Weapons of the Vietnam War

This article is about the weapons used in the Vietnam War, which involved the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) or North Vietnamese Army (NVA), National Liberation Front for South Vietnam (NLF) or Viet Cong (VC), and the armed forces of the China (PLA), Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN), United States, Republic of Korea, Philippines, Thailand, and the Australian, New Zealand defence forces, and a variety of irregular troops.

Vietnam era rifles used by the US military and allies

Nearly all United States-allied forces were armed with U.S. weapons including the M1 Garand, M1 carbine, M14 and M16. The Australian and New Zealand forces employed the 7.62 mm L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle as their service rifle, with the occasional US M16.

The PAVN, although having inherited a variety of American, French, and Japanese weapons from World War II and the First Indochina War (aka French Indochina War), were largely armed and supplied by the People's Republic of China, the Soviet Union, and its Warsaw Pact allies. In addition, some weapons—notably anti-personnel explosives, the K-50M (a PPSh-41 copy), and "home-made" versions of the RPG-2—were manufactured in North Vietnam. By 1969 the US Army had identified 40 rifle/carbine types, 22 machine gun types, 17 types of mortar, 20 recoilless rifle or rocket launcher types, nine types of antitank weapons, and 14 anti-aircraft artillery weapons used by ground troops on all sides. Also in use, primarily by anti-communist forces, were the 24 types of armored vehicles and self-propelled artillery, and 26 types of field artillery and rocket launchers.

Communist forces and weapons

Captured PAVN weapons

During the early stages of their insurgency, the Viet Cong mainly sustained itself with captured arms (often of American manufacture)[1] or crude, self-made weapons (e.g. copies of the US Thompson submachine gun[2] and shotguns made of galvanized pipes).[3] Most arms were captured from poorly defended ARVN militia outposts.[4]

Communist forces were principally armed with Chinese and Soviet weaponry though some VC guerrilla units were equipped with Western infantry weapons either captured from French stocks during the first Indochina war, such as the MAT-49, or from ARVN units or requisitioned through illicit purchase.

In the summer and fall of 1967, all Viet Cong battalions were reequipped with arms of Soviet design such as the AK-47 assault rifle and the RPG-2 anti-tank weapon.[5] Their weapons were principally of Chinese[6] or Soviet manufacture.[7] The period up to the conventional phase in the 1970, the Viet Cong and NVA were primarily limited to mortars, recoil-less rifles and small-arms and had significantly lighter equipment and firepower in comparison with the US arsenal, relying on ambushes alongside superior stealth, planning, marksmanship and small-unit tactics to face the disproportionate US technological advantage.[8]

Many divisions within the NVA would incorporate armoured and mechanised battalions including the Type 59 tank., BTR-60, Type 60 artillery and rapidly altered and integrated new war doctrines following the Tet Offensive into a mobile combined-arms force.[9] The North Vietnamese had both amphibious tanks (such as the PT-76) and light tanks (such the Type 62) used during the conventional phase. Experimental Soviet equipment started being used against ARVN forces at the same time, including Man-portable air-defense system SA-7 Grail and anti-tank missiles including the AT-3 Sagger.[10] By 1975 they had fully transformed from the strategy of mobile light-infantry and using the people's war concept used against the United States.[9]

US weapons

The American M16 rifle and XM177 carbine, which both replaced the M14, was lighter and considered more accurate than the AK-47 but was prone to malfunction. Often the gun suffered from a malfunction known as "failure to extract", which meant that the spent cartridge case remained lodged in the chamber after a round was fired. According to a congressional report, the malfunction was caused by a change of gunpowder in the ammunition, which was done without adequate testing and by a money saving policy, headed by Robert McNamara, to not issue adequate cleaning kits to soldiers. This led to a myth of a self-cleaning gun. These decisions were made without regard to the safety of soldiers and resulted in many deaths.

The heavily armored, 90 mm gun M48A3 'Patton' tank saw extensive action during the Vietnam War and over 600 were deployed with U.S. forces. They played an important role in infantry support though there were a few tank versus tank battles. The M67A1 flamethrower tank (nicknamed the Zippo) was an M48 variant used in Vietnam. Artillery was used extensively by both sides but the Americans were able to ferry the lightweight 105 mm M102 howitzer by helicopter to remote locations on quick notice.[11][12] With its 17-mile (27 km) range, the Soviet 130 mm M-46 towed field gun was a highly regarded weapon and used to good effect by the PAVN. It was countered by the long-range, American 175 mm M107 Self-Propelled Gun.[13]

The United States had air superiority though many aircraft were lost to surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft artillery. U.S. airpower was credited with breaking the siege of Khe Sanh and blunting the 1972 Easter Offensive against South Vietnam. At sea, the U.S. Navy had the run of the coastline, using aircraft carriers as platforms for offshore strikes and other naval vessels for offshore artillery support. Offshore naval fire played a pivotal role in the Battle of Huế in February 1968, providing accurate fire in support of the U.S. counter-offensive to retake the city.[14]

