A few weeks a former Sheridan driver kindly accepted an invitation for an interview. K. served in the 73rd Armour Regiment as a M551 Sheridan driver and deployed to Saudi Arabia prior to participating in the Gulf War.
1) 1. Hello K., thanks for accepting an interview for alejandro-8en.blogspot.com. Could you provide a brief overview of your experience with the M551 Sheridan tank in the US Army?
I joined the Army in November of 1988. Since I optioned for Airborne, directly after completing 15 weeks of Cav Scout training, I went directly to Ft. Benning for 4 weeks of Airborne training. I arrived at Ft. Bragg in April of 1989 and was assigned to Aco. 2nd Platoon, 3/73rd Armour. I service with the M551A1 from 1989 to 1992. I started as a driver and drove for two different crews before going to the Gulf with my third crew. I continued to work in the driver position throughout Desert Shield and Desert Storm. When we returned from the Gulf War, I served with my last crew as a loader.
Our role with the 82nd Airborne Division was Heavy Recon and Armor support for each task force. We would conduct Route, Area and Zone Reconnaissance both mounted and dismounted. We would also conduct traditional armored tank tactics in support of the task force.
2. What do you think were the strong and weak points of the Sheridan tank?
#2 Strong points.
Our small size enabled us to be highly maneuverable, especially in a wooded environment. We could slot between trees that would leave a larger track vehicle trapped. We could fire and move in a tight wooded environment at will. Our gun barrel did not overhang the front deck so we could hide in ambush, fire at a target then pivot and move out of the area quickly.
The Sheridan's weight was 17 tons so we were fast on tarmac and in a field environment.
During Desert Operations, the Sheridan had the lowest ground pressure level of any vehicle in theater, wheeled or tracked, allied or enemy. The MTLB was the next best. We would simply float over soft wet sand that would trap any other vehicles.
If needed, we could also erect the water barrier and ford a body of water, just float along to the other side and continue operations. It did take some prep time for amphibious operations, but definitely a unique capability if needed.
We were air mobile. One Sheridan would fit inside of a C130 transport aircraft. It was an Extremely Tight fit. Imagine having to drive into a C130 with only inches of clearance on each side. We would totally wreck the plane if we got it wrong. The Sheridan could be strapped to a pallet and extracted from a C130 onto a landing strip via a drag parachute or air dropped from altitude using 8 G11 parachutes. This procedure was used during operations in Panama which resulted in two failures.
#2 strong points continued
We had a variety of ammunition to use. HEAT ( high-explosive anti-tank ), flechette (Bee Hive) and the missile. While HEAT ammunition might not be as effective as modern kinetic energy ammunition, it will still render a kill on many types of armor or light skinned vehicles. The Bee Hive ammunition would decimate soft targets. The missile had a long standoff range, but we had to stay stationary and keep the motor above 1,500 revs during its whole flight to target or suffer loss of control.
The Reliability of my track in theater was outstanding. I Never suffered a breakdown or system Failure during operations in Desert Shield or Desert Storm.
#2 weak points
Being essentially a light tank that is only 17 tons, the Sheridan can survive up to 12.7 mm fire without issue. Surviving cannon fire of 20mm or greater is worrisome. Our hull is aluminum with foam core behind the outside deck skin where the water barrier is stored. From the first to third roadwheel is all ammunition in the hull. The driver has missiles on the right, HEAT rounds on the left and two Bee Hive rounds under the driver seat. The Sheridan was not designed for head to head, tank on tank battle with medium or MBT'S. Ambush or shoot and move tactics are best. Same as US tank Destroyer units during WW2.
The crew must be mindful of moisture getting into electrical connectors, Dielectric grease is a must to combat corrosion.
The heavy recoil from the main gun can disable the missile control on occasion, but my crew never experienced this during tank gunnery.
Throttle body issues can spring up at times. This will reduce power, but not disable the motor. I experienced this during training at Ft. Bragg, but not in the Gulf theater of operations.
