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Persian Gulf War. George Bush & Saddam Hussein. Persian Gulf War. Why??? Iraq’s claim to land in Kuwait Claimed Kuwait was stealing oil Hussein thought no one would stop him. The Conflict.
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Persian Gulf War • Why??? • Iraq’s claim to land in Kuwait • Claimed Kuwait was stealing oil • Hussein thought no one would stop him
The Conflict • On August 2, 1990 the country of Iraq invaded and occupied the tiny country of Kuwait over a “supposed” dispute over oil.
United States Responds • President George H.W. Bush declared that the invasion “would not stand.” • Had full UN support!!!
Air War Assessment • Began January 17, 1991 and lasted about 6 weeks until the ground attack began. • Air power was then used to assist the ground assault. • Air power gave the US an extreme advantage Tomahawk destroying Iraqi position
The Ground War • On Feb 24, 1991 Marine divisions launched the ground offensive. • Gen. Schwarzkopf hatched his “Hail Mary” attack plan. • The ground assault by the Allies precipitated a general rout on the part of Iraqi forces positioned in Kuwait.
United States Responds • Operation Desert Shield: American troops sent to protect Saudi Arabia • Operation Desert Storm: US bombs Iraqi military & select targets to LIBERATE KUWAIT!!!
Ground War Assessment • Operation Desert Storm(ground) lasted only 100 hours. • The Iraqi forces were totally destroyed by the American led Coalition forces. • 100,000 Iraqis killed; 148 Americans
Outcome • American forces led by Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf would eventually annihilate the Iraqi forces with the world’s most advanced weapons.
Results • Iraq accepts border with Kuwait, surrenders all WMDs, destroys all WMD production capability • Oil for Food Program – Iraq can sell oil in exchange for food • Saddam represses Kurds & Shiites after the war – No Fly Zones
Air Support • American air superiority gave the coalition forces a huge advantage in this conflict. • American aircraft completed decimated Saddam Huessien’s forces. • Air superiority included: bombers, attack helicopters, fighter jets and other highly advanced weapons.
F-117a stealth • Designed to be virtually invisible to radar. • Nicknamed the “Wobblin Goblin” because of bumpy ride and outlandish appearance • Primary weapon (2,000 pound laser - guided bombs) • Targets in Gulf War included Iraqi command and control installations and also chemical and nuclear production and storage facilities.
B-52 Stratofortress • US Airforce’s long range, large payload multi-role bomber. • Nicknamed BUFF - Big Ugly Fat Fellow • Can carry more than 70,000 lbs of bombs - nuclear, laser guided and conventional. • In Operation Desert Storm, B-52s were used to conduct round-the-clock carpet bombing attacks against Iraqi troop concentrations and defenses. In addition to high-explosive bombs, the B-52s saturated Iraqi positions with anti-personnel and anti-armor bombs.
Tomahawk cruise missile • Desert Storm was the first combat test of the cruise missile system. Highly successful. • In the war, Tomahawks were used to destroy surface-to-air missile sites, command and control centers, electrical power facilities and were credited with the destruction of Iraq's presidential palace. • Carry 1000 lbs computer or laser guided missiles - 550 miles per hour - up to 1500 miles
AH - 64 apache • Specifically designed for its attack role. It is heavily armored and is hard to kill. • Uses “Hellfire” anti-tank missiles that have range of 3.7 miles. Top speed 184 miles an hour. • 30 mm laser directed gun also used - attached to pilot’s helmet; targeting information seen • Primary use in Gulf was to destroy tanks and armored vehicles - highly effective weapon.
S-70A Blackhawk • Primary mission of the Blackhawk is as a troop carrier and logistical support aircraft • Can carry 11 fully equipped troops. • Equipped with the Hellfire anti-tank missile and 50 caliber machine guns • Designed for low delectability.
AH-1W SuperCobra • US Marines attack helicopter. • Can carry both the TOW and Hellfire anti-tank missiles. • Also able to use the Sidewinder air-to-air missile. • Equipped also with a variety of rockets and 20 mm Gatling guns.
A-10 Thunderbolt • Also known as the Warthog, Flying Gun, or the Tankbuster. • The A-10 was responsible for more than half of the Iraqi military inventory losses, including tanks, Scuds and helicopters. • Can carry up to ten Maverick air-to-surface missiles. • Avenger 30mm cannon, mounted in the nose of the aircraft. Can fire 4200 rounds a minute.
F-14 Tomcat • The F-14 Tomcat is the US Navy's carrier-based two-seat air defense, intercept, strike and reconnaissance aircraft • The F-14 is armed with a General Electric Vulcan M61A-1 20mm gun with 675 rounds of ammunition. • The aircraft can carry short-, medium- and long-range air-to-air missiles and, and air-to-ground ordnance including the Rockeye bomb and CBUcluster bomb
F-15E Strike Eagle • The F-15E dual-role fighter is an advanced long-range interdiction fighter and tactical aircraft • It is armed with air-to-air missiles that can be launched from beyond visual range, and has air-to-ground capability to penetrate hostile air and ground defenses to deliver up to 24,000lb of precision ordnance. • The aircraft is armed with an internal M-61 20mm Gatling gun, installed in the right wing root.
F-16 Fighting Falcon • The first of the US Air Force multi-role fighter aircraft, is the world's most prolific fighter. • Air-to-surface missiles carried on the F-16 include Maverick, HARM and Shrike missiles • The F-16 carries the Lockheed Martin LANTIRN infra-red navigation and targeting system. • The F-16 has a 20mm General Electric M61A1 multi-barrel cannon and the gunsight is interfaced to the cockpit HUD.
Drones • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are either remotely or autonomous pilotless drones typically used for reconnaissance. UAVs • At least one UAV was airborne at all times during Desert Storm.
One of the most unusual surrenders took place when a Pioneer remotely-piloted vehicle droned above the battlefield, surveying potential targets. Five Iraqi soldiers waved white flags at its tiny television camera; it was the first time in history that men surrendered to a robot.
M1 - Abrams • Named for the late Gen. Creighton W. Abrams, former Army Chief of Staff • Principal U.S. heavy tank used in the Gulf War • M-1 mounts an M68E1 105 mm main gun and two 7.62mm NATO M240 machine guns. • Outranged Iraqi tanks by about 1,000 meters • Ability to fire reliably when moving at speed (45 mph) over rough
M109 Paladin A6 • Provides primary indirect fire support to heavy divisions and armored cavalry regiments. • The M109A6 is self propelled 155 mm howitzer. • It contains an on board ballistic computer and navigation system, an improved cannon and gun mount, automatic gun positioning, automotive improvements and driver night vision equipment.
High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle • Provides a variety of wheeled vehicle platforms • Cargo/troop carrier, armament carrier, TOW missile system carrier, shelter carrier and two ambulance variants (2- and 4-litter). • Designed for use over all types of roads, in all weather conditions • extremely effective in the most difficult terrain. • Perfect for use in desert operations
Bradley Fighting Vehicle • The BFVS is a lightly armored, fully tracked fighting vehicle that provides cross-country mobility, mounted firepower and protection from artillery and small-arms fire. • It is used in mechanized infantry and armored cavalry combat • M2 provides infantry squads with a light armored fighting vehicle; M3 provides scout and armored cavalry units with a vehicle for reconnaissance, screening, and security missions.
