Chart of Anti-Aircraft Artillery

In this chart anti-aircraft artillery (AAA), click on the photo link to go to the page of photos and information for the specific weapon. Additional photos on the Olive-Drab.com Artillery page in the Military Firepower section. See also:

• Towed Artillery
• Self-Propelled Artillery
• Gun Motor Carriages in Halftracks
• Nike Missile

Another place to look is in the Military Weapons and Weapons Systems section of the Olive-Drab Historical Military Photo and Poster Gallery.

Vehicle	Description	Photo Link
M-16	M-16 Halftrack Multiple Gun Carriage
M-19A1	M-19A1 Twin 40mm Gun Carriage (M-24 Tank chassis -- See also M-42 Duster) Photo: Courtesy of John Buckley. Thanks to Sam Berliner, III for correct ID.
M-42	M-42 Duster. Distinguish from M-19 with turret at the rear, M-42 turret is at front.
M-163	M-163 Vulcan Air Defense System (VADS)
40-mm AA gun	Bofors Anti-Aircraft Artillery World War II
37-mm AA gun	Anti-Aircraft Artillery Early World War II
3-inch AA gun	Anti-Aircraft Artillery Early World War II
Skysweeper 75-mm AAA gun	Anti-Aircraft Artillery Post-World War II
M1 M1A1 M2 90-mm AAA gun	Anti-Aircraft Artillery World War II
M1 120mm	M1 120mm Gun Anti-Aircraft Artillery World War II

Recommended Books about AAA Artillery

• Anti-Aircraft Artillery
• An Antiaircraft Artilleryman from 1939 to 1970

AAA Artillery

The introduction of aircraft to warfare in the early 20th Century required a defense, initially machine guns. As aircraft gained in range, power, and maneuverability defensive anti-aircraft artillery was developed that could shoot a powerful shell fast enough and high enough to intercept and down the target planes. During World War II, fire director electronics, radar, and the variable time (VT) fuse kept the AAA defenders equal to the threat. But the development of jet aircraft in the decades following WW II made cannon and machine guns obsolete for AAA defense. Modern anti-aircraft missiles were introduced to counter tactical aircraft and strategic bombers while the goal of anti-missile defense has been pursued to counter strategic missile threats.

US artillery crew overlooking the beach in Algeria with a 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft gun, 1943.

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