A small size also leads to extremely cramped working conditions for larger crew members.
3. The Sheridan was unique in the sense that it combined HEAT rounds with AT missiles. What was the typical ammunition configuration (% of HEAT and AT missiles?
This photo shows a combat load. This photo was taken at Champion Main in Saudi Arabia during Desert Shield. We were also issued New M551A1 tracks with thermal sights before moving to forward positions on the border of Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
4. When training or in combat, What was the typical distance to the objective? And the longest distance at which you ever fired a missile or round?
Maximum effective range for a HEAT round is 1,200 meters. Missile engagement can go out to 2,000 meters.
A M551A1 fired a missile at a connex target during gunnery training in Saudi Arabia. The official range to target was 3,000 meters. The connex was completely destroyed. In the right conditions, the missile was a very deadly standoff weapon.
5. Was the Sheridan capable of firing in the move? At what speeds if thsi is the case?
During gunnery training, we qualify with at least two on the move engagements. This is difficult for the driver to travel at a slow speed. The tracks create a vibration frequency that causes the gunners target sight to bounce severely. It is up to the driver to regulate his speed in order for the gunner to engage the target. We drive about 2 to 5mph estimated. It's all about the smoothest speed.
6. What about firing in the night? How was it performed (battlefield illumination) What was the maximum distance at which you could fire?
We have to engage several targets at night during gunnery training. The maximum effect range is reduced slightly and no lighting is used to illuminate the target. Before Desert Storm, we only had optical sights to perform this task. Thermal sights were a god send.
7. What was you impression of the thermal sight installed in the TTS version (if you ever used it)?
When all of the Sheridan crews were issued brand new M551A1 tracks, they were equipped with thermal gun sights. The cooling system for the sight was noisy, but the sight was so effective , we didn't mind unless you were trying to sleep. When given the choice between White Hot or Black Hot, I always prefer White Hot. I detect better contrast and target details using White Hot. Even though I am not a gunner, I still had to do my observation duty using the thermal optics.
8. In terms of maintenance, was there any component or system that was more delicate? Were there any issues with the supply chain?
At Ft. Bragg, the various Sheridan's had their own Gremlins. Electrical faults primary because of old or broken connectors, motor throttle body, injectors, hydraulic leaks, slow gun breach motors and gas particulate system issues. These M551A1 units were all in a state of heavy use. If something broke, we simply repaired the fault and kept on training.
During the Desert Shield phase of operations, all crews were issued brand new Sheridan's equipped with new thermal gun sights. We transferred our radios and combat load to the new units and continued with the mission.
My personal, new track, never suffered any mechanical faults period. In 120 degree Fahrenheit, the Sheridan would heat soak. I had to drive in open desert with my hatch closed, without any air circulation system. Inside temperature was well above the outside temperature during operations. As a driver, I performed maintenance checks on the motor pack every time we stopped for a break. The Detroit Diesel engine and transmission were utterly reliable throughout combat operations.
9. What was the maximum distance you covered in a day during deployments or exercises? Did the tank cope well or needed extra maintenance?
I never calculated distance, only hours traveled. I just drove until told to stop. During Desert Storm, we were loaded on HET transportation trucks and transported deep into Iraq on a 3 day transport mission. When the trucks off loaded us, it was 3pm on the third day. I performed a maintenance check on the pack and we set off into the unknown. We traveled Non Stop from 3:30pm that day until 3am, 12 hours straight without any breaks. After a 3 hour stop, we moved out at 6am toward our first Royal Guard Force objective. The Sheridan Never missed a beat during that 12 hour drive.
Our Mission was Search and Destroy, following behind the 24th ID Tank forces.
10. Being an airborne tank, could you describe a typical scenario that called for the deployment of the M551? What were the tactics used (Quick deployment in rear of the enemy for example)?
