AAA Artillery

The introduction of aircraft to warfare in the early 20th Century required a defense, initially machine guns. As aircraft gained in range, power, and maneuverability defensive anti-aircraft artillery was developed that could shoot a powerful shell fast enough and high enough to intercept and down the target planes. During World War II, fire director electronics, radar, and the variable time (VT) fuse kept the AAA defenders equal to the threat. But the development of jet aircraft in the decades following WW II made cannon and machine guns obsolete for AAA defense. Modern anti-aircraft missiles were introduced to counter tactical aircraft and strategic bombers while the goal of anti-missile defense has been pursued to counter strategic missile threats.

A static display of US Army Antiaircraft Command 90mm and 75mm Skysweeper guns, radars, and support equipment, 1955. Image courtesy of Paul Freeman
A static display of US Army Antiaircraft Command 90mm and 75mm Skysweeper guns, radars, and support equipment, 1955. Image courtesy of Paul Freeman.

For many more photos of antiaircraft artillery, tanks, halftracks, armored cars, tank destroyers, trucks, jeeps and more, visit the linked page.

Today in WW II: 7 Jul 1937 Full scale war begins between Japan and China, the Second Sino-Japanese War. More ↓

7 Jul 1941 Britain turns over the defense of Iceland to the United States.
Visit the Olive-Drab.com World War II Timeline for day-by-day events 1939-1945! See also WW2 Books.

Chart of Anti-Aircraft Artillery

In this chart anti-aircraft artillery (AAA), click on the photo link to go to the page of photos and information for the specific weapon. Additional photos on the Olive-Drab.com Artillery page in the Military Firepower section. See also:

Another place to look is in the Military Weapons and Weapons Systems section of the Olive-Drab Historical Military Photo and Poster Gallery.

Vehicle	Description	Photo Link
M-16	M-16 Halftrack Multiple Gun Carriage
M-19	M-19 Twin 40mm Gun Carriage
M-42	M-42 Duster. Distinguish from M-19 with turret at the rear, M-42 turret is at front.
M-48	M48 Chaparral Air Defense System
M-163	M-163 Vulcan Air Defense System (VADS)
40-mm AA gun	Bofors Anti-Aircraft Artillery World War II
37-mm AA gun	Anti-Aircraft Artillery Early World War II
3-inch AA gun	Anti-Aircraft Artillery Early World War II
Skysweeper 75-mm AAA gun	Anti-Aircraft Artillery Post-World War II
M1 M1A1 M2 90-mm AAA gun	Anti-Aircraft Artillery World War II
M1 120mm	M1 120mm Gun Anti-Aircraft Artillery World War II