Difference between revisions of "M247"

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m (Pros and cons: Fixed and rephrased some of the pros and cons)
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* Cast homogeneous armour (hull)
 
* Cast homogeneous armour (hull)
* Rolled homogeneous armour (hull sides (rear bulge), hull roof, turret)
+
* Rolled homogeneous armour (hull sides - rear bulge, hull roof, turret)
  
 
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'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
  
* Twin stabilized 40 mm M266 cannon (L/70 40 mm Bofors) have a much higher rate of fire compared to the M42 Duster
+
* Has access to 12 smoke grenades
* Large ammunition count ensures that you will have plenty to fire throughout a match without fear of running out of ammo mid-game
+
* Can retract and extend both search and tracking radars to reduce silhouette
* Has access to 12 smoke grenades, with 2 charges (6/12)
+
* Twin stabilized 40 mm cannons have a high rate of fire
 +
* Large ammunition count ensures that you will have plenty to fire throughout a match
 
* Potent proximity ammunition for anti-aircraft use
 
* Potent proximity ammunition for anti-aircraft use
* 40 mm cannons are fully stabilized and pose a serious threat to lightly armoured vehicles, and can penetrate the sides of some tanks
+
* 40 mm cannons pose a serious threat to lightly-armoured vehicles, and can penetrate the sides of some tanks
 
* Radar allows for high range of detection and very accurate tracking, with 10 km tracking and 40 km detection range
 
* Radar allows for high range of detection and very accurate tracking, with 10 km tracking and 40 km detection range
 
* Has access to night vision devices, a laser rangefinder, commander sights, and commander fire control
 
* Has access to night vision devices, a laser rangefinder, commander sights, and commander fire control
* Can retract and extend both search and tracking radars to reduce silhouette
 
* Turret is thin enough for some shells to overpenetrate, doing little damage
 
* Hull armour can bounce some lower tier shots and is resistant against aircraft ramming
 
* All crew members are fully enclosed
 
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
  
* Very vulnerable
+
* Vulnerable to enemy armour, artillery strikes and air attacks
* With all radar SPAA, the spinning search radar can expose your position and lead to your destruction
+
* Only three crew members
 +
* Radar can easily be damaged even by machine gun fire
 +
* The spinning search radar can expose your position
 +
* The M247 is sluggish especially when stock, will usually not be able to keep up with MBTs
 +
* The high rate of fire can deplete the ammo quickly without proper trigger discipline
 +
* HE-VT belt is only available at tier IV
 +
* Cannot carry more than one type of ammo belt
 
* The gunner sight optics only has one zoom setting (12.0x with a sight FOV of 6) meaning that you may struggle to engage tanks and to lock/eliminate aircraft
 
* The gunner sight optics only has one zoom setting (12.0x with a sight FOV of 6) meaning that you may struggle to engage tanks and to lock/eliminate aircraft
* Cannot carry more than one type of ammo belt
+
* 5-minute long restock time on a capture point after depleting ammo
* 5 minute long reload on a capture point after depleting ammo
 
* The high rate of fire can deplete the ammo quickly especially with poor trigger discipline
 
* Tedious stock grind, HE-VT belt available at tier 4
 
* Only three crew
 
* Radar can easily be damaged even by machine gun fire
 
* Mobility is extremely sluggish especially when stock, will usually not be able to keep up with MBTs
 
 
* No IRST mode and cannot lock onto targets when the radar is off
 
* No IRST mode and cannot lock onto targets when the radar is off
 
* Using the laser rangefinder does not adjust the range of the guns  
 
* Using the laser rangefinder does not adjust the range of the guns  

Revision as of 06:46, 23 April 2022

RANK 5 FRANCE
Somua SM PACK
us_m247.png
GarageImage M247.jpg
ArtImage M247.png
M247
AB RB SB
9.0 9.0 9.0
Class:
Research:190 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:520 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The Gun, Air Defence Artillery, Self-Propelled, 40-mm, M247 is a rank VI American self-propelled anti-aircraft gun with a battle rating of 9.0 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.81 "The Valkyries".