During traditional combat operations, the 82nd Airborne is used as a Shock Force. One of our missions is to attack an enemy air base and take over control for Allied use. Sheridan's performed this mission as part of an 82nd Airborne Task Force during Desert Storm. My Aco. 1st, 2nd and 3rd platoons were tasked to support other 82nd Task Force elements to take Tallil Air Base in Iraq. We removed over 250 Iraqi troops from the base and proceeded to systematically search and destroy any weapons and aircraft. We also performed recon for any hidden personnel. I was part of 2nd platoon.
11. Did you trained with personnel from other countries? Did you use any of their equipment? What were your impressions (training and equipment)?
The 82nd Airborne operated alongside of the French Foreign Legion and British expeditionary forces during Desert Storm. I personally met legionnaires and was impressed by their professional nature.
12. Were you able to get familiarised with Soviet tanks. What was your impression? Was there any Soviet system you liked or disliked?
I was born in 1968 so I grew up during the Cold War. As a child, I researched all Soviet military vehicles and weaponry. I could identify every T series tank, infantry fighting vehicle, tank destroyer and armored wheeled vehicle that Russia had to offer. These tanks had a reputation for being rugged and effective in the many battles that they were used in. During Desert Storm, I only saw them as destroyed relics, littering the battlefield. I'm sure that if our Sheridan had to engage one in battle, the first to strike and hit it's target would have been the victor. We could equally destroy each other, but they were no match for the M1A1 MBT and a modern sabot kinetic round.
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| This is a photo of my personal track, A22. She was named after the loaders sweetheart, Amy. I drove all over Saudi Arabia and Iraq in this M551A1 Sheridan. The men in in the photo along with me are my combat brothers from Aco. 2nd Platoon. 3/73 Armor, 82nd Airborne Division. |
13. M551 was retired in the mid 1990s. Do you think it was a good decision or that it could have stayed in service with more improvements?
The US light tank programs started with the M3 Stuart and ended with the M551A1 Sheridan. The Sheridan had a very long service life. It was both an honor to serve as a crew member and a childhood dream come true. The US light tanks traditional battlefield role has always been primarily armored reconnaissance. On the modern battlefield, LAV and Striker wheeled platforms have taken over this role along with IFV duties. There will probably never be another armored tracked fighting vehicle similar to the Sheridan's capabilities, it would simply cost too much to develop.
14. Is there an anecdote you would like to share before finishing the interview?
Be careful of what you wish for or dream about as a child.
As a child, I studied WW2 battles and vehicles, my favorite being the North African Campaign. Montgomery's forces going head to head with the Desert Fox and the exploits of the famed SAS Desert Rats. One day, I learned about the M551 Sheridan and it became my obsession. At the age of 20 in 1988, I joined the Army knowing that the 82nd Airborne Division actively used the Sheridan. I also wanted to be a reconnaissance soldier which is also the only way to become a Sheridan crew member. How many birds can I hit with one stone, I thought to myself. After 15 weeks of OSUT Cav Scout training and 4 weeks of Airborne School, I finally got to meet the Sheridan in person. I was in absolute heaven and set out to be the best driver possible. I had a natural feel with the Sheridan and excelled in my role. We trained to fight the Russian forces primarily in a wooded environment, never knowing about the change of plans coming around the corner.
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| M551 Sheridan opening fire. |
At 21 years old I found myself driving off of a C5 Galaxy into a desert environment. My group of Sheridan's were the second phase arriving in Saudi Arabia. We knew that the Iraqi tanks were on the border, poised to invade Saudi Arabia. We set up a battle plan and waited for a fight. My platoon ended up 330km from Baghdad as part of a Task Force to take Tallil airbase. We accomplished our mission and headed back to Champion Main in Saudi Arabia. At the age of 22, I got to experience the same fighting conditions as the troops from the North African Campaign, driving around the desert, buttoned up in a tracked vehicle.
Other interviews:
I am always looking for more
veterans, active members or people related with the defence industry to
accept interviews. If you enjoyed reading the material and would be
happy to accept an anonimous interview you can get in contact with me.
My e-mail can be found in this link at the heading. Otherwise leave a
message in the comment sections.
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