×
Aircraft / Aviation Vehicles & Artillery Small Arms Warships & Submarines Military Ranks Military Pay Scale (2024) Special Forces

M730 Chaparral


Mobile Surface-to-Air Missile System (SAM)


United States | 1969



"The M48 Chaparral was removed from frontline service with American forces in 1997."

Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one land system design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the M730 Chaparral Mobile Surface-to-Air Missile System (SAM).
1 x General Motors GM 6V53 6-cylinder diesel engine developing 212 horsepower at 2,800rpm.
Installed Power
35 mph
56 kph
Road Speed
300 miles
483 km
Range
Structure
The physical qualities of the M730 Chaparral Mobile Surface-to-Air Missile System (SAM).
2
(MANNED)
Crew
19.3 ft
5.89 meters
O/A Length
8.8 ft
2.68 meters
O/A Width
9.2 ft
2.81 meters
O/A Height
28,299 lb
12,836 kg | 14.1 tons
Weight
Armament & Ammunition
Available supported armament, ammunition, and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the M730 Chaparral Mobile Surface-to-Air Missile System (SAM).
4 x MIM-72A short-range, surface-to-air missiles
AMMUNITION:
12 x MIM-72A short-range, surface-to-air missiles
Variants
Notable series variants as part of the M730 Chaparral family line.
MIM-72 - Base Series Designation
MIM-72A - Original Production Missiles
MIM-72B - Training missiles
MIM-72C - "Improved" Chaparral; all-aspect missile; increased range; AN/DAW-1 guidance; beginning service in 1978.
MIM-72D - Proposed Experimental Missile
MIM-72E - Revised MIM-72C series missiles with smokeless motor system.
MIM-72F - New-Build missiles with smokeless motor system.
MIM-72G - AN/DAW-2 guidance
MIM-72H - Export Model based on the MIM-72F.
MIM-72J - Revised/Downgraded export model based on the MIM-72G.
M30 - Training Missile
Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 02/14/2022 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The M48 Chaparral SAM system consists of an infrared heat seeking missile, a launcher with a Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) sight, and a tracked vehicle. The defense system was designed to be used in conjunction with the shorter-ranged M163 Vulcan Air Defense System. At its core, the Chaparral system is essentially a modified version of the M548 tracked carrier mated to the M54 launch and control system containing four launch rails. The system uses the M730 series cargo carrying, self-propelled tracked vehicle "9A" variant of the M113 Armored Personnel Carrier, which can be made amphibious by adding an existing swim kit. A towed configuration is also available.

The M48 Chaparral Fire Unit may be used either carrier mounted or unmounted. The launcher contains a rotating mount that includes four missile launch rails and provides the gunner the means to aim and fire using automatic or manual tracking (the operator can optically guide the missiles to their target, relying on the internal infrared guidance system to complete the job). Eight additional missiles are stowed in the vehicle. The missile (a surface-to-air version of the air-to-air AIM-9 Sidewinder missile) is lightweight, supersonic, fire-and-forget, with an infrared homing guidance system capable of engaging fixed-wing and rotary targets. To enhance the missile's acquisition range and capability the Rosette Scan Seeker (RSS) guidance section has been developed and is effective against infrared jammers. The missile is carried and handled as an assembled single round of ammunition. Prior to firing, the crew unveiled the provided blast shields to protect themselves, the cab and engine compartment from the violent launch blast inherent in such missiles. There was a front winch installed on the tracked carrier.

The M48 Chaparral provides mobile short-range (5,250 yards / 2,500 meters) air defense to defeat low-altitude aircraft. The system is designed to be mobile, self-contained and air transportable. The US Army utilized a total of 600 Fire Units with over 5,300 AIM-9 missiles on hand with more units in export for other armies. The M48 Chaparral was discontinued from frontline service at the end of 1997.

The M548 saw her cooling systems improved and this benefit was added to existing M730 series models, producing the M730A1 designation. NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) was added as was the new RISE power package while the front winch was removed, resulting in a further designation of M730A2 being used.

Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the M730 Chaparral. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national land systems listing.

Total Production: 600 Units

Contractor(s): Loral Aerospace Corporation - USA
National flag of Chile National flag of Ecuador National flag of Egypt National flag of Israel National flag of Morocco National flag of Portugal National flag of Taiwan National flag of Tunisia National flag of the United States

[ Chile; Ecuador; Egypt; Israel; Morocco; Portugal; Taiwan; Tunisia; United States ]
1 / 10
Image of the M730 Chaparral
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
2 / 10
Image of the M730 Chaparral
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
3 / 10
Image of the M730 Chaparral
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
4 / 10
Image of the M730 Chaparral
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
5 / 10
Image of the M730 Chaparral
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
6 / 10
Image of the M730 Chaparral
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
7 / 10
Image of the M730 Chaparral
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
8 / 10
Image of the M730 Chaparral
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
9 / 10
Image of the M730 Chaparral
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
10 / 10
Image of the M730 Chaparral
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

Going Further...
The M730 Chaparral Mobile Surface-to-Air Missile System (SAM) appears in the following collections:
HOME
ARMOR INDEX
ARMOR BY COUNTRY
VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS
COMPARE VEHICLES
VEHICLES BY CONFLICT
VEHICLES BY TYPE
VEHICLES BY DECADE
COLD WAR VEHICLES
GULF WAR VEHICLES
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

2024 Military Pay Scale Military Ranks of the World U.S. Department of Defense Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols Breakdown U.S. 5-Star Generals List WWII Weapons by Country

The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft), WDMMW.org (World Directory of Modern Military Warships), SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane, and MilitaryRibbons.info, cataloguing military medals and ribbons. Special Interest: RailRoad Junction, the locomotive encyclopedia.


©2024 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2024 (21yrs)