General info

Survivability and armour

Smoke grenades
Creation of a smoke screen in front of the vehicle
Armourfront / side / back
Hull110 / 76 / 35
Turret25 / 12 / 12
Crew3 people
Visibility192 %

Armour type:

  • Cast homogeneous armour (hull)
  • Rolled homogeneous armour (hull sides - rear bulge, hull roof, turret)
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 85-200 mm (59-74°) Front glacis
63-200 mm (13-60°) Lower glacis
76 mm (8-43°) Front
51 mm (0-43°) Rear
35 mm (26-32°) Top
25 mm (61-62°) Bottom
57 mm
Turret 25.4 mm (15-76°) Turret front (Upper)
12.7 mm (40-69°) Turret front (Lower)
25.4 mm (0-87°) Gun mantlet
12.7-25.4 mm (0-19°) Upper
12.7 mm (40-69°) Lower
12.7 mm (18°) 12.7 mm

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels and tracks are 20 mm thick.
  • Belly armour is 38 mm thick in the front half and 25 mm in the rear.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB52 / 13 km/h
RB and SB48 / 12 km/h
Number of gears6 forward
2 back
Weight54.4 t
Engine power
AB1 431 hp
RB and SB750 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB26.3 hp/t
RB and SB13.8 hp/t
Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 52 13 54.4 1,065 1,431 19.58 26.31
Realistic 48 12 663 750 12.19 13.79

The M247's turret is installed on the hull of an M48 medium tank, because of this they have roughly similar mobility. The M247 is about 3 tons heavier than the M48A1 (49.3 tons vs. 46.4 tons), and has a slightly weaker engine, which translates into a slightly more sluggish machine compared to the M48A1. The M48A1 has a max engine power of 810 hp, while the M247's engine power is 750 hp. For a vehicle this heavy, it has fairly good mobility. When spaded, it can comfortably hit a top speed of 45 km/h on flat terrain, while in cross-country you will have a top speed of around 25 km/h. While going backwards, the top speed is somewhat less impressive: about -9 km/h.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB5 572 → 7 689 Sl icon.png
RB4 681 → 6 459 Sl icon.png
SB5 517 → 7 613 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications159 400 Rp icon.png
265 000 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost2 600 Ge icon.png
Crew training150 000 Sl icon.png
Experts520 000 Sl icon.png
Aces2 100 Ge icon.png
Research Aces950 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
160 / 210 / 240 % Sl icon.png
220 / 220 / 220 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Research:
8 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
13 000 Sl icon.png
330 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Research:
7 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
300 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Research:
7 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
300 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
440 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
440 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
440 Ge icon.png
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Research:
2 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
13 000 Sl icon.png
330 Ge icon.png
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Research:
2 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
300 Ge icon.png
Mods tank reinforcement us.png
Crew Replenishment
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
440 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Research:
8 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
13 000 Sl icon.png
330 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
40mm_SGT_YORK_HE_ammo_pack
Research:
8 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
13 000 Sl icon.png
330 Ge icon.png
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Research:
7 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
300 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
40mm_SGT_YORK_AP_ammo_pack
Research:
7 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
300 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
440 Ge icon.png
Mods smoke screen.png
Smoke grenade
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
440 Ge icon.png
Mods tank laser rangefinder.png
Laser rangefinder
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
440 Ge icon.png
Mods art support.png
Artillery Support
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
440 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
40mm_SGT_YORK_HE_prox_ammo_pack
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
440 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Laser rangefinder
Reduces the error and increases the maximum measurable distance of the rangefinder

Main armament

2 x 40 mm M266 automatic cannon
Two-plane stabilizer
Reduces the swing of the gun in two planes while moving
Ammunition500 rounds
Belt capacity125 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
6.5 → 5.0 s
Fire rate300 shots/min
Vertical guidance-10° / 85°
Main article: M266 (40 mm)
40 mm M266 automatic Cannon (x2) Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 560 (280) 300 -10°/+85° ±180° Two-plane 79.2 109.7 133.2 147.3 156.7 6.50 5.75 5.30 5.00
Realistic 53.6 63.0 76.5 84.6 90.0

