Posted on 07/11/2018 5:25:04 PM PDT by Rebelbase
Technicals, a term typically applied to commercial pickup trucks or similar light wheeled vehicles with improvised weapon mounts, are common among both state security forces and non-state actors, especially in the Middle East. But few are as heavily armed as a type that Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen are employing, which packs a 20mm Vulcan cannon and looks like something one might expect to see in a new Mad Max movie.
Earlier in July 2018, images emerged on one of these vehicles, which appears to be based a heavily stripped down Toyota Hilux 4x4 pickup, engaged in operations against the elements of the Saudi Arabian-led coalition in the country or local forces they support in Lahij Governorate, which sits near the Gulf of Aden. In June 2018, forces from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Yemeni militia had launched a new offensive against the Houthis in the heavily contested port city of Hodeidah further to the north, which led to an increase in fighting in surrounding areas.
It’s not clear how many of these Vulcan-armed technicals the Houthis actually have. The group released a video in January 2017 that showed one in action in Taiz, north of Lahij Governorate. Additional imagery and video appear to show at least two different Toyota Hiluxes carrying the guns, but the rebels could have moved the weapon from one to another after the initial vehicle broke down or got destroyed.
Houthi forces had captured examples of the towed Vulcan Air Defense Systems, also known as the M167, as early as 2015, though. Earlier pictures and clips show rebels with the guns mounted on U.S.-made M54-series five-ton truck and a Soviet-era
(Excerpt) Read more at thedrive.com ...
Wouldn’t even light tanks wipe these things off the map in short order? I don’t see any armor on them.
That idiot has no ear protection. I guess in the long run that’s not gonna matter is it?
Wouldn’t the recoil flip a Toyota pickup?
With a massive, unshielded idiot chip inside (not just the driver), easily capable of being overwhelmed or fried.
A sniper could easily take out the driver and the gunman.
Would the 4x4 need outriggers to stabilize the truck?
Okay, saw the vid....not as much recoil as I was expecting
Supersonic LGB release so they don’t hear it coming. Wouldn’t want them to die all tensed up. It would make tough eating for the dogs.
What?
20x102mm ammo weights in at about 700 POUNDS/1,000 rounds.
The Vulcan fires them off at ~6,000 minute.
Most of the weight appears to be well above the bed of the truck.
Might be some handling issues for the crew?
Toyota Hilux vs. Predator Drone ...
3... 2... 1... Go!
Klingons were not impressed...
I don’t think the Saudis and their allies (including us) are using tanks at this time. Is the terrain in Yemen even a good place to deploy tanks? But these trucks have got to be easy pickings for fighter jets and attack helicopters. These things are seem to me to be only good for ground to ground fighting in populated areas - mostly I would think for intimidating the local population or assaults on small fortifications or combatants holed up in some location. But I admit I am not an expert on military weapons or tactics.
I have seen Dishka (50 cal) “technicals” and a few others and they are totally useless except for pumping large numbers of rounds downrange and “praying” you hit someone.
The first and second rounds might go close to where you are aiming, but then the vehicle starts to tilt back. That slight deviation sends the rounds way into the sky and well over the heads of the people you are aiming at. However, they are usually as untrained as the technical crew and they bury themselves into the ground.
US troops normally understand this, and return fire in an aimed and expeditious manner at the “technical”. This is why technicals are not used that much against US troops. At least not more than once by that particular crew.
I wouldn’t know from experience, but it seems like that guy’s in a rather exposed position where he is. Probably the same for the driver.
These types of technicals are usually the backup for a broad range of infantry attacks on a target. The technical keeps the defenders occupied while the infantry runs up to the barricade, wall, fortified position, etc.
It is useless against even a moderately trained foe because they are so exposed.
you’re talking about a different type fo war than they are fighting
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