Anti Everything, and It's AWESOME || XM 246

The XM246 was an American experimental self-propelled anti-aircraft gun developed by General Dynamics in the 1970s. The project began in 1973 as part of the Gun Low Altitude Air Defense System (GLAADS) programme, intended to create both towed and self-propelled systems for engaging low-flying targets. When GLAADS was cancelled, development was halted.

In 1977, the US Army launched the DIVAD (Division Air Defense) competition. General Dynamics entered with an updated prototype, adapted to the new requirements: the XM246 mounted two Swiss-made Oerlikon KDA 35 mm automatic cannons, paired with a Delco electro-optical sighting system and a fire-control radar derived from the naval AN/VPS-2. Once the competition was narrowed down to two finalists – General Dynamics and Ford – their prototypes received the designations XM246 and XM247. Each company was tasked with producing two pre-production vehicles for final trials in 1980. Ford’s prototype was ultimately declared the winner. The Army rejected the XM246 primarily due to its asymmetric sighting and tracking layout. The offset positioning of the optics and radar created problems with target tracking, making it difficult to hit fast-moving aircraft crossing the line of sight at sharp angles.

Introduced in Update 2.45 “Hornet’s Sting”, the XM246's most distinctive feature is its pair of high-fire-rate 35 mm cannons, the same type used on the Gepard, giving it strong performance against both air and ground targets. Its M48-based chassis provides some protection for the crew against aircraft ordnance and shell fragments. However, the vehicle’s large, lightly armoured turret with exposed side ammunition stowage makes it vulnerable. While the XM246 closely resembles its competitor, the M247, the latter is equipped with proximity-fuzed fragmentation rounds that give it a notable advantage when engaging aircraft and helicopters.

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