Captured South Vietnamese warplanes in Ho Chi Minh City

The Vietnam War was the first conflict that saw wide scale tactical deployment of helicopters.[15] The Bell UH-1 Iroquois nicknamed "Huey" was used extensively in counter-guerilla operations both as a troop carrier and a gunship.[12] In the latter role it was outfitted with a variety of armaments including M60 machine guns, multi-barreled 7.62 mm Miniguns and unguided air-to-surface rockets.[12] The Hueys were also successfully used in MEDEVAC and search and rescue roles.[12] Two aircraft which were prominent in the war were the AC-130 "Spectre" Gunship and the UH-1 "Huey" gunship. The AC-130 was a heavily armed ground-attack aircraft variant of the C-130 Hercules transport plane; it was used to provide close air support, air interdiction and force protection. The AC-130H "Spectre" was armed with two 20 mm M61 Vulcan cannons, one Bofors 40mm autocannon, and one 105 mm M102 howitzer. The Huey is a military helicopter powered by a single, turboshaft engine, and approximately 7,000 UH-1 aircraft saw service in Vietnam. At their disposal ground forces had access to B-52 and F-4 Phantom II and others to launch napalm, white phosphorus, tear gas and chemical weapons as well.[16] The aircraft ordnance used during the war included precision-guided munition, cluster bombs, a thickening/gelling agent generally mixed with petroleum or a similar fuel for use in an incendiary device, initially against buildings and later primarily as an anti-personnel weapon that sticks to skin and can burn down to the bone.

The Claymore M18A1, an anti-personnel mine was widely used, and is command-detonated and directional shooting 700 steel pellets in the kill zone.

Weapons of the South Vietnamese, U.S., South Korean, Australian, and New Zealand Forces

Hand combat weapons

The KA-BAR knife was the most famous edged weapon of the war.

L1A1 and L1A2 bayonets - used on L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle[17]
M1905 bayonet - used on the M1 Garand.[18]
M1917 bayonet - used on various shotguns.[17]
M1 Bayonet - used on the M1 Garand.[18]
M3 fighting knife[19]
M4 bayonet - used on the M1 and M2 Carbine.[17]
M5 bayonet - used on the M1 Garand.[17]
M6 bayonet - used on the M14.[17]
M7 Bayonet - used on the M16.[17]
Ka-Bar Utility/fighting Knife - used by the US Army, Navy and Marine Corps.[20][21]
Gerber Mark II U.S. Armed Forces
Randall Made Knives - personally purchased by some US soldiers.[22]
M1905,M1917,M1 and Lee Enfield bayonets cut down and converted in to fighting knives.
Bow - used by US Mobile Riverine Force.[23]
Crossbow - used by South Vietnamese Montagnards[24]

Pistols and revolvers

Colt M1911A1 – standard US and ARVN sidearm.[25][26]
Colt Commander - used by US military officers and US Special forces.
Browning Hi-Power – used by Australian and New Zealand forces (L9 pistol).[27] Also used on an unofficial basis by US reconnaissance and Special Forces units.[28]
Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless – carried by US military officers. Replaced by the Colt Commander in the mid-1960s
Colt Detective Special - .38 Special revolver, used by some ARVN officers[26]
Colt Police Positive Special - .38 Special revolver, used by USAF and tunnel rats[29]
High Standard HDM – Integrally suppressed .22LR handgun, supplemented by the Mark 22 Mod 0 in the later stages of the war.[30]
Ingram MAC-10 – automatic pistol used by US special operations forces.[30]
Luger P08 - CIA provided pistol[31]
M1917 revolver – .45 ACP revolver[32] used by the South Vietnamese and US forces during the beginning of the war alongside the Smith & Wesson Model 10. Used rather prominently by tunnel rats.
Quiet Special Purpose Revolver - 40. revolver used by tunnel rats.
Smith & Wesson Model 10 – .38 Special revolver used by ARVN,[33] by US Army and USAF pilots[34] and by tunnel rats[29]
Smith & Wesson Model 12 – .38 Special revolver carried by US Army and USAF pilots.
Smith & Wesson Model 15 – .38 Special revolver carried by USAF Security Police Units.
Colt Python – .357 Magnum revolver carried by MACVSOG.
Smith & Wesson Model 27 – .357 Magnum revolver carried by MACVSOG.
Smith & Wesson Mark 22 Mod.0 "Hush Puppy" – Suppressed pistol used by US Navy SEALs and other U.S. special operations forces.[30]
Walther P38 - CIA provided pistol[31]

Infantry rifles

Vietnamese Rangers with M16 rifles in Saigon during the Tết Offensive

L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle – used by Australian and New Zealand soldiers in Vietnam[35]

A U.S. soldier with an M14 watches as supplies are dropped in Vietnam, 1967.

M1 Garand – used by the South Vietnamese[36] and South Koreans[37]
M1, M1A1, & M2 Carbine – used by the South Vietnamese Military, Police and Security Forces,[36] South Koreans,[38] U.S. military, and Laotians supplied by the U.S.

