1972
1972 MICOM assumed responsibility for procurement and production for the 2.75-Inch rocket Navy launchers (LAU) family. Transfer of this function from MUCOM gave the Missile Command responsibility for tri-service rocket launcher procurement.
1972 As a result of U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (TECOM) life tests on the M22 subsystem that revealed no degradation in missile performance due to age or storage, the shelf life of the M22 was extended from 7 years to indefinite. The latter designation would change if future tests indicated a definite problem that would terminate serviceability.
1972 Although all HONEST JOHN customer countries were offered an opportunity to upgrade their truck-mounted ground support equipment, not one accepted, despite the fact that termination of support for their existing equipment was imminent.
1972 Shipments began in the spring of this year to increase the density of SHERIDAN/ SHILLELAGH equipment in USAREUR in response to a DA study. This deployment effort was expected to double the density by January 74.
January 72 The Army's newest training target system--the Ballistic Aerial Target System (BATS)-- became fully operational. A low-cost, worldwide target system used to support VULCAN, CHAPARRAL, and REDEYE training, the BATS represented an enemy jet aircraft flying low to minimize radar detection, then suddenly popping up and diving on the target to deliver its ordnance.
5 January 72 AMC established the REDEYE II Project Office at MICOM.
24 January 72 The Aeronutronic Division of Philco-Ford Corporation received an $11.8 million contract for a 40-month SHILLELAGH product improvement program to make the system more reliable and easier to maintain.
February 72 The first female Vietnam era veteran was appointed to a job at RSA under provisions of the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Program.
February 72 The RSA Halfway House was officially opened. The following month, RSA began to hold Alcoholics Anonymous meetings on post for both military and civilian personnel with a drinking problem.
14 February 72 DA extended the NIKE HERCULES system's life, stating that the missile would remain in the field until it was replaced by the SAM-D missile system.
March 72 The Army began the Improved COBRA Armament Program. The XM65 TOW/COBRA development program was a functional upgrade of the XM26 TOW/UH-1B HUEY armament subsystem. The COBRA was the first helicopter designed expressly as a weapons carrier.
10 March 72 The popular name for the new REDEYE II system - STINGER - was confirmed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense on this date.
31 March 72 The LCSS Product Office was abolished after LCSIMO assumed management responsibility for the system.
2 May 72 The TOW missile system in its airborne configuration became the first American-made guided missile to be fired by U.S. soldiers in combat. The first airborne TOWs had arrived in Vietnam on 24 April 72, six days after MICOM had received the initial deployment order. This was a notable achievement considering that the system was still in the experimental stage and there were only a limited number of complete subsystems available. The airborne TOW served in Vietnam until 1973.
26 June 72 The CHAPARRAL Special Items Management Office was discontinued when ADSIMO began managing CHAPARRAL/FAAR and other air defense functions.
30 June 72 The first LANCE training battalion (1st Battery/12th Field Artillery) was activated at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. This unit successfully fired six missiles from WSMR in the first LANCE annual service practice.
21 August 72 The first Forward Area Alerting Radar (FAAR) platoon was activated.
1 October 72 The Directorate for Research, Development, Engineering, and Missile Systems Laboratory was redesignated the U.S. Army Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Laboratory.
3 October 72 The HELLFIRE Management Office (Provisional) was established to direct the program for the new HELLFIRE missile system and ancillary equipment.
November 72 The non-nuclear LANCE warhead program was restored because it would provide U.S. field commanders with tactical flexibility. The nation's NATO allies also had expressed a strong desire for such a warhead, since it would provide them with a conventional capability free from U.S. custodial restrictions. Initial funding for the restored program was received in January 73.
November 72 Work began this month to convert Steam Plants 3624 and 4725 from coal-fired facilities to combination gas/oil-fired plants. This was an air pollution control project to bring the steam plants up to acceptable federal and state standards for control of particulate emissions.
6 November 72 The first Improved HAWK battalion - the 2d/62d Air Defense Artillery Battalion - was activated in Bitburg, Germany.
December 72 DOD established a tri-service laser seeker program to eliminate potential duplication in the Army, Air Force, and Navy programs.
11 December 72
MICOM permanently established the HELLFIRE Project Office. The Heliborne Laser Fire and Forget missile program resulted from the Army's requirement to develop a helicopter-launched, direct/indirect fire and forget, laser semiactive guided, terminal homing, antitank, hard point weapon system. One of the key components of the new system was its laser seeker device.
Excellence in Missilery:
Introduction,
1962,
1963,
1964,
1965,
1966,
1967,
1968,
1969,
1970,
1971,
1972,
1973,
1974,
1975,
1976,
1977,
1978,
1979
