Unit of the Week #15 - M551 “Sheridan”

The M551 “Sheridan” is a light armored reconnaissance airborne Assault Vehicle utilized by the US Army.

The main armament of the Sheridan is a potent rifled 152mm M81 main gun capable of firing both MGM-51 Shillelagh anti-tank guided missiles and conventional ammunition. Additionally the M551 is armed with a 7.62mm M240 machine gun and a 12.7mm M2HB antiaircraft machine gun. The tank protection is provided by a new type aluminum hull and steel turret which made it light compared to most tanks at the time. However, the aluminum armor was thin enough and did not provide reliable protection against anti- tank mines and heavy machine-gun rounds.

The tank entered service with the US army in 1967. The Sheridans participated in the Vietnam war and later in a few armed conflicts involving U.S. Army.Currently, it is almost completely retired from service.

The M551A1 modification of 1972 was upgraded with AN/VVG-1 laser range finder and new optical and electronic systems.