As you know, in 1977, the Pentagon launched another program for the development of advanced anti-aircraft systems. In just a few years, a number of companies presented their new projects, one of which received military approval and was recommended for further development. It resulted in the appearance of a significant number of M247 Sergeant York self-propelled anti-aircraft guns. A little later, an initiative project was launched with the working designation LADS. His goal was to create a towed and light self-propelled anti-aircraft system, maximally unified with the M247 machine.
All work on a number of projects was carried out within the framework of the large program DIVAD (Divisional Air Defense System - "Divisional Air Defense System"). In accordance with the original terms of reference, the new ZSU were to be built on the chassis of the M48 tank, while the composition of the weapons and instrumentation was allowed to be determined by the developers. As the military later decided, the most successful project was proposed by Ford Aerospace. Its self-propelled gun, which had a pair of 40-mm automatic guns and radar detection equipment, later received the army designation M247 and the name "Sergeant York".
Experienced anti-aircraft gun LADS
The projects of the DIVAD program looked promising, but soon after the start of work, it became clear that promising ZSUs would not be able to cover all the needs of ground formations in the barreled air defense. Ford Aerospace soon proposed to solve this problem with a separate project. To obtain the known advantages, it was planned to use the existing solutions and units as widely as possible. At the same time, the new project in the early stages was developed on an initiative basis and without any assistance from the Pentagon.
In 1980, Ford Aerospace specialists began to cooperate with colleagues from the group of promising developments of the 9th Infantry Division of the US Army. Together, they determined the optimal appearance of a new anti-aircraft gun, capable of complementing the promising M247, but differing from it in less complexity and reduced cost. The new project received a fairly simple working name - LADS (Light Air Defense System - "Light Air Defense System").
The LADS project provided for the creation of a lightweight and simplified towed single-barreled anti-aircraft system. Maximum unification with "Sergeant York" was proposed, obtained by borrowing ready-made components and assemblies. Such an anti-aircraft installation was supposed to carry out air defense in the near zone and fight low-flying targets. It could be used to enhance the protection of stationary objects or cover other anti-aircraft systems. Small dimensions and weight made it possible to introduce LADS into the armament of light infantry or airborne units.
Having formed the main provisions of the project, the development organizations proposed it to a potential customer. The Army and Air Force Command showed interest in the proposed system and agreed to provide the necessary support. Over the next few years, the industry had to complete the design and submit prototypes. Successful testing made it possible to count on the launch of mass production and the adoption of LADS into service.
The task of reducing the dimensions of the promising installation was solved with the help of original layout solutions. Among other things, this led to the formation of an unusual and futuristic appearance of the complex. At the same time, recognizable existing units were viewed as part of the original exterior.
The mobility of the LADS installation was to be provided by a towed carriage with a wheel drive. It was proposed to use a platform equipped with two pairs of wheels and four sliding beds. When deploying, the hydraulics had to spread the latter to the sides, and thereby ensure the stable position of the entire complex. The project provided for the possibility of circular guidance of weapons in a horizontal plane. The system in the transport position could be towed by any tractor with sufficient characteristics.
It is known that at a certain stage, engineers of Ford Aerospace and specialists of the 9th division worked out the possibility of building a self-propelled version of the LADS complex. In this case, the combat module was supposed to be located on a promising army vehicle HMMWV. However, calculations quickly showed that such a chassis is unlikely to cope with high loads. The Humvee was rejected as a weapon carrier. However, this platform soon found a new application in the project.
Self-propelled gun M247 Sergeant York
On the central platform of the carriage, it was proposed to mount a movable base of the combat module with weapons, observation equipment and an operator's cabin. Directly on the base there was a pair of low lateral supports required for mounting the swinging part. Also provided for a remote rear beam with a rectangular casing intended for the installation of power units.
The swinging unit of the LADS complex is of great interest. The authors of the project proposed to use original layout solutions, which led to a characteristic appearance. The front part of the unit was formed by a pair of truncated cones of different sizes; the barrel of the gun was drawn through the top of the front. Behind the wide rear cone, a cylindrical surface was provided with two large side recesses necessary for installation on supports. Behind such a "cylinder" on the rear wall of the combat module there was a rectangular box-shaped casing, above which the operator's cockpit glazing was placed.
To speed up the design and simplify further production, it was decided to use the existing weapon. The LADS complex received one 40-mm Bofors L70 automatic gun in the version previously created for the M247 SPAAG. This gun could fire up to 330 rounds per minute and confidently hit targets at ranges up to 4 km.
The gun was equipped with an ammunition supply system based on the ideas of the Sergeant York project. At the same time, the ammunition load in the form of 200 shells was placed in a large store, literally put on the receiver and the breech of the gun. It was this detail that led to the use of tapered body elements and the appearance of a characteristic appearance. Automated reloading systems were developed that accelerated preparation for combat work and did not require human intervention. The shells were loaded through hatches in the sides of the conical casing.
