Accession Number:

AD0370383

Title:

SEARCHLIGHT ILLUMINATION

Descriptive Note:

Final rept. 26 Dec 1964-30 Apr 1965

Corporate Author:

ARMY CONCEPT TEAM IN VIETNAM APO SAN FRANCISCO 96384

Personal Author(s):

• McDonald, Francis W.

Report Date:

1965-11-30

Pagination or Media Count:

84.0

Abstract:

The purpose of this evaluation was to determine the feasibility and desirability of employing artillery searchlights in the counterinsurgency effort in the Republic of Vietnam. RVN. From 26 December 1964 to 30 April 1965, the Army Concept Team in Vietnam ACTIV conducted the evaluation of 30-inch diameter reflector carbon arc searchlights. This was accomplished by observing and analyzing operations of a test searchlight platoon of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam ARVN which was equipped with six US Army 30-inch searchlights. The evaluation was conducted under actual combat conditions and in no instance was the platoon employed merely to satisfy specific evaluation objectives. The evaluation revealed that 30-inch searchlights could be effectively employed in counterinsurgency operations. The employment of the lights in pairs assured the availability of illumination when requested and allowed the platoon to support a large area. It was concluded that introduction of additional searchlight units into Vietnam is desirable. However, prior to the organization of these units, Vietnamese mechanics and technicians must be thoroughly trained in all echelons of maintenance due to the complexity of the equipment.

Descriptors:

• *SEARCHLIGHTS
• ARTILLERY
• AZIMUTH
• BATTERY COMPONENTS
• CONTROL PANELS
• ELECTRIC BATTERIES
• ELECTRIC CABLES
• ENVIRONMENTAL TESTS
• FAILURE(MECHANICS)
• FEASIBILITY STUDIES
• GENERATORS
• ILLUMINATION
• MAINTENANCE
• MOBILITY
• NIGHT WARFARE
• PERFORMANCE(ENGINEERING)
• REFLECTORS
• RESEARCH MANAGEMENT
• TRAILERS
• TRAINING
• VIETNAM
• VULNERABILITY
• WEATHERPROOFING

Subject Categories:

• Unconventional Warfare

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE