| M163 Vulcan | M163A2 Vulcan | M163 PIVADS |
The M163 PIVADS is a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun for United States in the Wargame series. It was first introduced in Wargame: European Escalation.
History
M163 PIVADS (Product-Improved Vulcan Air Defence System) added a 5-km range radar, a lead computing sight with microprocessor and improved electric drive system.
In US service, M163s were used in a battery in 70's era Heavy Division Air Defense Artillery battalions to provide air defense to manuever units. In the Gulf War-era Air Defense Artillery Battalion, M163s served in two platoons with 9 units each in one of the three Air Defense Artillery batteries serving alongside a Chaparral platoon and a Stinger Platoon. The Armored Cavalry Regiment has a Vulcan/Stinger Battery.
Overview
A competent mid-range radar AA unit, the PIVADS can quickly saturate the skies with torrents of lead - and if needs be, the ground too. With good range and accuracy, it is an excellent reason for attack helicopters to be wary of intruding too deep into US-controlled territory. However, it is less ideal for position defence than it is for supporting an advancing armoured spearhead. Main battle tanks like the M1A2 Abrams can soak up ground fire while PIVADSes sweep the sky clear of choppers and punish attack aircraft that get too close. In a real pickle, the Vulcan cannon can mince enemy infantry and light vehicles from a comfortable distance.
That being said, the PIVADS struggles against the highest-end REDFOR attack helos, especially the Ka-50 Akula and Mi-28 Havoc, both of whose ATGMs outrange the PIVADS' guns. One must furthermore be wary of SEAD aircraft prowling for a tasty radar dish. As hinted in the History section, it is never a bad idea to pair a PIVADS with any variant of the M48 Chaparral for this exact reason. If operating alongside a multinational force, the M113 ADATS, Crotale and/or Cactus/SAHV also make great matchups.
Weapons
European Escalation
| Weapons | 
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Gatling Gun | No Weapon | No Weapon |
| Name | M168 Vulcan | ||
| Caliber | 20mm | ||
| Ammo | x 1200 rounds | ||
| Range | Ground = 1750 m Helicopters = N/A m  Airplanes = N/A m
|
||
| Accuracy | 8 | ||
| AP Power | 0 | ||
| HE Power | 1 | ||
| Rate of fire | 1220 r/min |
AirLand Battle
| Weapons | 
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Gatling Gun | No Weapon | No Weapon |
| Name | M168 Vulcan | ||
| Caliber | 20mm [AoE] [RAD] | ||
| Ammo | x 1200 | ||
| Range | Ground = 1050 m Helicopters = 2625 m Airplanes = 2450 m
|
||
| Accuracy | 9 | ||
| AP Power | 0 | ||
| HE Power | 1 | ||
| Suppression | 92 | ||
| Rate of fire | 1184 r/min |
Red Dragon
| Weapons | 
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Gatling Gun | No Weapon | No Weapon |
| Name | M168 Vulcan | ||
| Caliber | 20mm Radar | ||
| Ammo | x 1100 | ||
| Range | Ground = 1050 m Helicopters = 2625 m Airplanes = 2450 m
|
||
| Accuracy | 45% | ||
| AP Power | N/A | ||
| HE Power | 1 | ||
| Suppression | 92 | ||
| Rate of fire | 818 r/min |
