T249 Vigilante

The T249 Vigilante was a prototype 37 mm self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (SPAAG) designed as a replacement for the Bofors 40 mm gun and M42 Duster in US Army service.[1] The system consisted of a 37 mm T250 six-barrel Gatling gun mounted on a lengthened M113 armored personnel carrier platform.

T250 Vigilante
TypeAutocannon
Place of origin United States
Production history
DesignerSpringfield Armory
Designed1956–1962
No. built6
Specifications
Length130 inches (330 cm)
Barrel length100 inches (254 cm)
Cartridge37×219mmSR T68
Barrels6
ActionHydraulically powered, rotary
Rate of fire3,000 rpm (anti-aircraft), 120 rpm (ground targets)
Muzzle velocity915 m/s
Feed system192 rd drum magazine

In the early 1960s, the Army decided that gun-based systems were outdated, and canceled further development in favor of the MIM-46 Mauler missile system that also failed to enter service. The designer, the Sperry Utah Engineering Laboratory, later revived the Vigilante, rechambering it for NATO-standard 35×228mm rounds and mounting it on a M48 Patton tank chassis for the Division Air Defense (DIVAD) contest. However, it ultimately lost to Ford's M247 Sergeant York that also failed to enter service.

Development

Very little information exists of the T249 Vigilante and its T250 cannon. The conceptual design for the T250 cannon was initiated in 1956. While the design of cannon of this caliber would ordinarily be handled by Watervliet Arsenal, it was decided that Springfield Armory would take responsibility due to their previous development experience with smaller caliber rotary cannon such the 20mm T171. The T250 was the largest Gatling gun ever assembled. Its 37×219mmSR round was based upon a shortened and necked-down 40×311mmR Bofors cartridge case. Hydraulically powered, the gun was able to vary between 120 rpm for (especially stationary) ground targets and 3,000 rpm for air targets.[1]

It had a 192-round drum magazine, which in the 3,000 rpm mode would have equated to approximately 5 seconds of fire. When Springfield engineers finished their work in 1962, the design was handed over to Watervliet for production. The Sperry Utah Engineering Laboratory was selected to handle the integration of the T250 gun with the modified M113 chassis to create the T249.

Surviving Examples

One T249 Vigilante is currently displayed at the US Army Artillery Museum, at Ft. Sill, OK. This example was previously located at the US Army Ordnance Museum in Aberdeen, MD.

See also

References
  1. Williams, Anthony G (13 May 2011). "The Red King, The Red Queen and the Vigilante".
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