Description
U.S. Army Technical Manual TM 9-1285-200-35/1 for AN/VPS-2 Radar Set, May 1970 Official Reprint
Item Overview
This U.S. Army technical manual covers direct support, general support, and depot maintenance for the AN/VPS-2 Radar Set, P/N 10549058. Originally issued in May 1970, this copy is an official military reprint containing current pages from Changes 1 and 2. It was prepared for trained technicians responsible for maintaining radar and fire-control equipment used with the Army’s Vulcan Air Defense System. This listing is for the technical manual only. It does not include a radar set, antenna, vehicle, weapon, test equipment, power supply, or other components.
Official Reprint
This official reprint combines the original May 1970 publication with updated pages issued through Changes 1 and 2. Replacement pages were used by the Army to correct information, revise procedures, update illustrations, and keep maintenance instructions current. This format allowed personnel to use one updated publication instead of handling the original manual and each change separately.
Publication Details
The “35” suffix identifies this as a higher-level maintenance manual for work beyond routine crew and organizational service. The “/1” suffix identifies it as the first part of a multi-part maintenance series for the AN/VPS-2.
- Manual number: TM 9-1285-200-35/1
- Original publication date: May 1970
- Subject: Radar Set AN/VPS-2
- Part number: 10549058
- Manual level: Direct support, general support, and depot maintenance
- Edition: Official military reprint
- Updates included: Current pages from Changes 1 and 2
- Issuing authority: Headquarters, Department of the Army
- Country of origin: United States
- Item included: Technical manual only
Manual Coverage
This publication supported detailed inspection, troubleshooting, testing, adjustment, repair, removal, installation, and final serviceability checks. Work at this level could involve the radar’s microwave, electronic, electrical, mechanical, antenna, and power-supply assemblies. The manual is useful for understanding the equipment, tools, testing methods, and maintenance practices required to return an unserviceable radar set to operating condition.
About the AN/VPS-2 Radar Set
The AN/VPS-2 was a range-only pulse-Doppler radar designed 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. That information was sent to the fire-control system, which used it to calculate the proper lead for the gunner. The AN/VPS-2 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 radar set 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. Selectable frequencies allowed several Vulcan systems to operate near one another with less risk of radar interference.
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 mounted an 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, these systems provided mobile defense 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 tracked the target through the M61 lead-computing sight while the AN/VPS-2 supplied range and range-rate information. The fire-control equipment used this data to move the sight reticle to the proper lead position. Vulcan guns could also engage ground targets, although the AN/VPS-2 radar was intended mainly for use against moving aircraft.
Cold War Importance
The May 1970 publication date places this manual near the beginning of the Vulcan system’s operational life. The Army used the short-range Vulcan gun with the MIM-72 Chaparral guided-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
TM 9-1285-200-35/1 is a specialized reference for studying Cold War radar, the M163 and M167 Vulcan systems, the M168 20mm rotary cannon, and Army fire-control maintenance. Its official reprint format and incorporated change pages also document how the Army updated technical publications as equipment and maintenance procedures changed.
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 manual is well suited for collections, restoration projects, historical research, and displays covering Army radar and short-range air-defense equipment.
- U.S. Army technical-manual collections
- AN/VPS-2 radar research and restoration
- M163 VADS restoration projects
- M167 Vulcan air-defense research
- 20mm M168 cannon fire-control displays
- Cold War radar and electronics collections
- Museum and archival collections
Approx length 17", Approx width 11", Approx height .5", Approx weight 2lbs.
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.
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