Ammunition

  • Default: HEFI-T* · AP-T - Good general ammunition, a hit on an aircraft typically means its destruction while still enough to do damage to armoured ground vehicles, especially if it shoots into the side of an enemy tank (weaker armour). Good to start with until comfortable with other types of ammunition.
  • 40 mm AP-T: AP-T · AP-T · AP-T · HEFI-T* - Very powerful ammunition which can be used against ground targets with significantly more penetration than other 35-40 mm AP-T projectiles. Will easily destroy any target with side shots even outside the point-blank range and can destroy lighter targets and weak spots from the front even against main battle tanks.
  • M811: HEFI-T* · HEFI-T* · HEFI-T* · AP-T - Unlike the M822 HEE-VT shells, these require direct hits on aircraft to do significant damage, but if problems are experienced with M822 detonating too early this belt may be your best choice.
  • M822: HE-VT* · HE-VT* · AP-T - Proximity-fused shells that absolutely obliterate aircraft when they make contact, though if they detonate too early, they will do little to no damage. Somewhat unreliable in if they detonate within range of the target, but when they do the target will quickly take considerable damage if not destroyed. The only ammunition for self-propelled anti-aircraft guns that which can cause enough shrapnel damage to bring down planes and helicopters even with near misses. This round should be the go-to anti-air ammunition, although the M811 is a good backup if the M822 is problematic for the gunner.
Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
Default HEF-I HEF-I* 6 6 6 6 6 6
Default AP-T AP-T 94 90 77 62 51 41
M822 HE-VT 5 5 5 5 5 5
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
Mass (kg)
Fuse delay
(m)
Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Explosive Mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
Default HEF-I HEF-I* 1,100 0.86 0 0.1 262 79° 80° 81°
Default AP-T AP-T 1,025 0.93 N/A N/A N/A 47° 60° 65°
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
Mass (kg)
Fuse delay
(m)
Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Explosive Mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
Arming distance
(m)
Trigger radius
(m)
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
M822 HE-VT* 1,100 0.86 0 0.1 191 500 4 79° 80° 81°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the M247
Full
ammo
1st
rack empty
Visual
discrepancy
1 0 (+1) No

Notes:

  • With a single ammunition rack, you can bring only 1 type of ammunition in battle.

Usage in battles

The M247 Sgt York is a very deadly SPAA, The M247 is deadly to some lightly armoured vehicles but even deadlier to Aircraft. When using the M247 you can easily shred some lightly armoured vehicles like the Leopard 1. Where the speciality for the M247 is with its Proximity fused 40 mm rounds. They will shred any aircraft within a 2.0 km radius. You can play the vehicle mostly in 2 ways. You can push and try defending caps from the enemies and keeping the skies clear, or stay back behind cover and keep the skies clear for your allies, while using your AP rounds to fend off enemy vehicles.

Generally, enemy tanks should be avoided - especially from the front - but in desperate times or the right circumstances many of them can be dealt with. Due to the decent armour-piercing ammunition used by the M247, most tanks at its BR can be penetrated from the side. Common examples of tanks that are easy to penetrate from the side are the Leopard 1 and OF-40 families. Soviet tanks are quite a bit harder to penetrate and may not be penetrated except when nearly perpendicular to your guns. All light tanks and SPAAs can be penetrated from the side and many of them from the front as well. Again, full sized tanks should not generally be engaged except when there is no other choice, in which case aiming for the gun barrel may be the best choice, except when engaged from the side. Light vehicles, on the other hand, can be engaged favorably in most circumstances.

Ammunition

The recommended ammunition belt is the M822 belt, which includes both the AP and HE-VT rounds.

