Description
Poki Games Online - War Truck Weapon Transport
The US Army Transportation Corps' (TAC) gun trucks have a long history. From the days of the Easter Rising in 1916, the British Army used an armoured truck. During World War II, the Soviet SU-12 anti-tank gun truck was also used. However, these vehicles had a limited load capacity. Until the late 1960s, the Transport Corps was unable to receive enough V-100 armored cars for its truck convoys. To remedy this situation, the TAC developed a standardised truck that could be converted into a gun truck.
Gun trucks were originally a modification of two-and-a-half-ton cargo trucks. These early designs had a truck-bed mounted compartment for two machine guns. A few models had sandbag protection. This protection was eventually replaced with steel armor plating. Early designs of gun trucks were also protected with quarter-inch steel plates on the cabin door.
The M1114s and M1114A2s had a heavy amount of armor. This caused overtaxation on the power train and suspension systems. In order to alleviate this problem, the Army produced up-armor kits that slowed down the speed of the trucks and added weight.
The gun truck evolved into a versatile and efficient means of transportation. While other heavy military vehicles are capable of carrying only a few missiles, a gun truck can carry many, if needed. The most common material used in the construction of gun-trucks is steel. Most trucks are constructed from scavenged steel plates, often from discarded transportation containers.
Gun trucks were designed to protect convoys from ambushes. For this purpose, the vehicle's driver, the "gunner," is usually a non-commissioned officer. As part of his duties, the gunner keeps track of the surroundings. If the driver detects any potential dangers, he can alert the other members of his convoy. Once the convoy reaches an ambush site, it must stop to fight. One gun truck is assigned for every 10 transport trucks.
During the Iraq War, the US Army's supply convoys were a frequent target. As a result, the Army began sending Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET) trucks ahead of the convoys to detect IEDs. Eventually, these trucks were modified into gun trucks, which allowed the units to more effectively respond to attacks.
Despite its vulnerability, the Army Transportation Corps continued to use gun trucks during the Vietnam War. In 1969, more than 100 gun trucks served with eight transport battalions. After the war ended, most of these trucks were either scrapped or returned to their original cargo duties.
Various units in the Transportation Corps continued to modify their gun trucks, improving their design. A gun truck is a commercial truck that has been modified with a M60 machine gun mount and an improvised hull that is able to protect the crew and passengers. The gun truck's crew is usually composed of two gunners and the driver. Several crews carried additional M60s and M2s on ring and pintle mountings.
Gun trucks were also developed for other purposes, including escorting and covering convoys. Using a gun truck, a convoy can quickly travel from one area to another, increasing the likelihood of survival.
Instructions
WASD to drive
Categories
Action
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