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1994-05-04
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The development of the Sheridan dates back to 1959 and the first prototype was
completed in 1962. The Allison Division of the General Motors Corporation un-
dertook the production of the tank. The first production vehicle was completed in
June 1966. The M-551 Armoured Reconnaissance/Airborne Assault Vehicle was
developed to replace the M-41 light tank and the M-56 SP antitank gun.
The Sheridan has an interesting weapons system. It consists of a launcher that
can fire Shillelagh missiles or a variety of conventional rounds including HEAT
and canister. When the Sheridan was first deployed to Vietnam, a number of
problems showed up. All the problems were corrected and the vehicle was de-
ployed to other countries.
The M-551 has a full range of night driving and fighting aids. A laser rangefinder
was added and a total refit program was approved in 1976. There are a number
of variants of the M-551 including missile armed anti-aircraft vehicles, mortar
carriers and flamethrower vehicles.