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M730
M730A2

Guided Missile Equipment Carrier M730^1-8

The M730 carrier vehicle was part of the M48 Chaparral guided missile system, intercept-aerial, and was based on the M548 cargo carrier variant of the M113A1 APC. The launching station M54 was placed in the cargo compartment, and a cover which was held up by six bows could be erected over it for travel. When not in use, the bows were stowed on the bow of the vehicle. A blast shield protected the engine, and blast shields were also able to be emplaced over the crew cab for launching. During travel, all five crew could sit in the vehicle cab. Upon deployment the squad leader and driver would each form a team with an observer, positioning themselves away from the vehicle by the minimum safe distance of 60m (200'), and usually to the rear along a primary fire line. The driver would take a remote control for the vehicle radios, and the squad leader would take a field telephone.

First fielded in 1982, the M730A1 included the improved engine cooling and suspension modifications of the M548A1, which were similar to those implemented in M113A2.

The MIM-72 Chaparral missile was based on the infrared homing Sidewinder 1C aerial missile. The gunner was provided with an optical sight, and the missile homed to the target autonomously once launched. The range of the MIM-72 was around 11 miles (18km). The MIM-72B was the flyable training version of MIM-72A. These had a MK28 guidance section with four fins, safety and arming (S-A) device MK13, MK48 continuous rod warhead, MK50 solid propellant rocket motor, two fixed MK4 wings with rollerons, and two fixed MK5 wings without rollerons; the MIM-72A used a MK15 target detecting device (TDD), while the MIM-72B used a MK24 TDD. MIM-72C used the AN/DAW-1B guidance section, M817 directional Doppler TDD, M250 blast/fragmentation warhead, M145 S-A device, and slightly different fins that were not interchangeable with those on the MIM-72A, B, or D. MIM-72D was built for foreign sales, and used the MK28 guidance section, M817 TDD, either the Mk13 or M145 S-A device, M250 warhead, and MK50 rocket motor. MIM-72E was an MIM-72C with the rocket motor replaced by the smokeless M121 solid propellant motor that reduced the missile's signature trail. MIM-72F was again designed for foreign sales, using the AN/DAW-1 guidance section, M817 TDD, M145 S-A device, M250 warhead, and MK50 motor.

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Guided Missile Equipment Carrier M730A2^1-2,9

The M730A2 included the M548A3's and M113A3's RISE improvements, and also added an NBC protection system. The M730A2 was the first of the M113 family of vehicles to be given the RISE upgrade, and was made necessary by the increased weight of the launching station M54A2. The 20,000lb (9,000kg) winch that had been on the bow of previous M730s was deleted with M730A2. A FLIR sight pod was also introduced on the left side of the missile mount to enhance night operations. These improvements were dubbed I-Chap, for Improved Chaparral.

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References

1. Hunnicutt, R.P. Bradley: A History of American Fighting and Support Vehicles. Navato, CA: Presidio Press, 1999. Reprinted with permission from Bradley, R.P. Hunnicutt ©1999, available from Presidio Press, 505B San Martin Drive, Suite 160, Navato, CA 94945.
2. Crismon, Fred W. U.S. Military Tracked Vehicles. Osceola, WI: Motorbooks International, 1992.
3. TM 9-1425-1585-10-1 System Description of Improved Chaparral Air Defense Guided Missile System. Washington, DC: Department of the Army, 1 September 1981.
4. TM 9-1450-585-34P Direct and General Support Maintenance Repair Parts and Special Tools Lists Carrier, Guided Missile Equipment, Self-Propelled M730: (1450-00-930-8749) Carrier, Guided Missile Equipment, Self-Propelled M730A1: (1450-01-121-2122). Washington, DC: Department of the Army, 1 January 1983.
5. TM 9-1410-585-24P Organizational, Direct Support and General Support Maintenance Repair Parts and Special Tools List Including Depot Maintenance Repair Parts and Special Tools for Guided Missile System, Intercept-Aerial MIM-72A 1410-00-930-8358 Guided Missile System, Intercept-Aerial MIM-72B (Training) 1410-00-421-1632 Guided Missile System, Intercept-Aerial MIM-72D 1410-01-028-8603 Guided Missile, Training M-30 6920-00-880-2466 Chaparral Air Defense Guided Missile System. Washington, DC: Department of the Army, 30 November 1981.
6. SB 742-1410-92-001 Ammunition Surveillance Procedure for: Guided Missile Intercept-Aerial MIM-72A, MIM-72B, MIM-72C, MIM-72D, MIM-72E, and MIM-72F, and Guided Missile, Intercept-Aerial Trainer, M30 and M33 Chaparral Air Defense Guided Missile System. Washington, DC: Headquarters, Department of the Army, 12 September 1984.
7. TM 43-0001-31 Equipment Data Sheets for TARCOM Equipment. Washington, DC: Headquarters, Department of the Army, 10 July 1978.
8. TM 55-2350-224-14 Transport Guidance M113 Family of Vehicles (M113A2, M113A3, M106A2, M125A2, M548A1, M577A2, M667, M730A2, M741A1, M901A1, M981, M1015A1, M1059, M1064, AND M1068). Washington, DC: Department of the Army, 1 February 1993.
9. Federation of American Scientists. "M730A2 Guided Missile Equipment Carrier (Chaparral)." DOD 101. 5 Jan 1999. 9 Nov 2001 <http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m730.htm>. DOD 101

Last updated 12 Mar 2024.
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