Description
U.S. Army Technical Manual Change 3 TM 9-1285-200-35P for AN/VPS-2 Radar Set, March 1973
Item Overview
This U.S. Army publication is Change 3 for TM 9-1285-200-35P, the repair-parts and special-tools manual for the AN/VPS-2 Radar Set, FSN 1285-087-4746. Dated March 1973, it updates the original technical manual issued on July 15, 1970. This listing is for the Change 3 update only. It is not the complete July 1970 base manual and does not include a radar set, antenna, vehicle, weapon, tools, or other equipment.
About the Change 3 Update
Change publications were issued to keep military manuals current without replacing the entire book. Change 3 was intended to be used with the original TM 9-1285-200-35P and any earlier changes that remained in effect. Instructions in a change packet told the user which information or pages to remove, replace, add, or revise. A complete working reference may require the original July 1970 manual and applicable earlier updates.
Publication Details
The “35P” suffix identifies this as a direct support, general support, and depot maintenance repair-parts and special-tools publication. It supported maintenance personnel and supply specialists responsible for identifying and ordering components needed to repair the AN/VPS-2.
- Manual number: TM 9-1285-200-35P
- Update: Change 3
- Change date: March 1973
- Original manual date: July 15, 1970
- Subject: Radar Set AN/VPS-2
- Federal Stock Number: 1285-087-4746
- Manual type: Repair parts and special tools list
- Maintenance levels: Direct support, general support, and depot
- Issuing authority: Headquarters, Department of the Army
- Country of origin: United States
- Item included: Change 3 publication only
Manual Coverage
A 35P parts manual helped technicians match serviceable replacement parts with the correct radar assemblies. Publications of this type commonly used component illustrations, reference numbers, stock numbers, descriptions, quantities, and maintenance codes to support identification and supply work. Change 3 revised selected information in the original parts manual so maintenance and supply records would remain current.
About the AN/VPS-2 Radar Set
The AN/VPS-2 was a range-only pulse-Doppler radar developed for short-range air-defense fire control. It measured the distance to a moving aircraft and its rate of movement along the radar’s line of sight. This information was sent to the fire-control system and used to calculate the lead required for the gunner to engage the target. It was not a wide-area search radar, so the gunner first located and followed the target through the optical sight.
Radar Components and Operation
The complete radar system included a parabolic antenna, center feed, transmitter-receiver, power supplies, controls, cables, and related electronic assemblies. The antenna moved with the weapon mount and directed a narrow radar beam toward the selected target. The transmitter-receiver generated radar pulses and processed the returning signals. Maintaining these parts required accurate identification records, making updated 35P publications important to Army repair and supply units.
Vulcan Air Defense System History
The AN/VPS-2 was used with the M163 self-propelled and M167 towed 20mm Vulcan Air Defense Systems. The M163 carried the M168 six-barrel rotary cannon and its fire-control equipment on an M741 tracked carrier based on the M113 vehicle family. The M167 placed the same basic weapon system on a towable carriage. Developed during the 1960s, the Vulcan systems provided mobile protection against low-flying aircraft and helicopters.
History of Use
Vulcan systems entered Army service during the Vietnam era and became part of the forward-area air-defense network. During an air engagement, the gunner followed the target through the M61 lead-computing sight while the AN/VPS-2 supplied range and range-rate data. The fire-control equipment used this information to calculate the proper aiming lead. Vulcan guns could also engage ground targets, although the AN/VPS-2 radar was designed mainly for use against moving aircraft.
Cold War Importance
The original July 1970 manual dates from the beginning of the Vulcan system’s operational service, while this March 1973 change reflects continued updates to its parts and maintenance support. The Army used the short-range Vulcan gun with the MIM-72 Chaparral missile system to protect troops, airfields, command posts, and supply areas. The AN/VPS-2 remained part of improved Vulcan configurations during later Cold War service.
Collector and Research Value
This Change 3 publication is a specialized reference for studying the AN/VPS-2 radar, M163 and M167 Vulcan systems, military parts identification, and Army technical-publication practices. It is especially useful when paired with the original July 1970 manual or displayed as an example of how the Army kept repair-parts records current.
Condition
This vintage military technical manual may show cover wear, edge wear, folds, yellowing, stains, writing, stamps, punched holes, loose pages, or other signs of age and storage. Printing details and condition may vary between available copies. Please check the pictures for the general condition of the item.
Ideal For
This publication is well suited for collections, restoration projects, parts research, and displays covering Army radar and short-range air-defense equipment.
- U.S. Army technical-manual collections
- AN/VPS-2 radar research
- M163 VADS restoration projects
- M167 Vulcan air-defense research
- Military repair-parts documentation collections
- Cold War radar and electronics displays
- Museum and archival collections
Approx length 8", Approx width 11", Approx height .1", Approx weight .15lbs.
Pictures are stock images of our inventory. Unless otherwise noted, you will not be receiving the exact item shown in the pictures. The pictures are representative of the item’s general condition. The item you receive might be slightly better, or worse, condition than was shown in the pictures.
Please visit our page about order lead times here: Order Lead Times.