighty Mouse" folding-fin aerial rockets; 3,200 lb (1,500 kg) of bombs.

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Jul 24 2010

F-9 Cougar

The F-9 Cougar was a carrier-based, jet fighter aircraft used by the US Navy. It was developed by Grumman based on the F9F fighter. It first flew on September 20, 1951, and entered into service in june 1952. The swept-wing F-9 Cougar was also used as reconnaissance aircraft fitted out with cameras instead of the nose cannon.

The only version of the Cougar to see combat was the TF-9J trainer. Four Cougars of H&MS-13 were used in the airborne command role, directing airstrikes against enemy positions in South Vietnam during 1966 and 1967. The TF-9J had a long service with US Navy, but the Cougar evolution (with J52 engine) was defeated when US Navy selected TA-4F instead. The only foreign armed force to use the F-9 Cougar was the Argentine Navy, who used the F9F Panther as well. Two F-9-8Ts trainers were acquired in 1962, and served until 1971.

Specifications for the Grumman F-9J Cougar

Engine: one Pratt & Whitney J48-P-8A turbojet.
Maximum speed: 647 mph (1,041 km/h).
Range: 1,312 mi (2,111 km).
Service ceiling: 42,000 ft (12,800 m).
Rate of climb: 5,750 ft/min (29.2 m/s).
Length: 42 ft 2 in (12.9 m).
Wingspan: 34 ft 6 in (10.5 m).
Crew: one
Weapons: four 20 mm (0.79 in) M2 cannons; six 5 in (127 mm) rockets; four AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles; could carry up to two 1,000 lb (454 kg) bombs.

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Jul 23 2010

Sea Harrier

The Sea Harrier was a naval jet fighter and attack aircraft which was successfully used by the Royal Navy in the Falklands War, the two Gulf Wars, and in the Balkans. The Sea Harrier was a carrier-based VTOL/STOVL subsonic fighter aircraft which was developed from the Hawker Siddeley Harrier by the aviation firm British Aerospace, entering service with the Royal Navy in April 1980 as the Sea Harrier FRS1.

Other than Britain, India became the only Sea Harrier operator in 1983. In 1993, a second, updated version was built for the Royal Navy, designated the Sea Harrier FA2, improving its air to air capabilities and weapons compatibilities, along with a more powerful engine. This variant was manufactured until 1998. The Sea Harrier was withdrawn early from Royal Navy service in March 2006 and temporarily replaced by the Harrier GR9. The intended replacement is Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II. The Sea Harrier is still in active use in the Indian Navy, though in the long term it will be replaced by the Mikoyan MiG.

Avionics

The Sea Harrier FA2 featured the Blue Vixen radar, which was described as one of the most advanced pulse doppler radar systems in the world. The Blue Fox radar was seen by some critics as having comparitively low performance for what was available at the time of procurement. The Blue Vixen formed the basis for development of the Eurofighter Typhoon’s CAPTOR radar. The Sea Harrier FA2 also carried the AIM-120 AMRAAM missile, the first UK aircraft to be provided with this capability.

Specifications for the Sea Harris FA2

Engine: one Rolls-Royce Pegasus turbofan.
Maximum speed: 735 mph (1182 km/h).
Combat radius: 620 miles (1,000 km).
Ferry range: 2,000 miles (3,600 km).
Service ceiling: 51,000 ft (16,000 m).
Length: 46 ft 6 in (14.2 m).
Wingspan: 25 ft 3 in (7.6 m).
Crew: one
Weapons: two 30 mm (1.18 in) ADEN cannon pods under the fuselage; four Matra rocket pods holding eighting SNEB 68mm rockets each; two AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles; two Sea Eagle anti-ship missiles; up to 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) of a variety of unguided iron bombs.

Sea Harrier Taking Off (Video)

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