This belt is the best at taking out enemy aircraft because the proximity fuze rounds make it so that a direct hit on an aircraft is not needed, the shells must only pass near the aircraft to damage it. This belt also includes armour-piercing rounds so that if a ground target is spotted it can be engaged when necessary. The AP rounds have enough penetration (94 mm maximum) to go through the fronts of many light tanks and SPAA vehicles, as well as the sides of most other vehicles including main battle tanks (MBTs). The only class of vehicles that can not be penetrated in a majority of cases is the heavy tank class, which should be avoided as much as possible.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Has access to 12 smoke grenades
  • Can retract and extend both search and tracking radars to reduce silhouette
  • Twin stabilized 40 mm cannons have a high rate of fire
  • Large ammunition count ensures that you will have plenty to fire throughout a match
  • Potent proximity ammunition for anti-aircraft use
  • 40 mm cannons pose a serious threat to lightly-armoured vehicles, and can penetrate the sides of some tanks
  • Radar allows for high range of detection and very accurate tracking, with 10 km tracking and 40 km detection range
  • Has access to night vision devices, a laser rangefinder, commander sights, and commander fire control

Cons:

  • Vulnerable to enemy armour, artillery strikes and air attacks
  • Only three crew members
  • Radar can easily be damaged even by machine gun fire
  • The spinning search radar can expose your position
  • The M247 is sluggish especially when stock, will usually not be able to keep up with MBTs
  • The high rate of fire can deplete the ammo quickly without proper trigger discipline
  • HE-VT belt is only available at tier IV
  • Cannot carry more than one type of ammo belt
  • The gunner sight optics only has one zoom setting (12.0x with a sight FOV of 6) meaning that you may struggle to engage tanks and to lock/eliminate aircraft
  • 5-minute long restock time on a capture point after depleting ammo
  • No IRST mode and cannot lock onto targets when the radar is off
  • Using the laser rangefinder does not adjust the range of the guns

History

The M247 "Sergeant York" was designed in the late 1970's as a purpose-built SPAAG. It was designed to fight alongside the M1 Abrams and M2/M3 Bradley, in order to provide cover against aircraft. There were other SPAA vehicles in service at the time; these were the M163 Vulcan and the MIM-72/M48 Chaparral. The former being a 20 mm rotary cannon mounted on an armoured personnel carrier, and the latter being a heavily modified armoured personnel carrier chassis with a surface-to-air missile launcher. Neither of those two vehicles were designed as SPAA's, and so, did not have the necessary performance to be adequate at their job. The M247 was designed as a replacement for both of the previous vehicles.

Designs from a multitude of companies were entered into the competition. Only two were selected for testing: the Ford XM-247 with twin Bofors 40mm cannons and the General Dynamics XM-246 with twin Oerlikon 35mm cannons. The two prototypes were tested, and the XM-247 was selected as the winner, although the XM-246 had outscored it in all the shooting tests. The M247, as it was soon designated, ran into many problems. The radar was extremely deficient; it had a hard time distinguishing trees from planes, and if the guns were pointed too high, they would get in the radar's way and confuse it even more. In addition, it took too long for the radar to pick up a target and for the guns to actually take aim. In addition, the turret traverse speed was much too slow, the vehicle it's self was too sluggish to keep up the M1's and M2's, and it was unreliable in cold weather. Eventually, the program was cancelled after more testing, where it was proven the system could not even shoot down stationary drones. There was still a need for an anti-aircraft vehicle that could keep up with modern vehicles, so Oerlikon Canada created the ADATS anti-aircraft missile system. This was not as successful as hoped, and was only accepted into Canadian service. The void was eventually filled by the M6 Linebacker, an M2 Bradley with Stinger missiles instead of TOW missiles. The Linebacker was capable of keeping up with modern armoured forces, which was the reason for its acceptance, even though the Stingers were not as effective as the ADATS missiles[1].

Media

Skins

See also

Vehicles equipped with the same chassis
Other vehicles of similar configuration and role

External links

References


Ford Motor Company
Armoured cars  M8 Greyhound
SPAAGs  M247 Sergeant York
Export  ␗M8 LAC

USA anti-aircraft vehicles
M3 Half-track derivatives  M13 MGMC · M15 CGMC · M16 MGMC
M24 derivative  M19A1
M41 derivative  M42
Radar SPAAG  M163 · M247
Missile SPAA  ADATS · Imp.Chaparral · LAV-AD · XM975