In the rear of the hull, a low mast was to be mounted, equipped with a block of electronic equipment. It was proposed to equip the LADS system with a radar guidance station, identification means, a laser rangefinder, a thermal imaging sight and an acoustic detection system. Almost all of these components were borrowed from the M247 project. The processing of information from the detection means and the generation of commands for the actuators was to be carried out using the existing automation, also taken from the existing sample. Guidance was carried out using hydraulic and electric drives.
There was only one person to manage the operation of the complex. His workplace was inside the main building, behind the artillery system. The cockpit was connected to the swinging artillery unit, which gave some advantages and disadvantages. The operator could use standard electronic, optical or acoustic surveillance equipment, and in addition, he was able to monitor the situation with the help of the upper glazing-lantern. The operator's cabin was sealed and protected against weapons of mass destruction.
LADS system in combat position
Shortly before the start of the LADS project, Ford Aerospace began developing a mobile command post PCC (Platoon Coordination Center). Such a center was based on the HMMWV chassis and received a complete set of detection equipment taken from the M247 project. In addition, it had to carry communication and control equipment. The task of the command post was to monitor the air situation with the issuance of target designation to various air defense systems, from portable anti-aircraft systems to self-propelled guns of the "Sergeant York" type.
After the start of LADS development, a new proposal emerged in the context of the PCC project. It was proposed to supplement this machine with means of remote control of the towed anti-aircraft systems battery. Thus, the command post could not only issue target designation, but also directly control the operation of individual air defense elements. Such an approach would significantly simplify combat work by reducing human participation. Another benefit was the reduced response time, now limited only by the capabilities of the electronics and communication systems.
As it developed, the promising LADS project received only positive assessments. The system proposed on its own initiative made it possible to supplement other complexes and close some of the remaining niches in the air defense structure. In addition, the new system, having maximum unification with the already created M247 Sergeant York, was distinguished by the lowest possible cost. Naturally, there were also certain disadvantages inherent in barrel anti-aircraft systems, but in light of the existing advantages, they did not look fatal.
In general, the created anti-aircraft gun was not inferior to modern and promising models of its class, which were available or created in other countries. At the same time, in a number of parameters and in terms of some design features, LADS was superior to its competitors. Thus, the military had every reason for optimistic assessments and could make big plans for the future.
With the full support of the military, Ford Aerospace completed the project over several years and prepared all the necessary documentation. Also, no later than the beginning of 1983, the construction of the first prototype of the LADS complex on a towed wheeled carriage began. In the near future, it was planned to send him to the test site.
However, the tests never began. At this time, clouds began to gather over the DIVAD program and the M247 project. The problems of these projects could hit related developments. Recall that the winner of the DIVAD program in the person of the ZSU from Ford Aerospace was chosen back in 1981, and this decision was immediately criticized. Nevertheless, the following year, a contract appeared for the supply of the first batch of 50 self-propelled guns, and plans were also formed for further mass production.
Despite the victory in the competition and the appearance of a contract for mass production, the existing M247 machine did not fully meet the requirements. She showed insufficient reliability, and also did not fit into the original cost plans. Already in 1983, the further fate of the "Sergeant York" project became the subject of controversy. The future of related projects was also in doubt.
PCC Command Machine
The lack of a final decision on the ZSU M247 led to a temporary suspension of work under the LADS project. The scandal surrounding the DIVAD program did not allow the necessary funding to be allocated for testing the built prototype, and for the next several years the future of the towed installation remained hazy.
At the end of the summer of 1985, an order appeared to close the M247 project due to the presence of problems and the lack of sense in fixing them. Also, for all its imperfections, the technique turned out to be quite expensive, and its improvement would lead to new costs. The Pentagon leadership found this unacceptable, and decided to abandon the unsuccessful self-propelled guns.
It soon became clear that the abandonment of the Sergeant York ZSU would not allow further work on the LADS topic. The towed unit was of interest only in conjunction with the self-propelled M247. In addition, the economic indicators of production and operation being made could only be obtained with the simultaneous release of two complexes. Self-production of LADS proved to be too expensive.
After conducting a new analysis of the needs and capabilities of air defense, the command came to new negative conclusions for LADS. The military leaders considered that the M1097 Avenger anti-aircraft systems equipped with guided missiles would become a more convenient and profitable means of near-zone air defense. The towed receiver system did not look the best against their background.
By the end of 1985, the Pentagon, having studied the needs and capabilities, decided to withdraw further support for the LADS project. As a result of recent trials, as well as in connection with the observed progress, the "Light air defense system" has lost most of its advantages, and therefore was not of interest to the army. By the time the order to stop the work appeared, only one prototype had been built. His further fate is unknown. Most likely, the installation was dismantled as unnecessary.
From the very beginning, the LADS towed anti-aircraft system was created as an addition to the M247 self-propelled system, and this feature of the project ultimately turned out to be fatal. The abandonment of the "Sergeant York" instantly deprived the LADS system of a number of advantages and made it useless. Moreover, some features of the DIVAD program make it possible to assert that the LADS project initially had not the highest chances of successful completion. One way or another, work on this project was curtailed. The US Army was never able to get a new towed anti-aircraft artillery system.
