XM163 CS - Supporting Fire Up Close

Indeed it would! May have to consider doing that…

Definitely and it would actually aid in closing The Great USA SPAA Gap™. It was such an obvious one that’s been known about for quite a while. I’m surprised no one got to it.

1 Like
And more pictures

Hispano-Suiza_20mm_self-propelled_anti-aircraft_artillery_system
Hispano-Suiza_&_Vulan_20mm_towed_systems


Fiscal year 1974 authorization for military procurement… p.4858

1960s HS-820/665 Forward Area Air Defense System 8x10 Original News Photo | eBay
1960s HS-820/665 Forward Area Air Defense System 8x10 Original News Photo

Screenshot_20241009_101921_Chrome
Technical Abstract Bulletin, Volume 65, Part 1 p.216

I think it’s an essential vehicle for US TechTree. I hope someone will gather more information and suggest it.

7 Likes

Wow, I wasn’t aware how official this vehicle was in US Army Air Defense procurement, I assumed it was nothing more than a field mod.

It’s nice to see this vehicle finally gaining some recognition, it’s been floating around on US SPAA lists for a while now, but everybody sort of forgets about it for the M114A2, despite the M113 having a 200% increase in firepower and being far more suitable as an AA than yet another vehicle with a singular 20mm.

3 Likes

This would suit to be a nice 6.7-7.0 U.S. SPAAG gap filler without the radar of the regular M163.
The M163A2 PIVADS with the Mk.149 APDS belt and improved radar and FCS would also be really nice at 7.7-8.0 where the M163 used to be.

4 Likes

The reason the Kugelblitz got bumped up in BR was because of its anti tank capability

1 Like

A very poor excuse when you consider how awful HVAP is, especially post-nerf , and it doesn’t get a full belt.

1 Like

lol the fact that noobs are still complaining about the Kugel being too low is hilarious

1 Like

Would honestly prefer the M113 with triple 20mm over M163 without radar. Or:




GLAADS (Gun Low Altitude Air Defense System)


Excalibur/Vulcan Wheeled Carrier

2 Likes

They’d be at separate BRs so one would not exclude any of the others.

3 Likes

its nothing like the xm800t its also not like the zsu-57-2 which has an aphe round

1 Like

Just found out there are two different muzzle devices for the vehicle’s gun.
The one in game is accurately the “Air Defense Muzzle Clamp”. But there is another one - the “Ground Roles Muzzle Clamp”. The ground roles muzzle device has a tighter spread (5 mil), compared to the more oval one on the air defense muzzle device (6x18 mil).
I don’t know if this oval spread is modeled in the game. The ground role variant would be quite useful to be more effective in shooting out specific components, like the barrel of a tank. Also a small distinctness between the two M163 versions.

Image and source


Image source: M163 VADS

Data on mil dispersion values: Operator's Manual (crew) for Gun, Air Defense Artillery, Self-propelled, 20-MM, M163 (2350-00-999-4392) - Google Play Böcker
A bit of a bad scan but you can see the data on the left page and the mentioned roles.

4 Likes

I would like to see this plus the patches as a cool decal