M-551 Sheridan Light Tank

The M-551 Sheridan Light Tank (also called M551 General Sheridan Armored Reconnaissance Airborne Assault Vehicle) was adopted in 1965-66, served a three-year combat tour in Vietnam, and was employed by U.S. Cavalry units in Germany and Korea for nine years, remaining in Army inventory for a total of 27 years.

The M551 Sheridan had a spotty development history, characterized by difficulties with the complex electronics gear associated with its antitank missile system and problems with the combustible cases for its main gun rounds. The Shillelagh missile system was not a problem in Vietnam (since it was not used) but the combustible case gave persistent trouble.

The Sheridan was not popular in Vietnam -- it was suspected of being highly vulnerable to mines and rocket propelled grenades and could not break through jungle like the M48A3 Patton Tank. In later years, Sheridans served in operations such as Just Cause and were used as OPFOR at the National Training Center (top photo).

M551 Sheridan tank takes a simulated hit, National Training Center, Fort Irwin, CA.

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M-551 Sheridan Light Tank

The M-551 Sheridan was designed as an antitank weapon for airborne forces. The M-551 Sheridan was sent to Vietnam stripped of its Shillelagh primary antitank missile equipment. Its armament consisted of:

The 152-mm. main gun, firing combustible-case ammunition with several different warheads
One .50-caliber M2 machine gun at the commander's station
One M60 7.62-mm. machine gun mounted with the main gun

Sheridan M-551 and crew members of the 3d Squadron, 4th Cavalry, Vietnam, 1969.

M551 General Sheridan Armored Reconnaissance Airborne Assault Vehicle.

M551 Sheridan tank as it fires Shillelagh antitank missile.

This M551 Sheridan from C Company 3/73rd Armor, 82nd AB Div, was dropped by parachute into Panama on 20 Dec 1989 during Operation Just Cause.

Sheridan M-551 and crew members photographed in Germany.