Difference between revisions of "M247"

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m (Usage in battles: Fixed a few small details.)
(Main armament)
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== Description ==
 
== Description ==
<!--''In the description, the first part needs to be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert the screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, they will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''-->
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<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a Rank {{Specs|rank}} American self-propelled anti-aircraft gun {{Battle-rating|1}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.81 "The Valkyries"]].
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The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American self-propelled anti-aircraft gun {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.81 "The Valkyries"]].
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
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<!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' The text within these arrows are not to be deleted -->
 
<!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' The text within these arrows are not to be deleted -->
  
'''Armour type:'''  
+
'''Armour type:'''
  
* 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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|-
 
|-
 
! ''Arcade''
 
! ''Arcade''
| rowspan="2" | 560 (280) || rowspan="2" | 300 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+85° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | Two-plane || 79.3 || 109.4 || 111.3 || 112.1 || 113.2 || rowspan="2" | 6.5 || rowspan="2" | 5.8 || rowspan="2" | 5.3 || rowspan="2" | 5.0
+
| rowspan="2" | 560 (280) || rowspan="2" | 300 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+85° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | Two-plane || 79.2 || 109.7 || 133.2 || 147.3 || 156.7 || rowspan="2" | 6.50 || rowspan="2" | 5.75 || rowspan="2" | 5.30 || rowspan="2" | 5.00
 
|-
 
|-
 
! ''Realistic''
 
! ''Realistic''
| 53.5 || 63.1 || 69.8 || 73.8 || 76.5
+
| 53.6 || 63.0 || 76.5 || 84.6 || 90.0
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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|-
 
|-
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Belt
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Belt
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)'''
+
! colspan="6" | Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
 
|-
 
|-
 
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
 
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
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|-
 
|-
 
| M822 || 94 || 90 || 77 || 62 || 51 || 41
 
| M822 || 94 || 90 || 77 || 62 || 51 || 41
|-  
+
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
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== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
<!--''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''-->
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<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
The M247 Sgt York is a very deadly SPAA, The M247 is deadly to some lightly armored vehicles but even deadlier to Aircraft. When using the  M247 you can easily shred some lightly armored 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.
+
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.
 
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.
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The recommended ammunition belt is the M822 belt, which includes both the AP and HE-VT rounds.
 
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 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 armor-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.
+
This belt is the best at taking out enemy aircraft because the 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 and cons ===
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<!--''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article.''-->
 
<!--''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article.''-->
  
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 [[M3 Bradley|M2/M3 Bradley]], in order to provide cover against aircraft. There were other SPAA vehicles in service at the time; these were the [[M163|M163 Vulcan]] and the MIM-72/M48 Chaparral. The former being a 20 mm rotary cannon mounted on an armored personnel carrier, and the latter being a heavily modified armored 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.
+
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 [[M3 Bradley|M2/M3 Bradley]], in order to provide cover against aircraft. There were other SPAA vehicles in service at the time; these were the [[M163|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 armored forces, which was the reason for its acceptance, even though the Stingers were not as effective as the ADATS missiles<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M247_Sergeant_York</ref>.
+
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<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M247_Sergeant_York</ref>.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
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== External links ==
 
== External links ==
<!--''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
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<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''other literature.''-->
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* ''other literature.'' -->
  
 
* [[wt:en/news/5714-development-tam-and-m247-sergeant-york-en|[Devblog] TAM and M247 Sergeant York]]
 
* [[wt:en/news/5714-development-tam-and-m247-sergeant-york-en|[Devblog] TAM and M247 Sergeant York]]

Revision as of 14:46, 7 August 2021

RANK 5 FRANCE
Somua SM PACK
us_m247.png
GarageImage M247.jpg
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 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
Belt Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
Default 94 90 77 62 51 41
40 mm AP-T 94 90 77 62 51 41
M811 94 90 77 62 51 41
M822 94 90 77 62 51 41

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 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:

  • Twin stabilized 40 mm M266 cannon (L/70 40 mm Bofors) have a much higher rate of fire compared to the M42 Duster
  • Large ammunition count ensures that you will have plenty to fire throughout a match without fear of running out of ammo mid-game
  • Has access to 12 x 66 mm smoke grenades, perfect for exiting a dangerous situation
  • M822 ammunition is proximity fused and will detonate if the projectile passes close enough to the target
  • 40 mm cannons pose a serious threat to lightly armoured vehicles, and to the sides of most tanks at close 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
  • 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
  • Is resistant against aircraft ramming

Cons:

  • As with all high-rank SPAA, the M247 has very thin turret armour; a shell strike could instantly end the vehicle
    • Turret is also vulnerable to strafing aircraft and rockets
  • Armour advantages of the hull are nullified due to the hull-break mechanic of the turret
  • With all radar SPAA, the spinning search radar can expose your position and lead to your destruction
  • 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 reload on a capture point after depleting ammo
  • The high rate of fire can deplete the ammo quickly
  • Tedious stock grind, with the HE-VT belt available at tier 4
  • Only three crew members
  • Radar can easily be damaged even by small-calibre rounds
  • Mobility is extremely sluggish when stock, will barely break 25 km/h off road without a road or hill
  • Will often face vehicles with APSDFS, HEAT-FS and ATGMs, which will slice right through the armour

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