South Vietnamese People's Self-Defense Force militiawomen with M1 carbines

M14,M14E2,M14A1 - issued to most U.S. troops from the early stages of the war until 1967–68, when it was replaced by the M16.[38]
M16, XM16E1, and M16A1 – M16 was issued in 1964, but due to reliability issues, it was replaced by the M16A1 in 1967 which added the forward assist and chrome-lined barrel to the rifle for increased reliability.[39]
CAR-15 – carbine variant of the M16 produced in very limited numbers, fielded by special operations early on. Later supplemented by the improved XM177.
XM177 (Colt Commando)/GAU-5 – further development of the CAR-15, used heavily by MACV-SOG, the US Air Force, and US Army.[30]
Stoner 63 – used by US Navy SEALs and USMC.[30]
T223 – a copy of the Heckler & Koch HK33 built under license by Harrington & Richardson used in small numbers by SEAL teams. Even though the empty H&R T223 was 0.9 pounds (0.41 kg) heavier than an empty M16A1, the weapon had a forty-round magazine available for it and this made it attractive to the SEALS.[30]
MAS-36 rifle - used by South Vietnamese militias[40]
AK-47, AKM and Type 56 - Captured rifles were used by South Vietnamese[41] and U.S forces.[42][43]

Sniper/marksman rifles

M1C/D Garand and MC52 - used by CIA advisors, the USMC and the US Navy early in the war.[44][45] Approximately 520 were supplied to the ARVN and 460 to the Thai forces.[46]
M1903A4 Springfield – used by the USMC early in the war, replaced by the M40.[45]
M21 Sniper Weapon System – sniper variant of the M14 rifle used by the US Army.[47]
M40 (Remington Model 700)– bolt-action sniper rifle meant to replace the M1903A4 Springfield rifle and Winchester Model 70; used by the USMC[45]
Parker-Hale M82 - used by ANZAC forces[27]
Winchester Model 70 – used by the USMC[45]
Mosin Nagant - used by South Vietnamese militias

Submachine guns

Beretta M12 – limited numbers were used by U.S. Embassy security units.[48]
Carl Gustaf m/45 – used by Navy SEALs in the beginning of the war, but later replaced by the Smith & Wesson M76 in the late 1960s. Significant numbers were also utilized by the South Vietnamese,[30] and limited numbers were used in Laos by advisors, and Laotian fighters.
Smith & Wesson M76 – copy of the Carl Gustaf m/45. Few were actually shipped to Navy SEALs fighting in Vietnam.[49]
F1 submachine gun – replaced the Owen Gun in Australian service.[50][51]
M3 Grease gun – standard U.S. military submachine gun, also used by the South Vietnamese[30][52]
M50/55 Reising – limited numbers were used by MACVSOG and other irregular forces.[30]
Madsen M-50 – used by South Vietnamese forces, supplied by the CIA.[52]
MAS-38 submachine gun - used by South Vietnamese militias.[53]
MAT-49 submachine gun – used by South Vietnamese militias.[40] Captured models were used in limited numbers[30]
MP 40 submachine gun - used by South Vietnamese forces, supplied by the CIA.[52]
Owen Gun – standard Australian submachine-gun in the early stages of the war, later replaced by the F1.[50][51]
Sten submachine gun – used by US special operations forces, often with a suppressor mounted.[42]
Sterling submachine gun – used by Australian Special Air Service Regiment and other special operations units.[51]
Thompson submachine gun – used often by South Vietnamese troops, and in small quantities by US artillery and helicopter units.
Uzi – used by special operations forces and some South Vietnamese, supplied from Israel.[42]

Shotguns

Ithaca 37

Shotguns were used as an individual weapon during jungle patrol; infantry units were authorized a shotgun by TO&E (Table of Organization & Equipment). Shotguns were not general issue to all infantrymen, but were select issue weapons, such as one per squad, etc.

Ithaca 37 – pump-action shotgun used by the United States and ARVN.[30][54]
Remington Model 10 – pump-action shotgun used by the United States.[55]
Remington Model 11-48 - semi-automatic shotgun used by US Army.[56]
Remington Model 31 – pump-action shotgun used by the US Army, the SEALs and the ARVN.[56][57]
Remington Model 870 – pump-action shotgun primary shotgun used by Marines, Army and Navy after 1966.[30][56][58]
Remington 7188 – experimental select fire shotgun, withdrawn due to lack of reliability. Used by US Navy SEALs[30][59]
Savage Model 69E - pump-action shotgun used by the US Army.[34]
Savage Model 720 - semi-automatic shotgun.[60]
Stevens Model 77E – pump-action shotgun used by Army and Marine forces. Almost 70,000 Model 77Es were procured by the military for use in SE Asia during the 1960s.[61] Also very popular with the ARVN because of its small size.[62]
Stevens Model 520/620[54]
Winchester Model 1912 - used by USMC.[63]
Winchester Model 1200 – pump-action shotgun used by the US Army.[64]
Winchester Model 1897 – used by the Marines during the early stages of the war.[65]

Machine guns

M60 machine gun – standard General-purpose machine gun for US, ANZAC, and ARVN forces throughout the war.[50]

US Marine fires his M60 machine gun at an enemy position during the Battle of Huế.

Colt Machine Gun – experimental light machine gun deployed by SEAL Team 2 in 1970.[30]
M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle – used by the ARVN during the early stages of the war,[66] as well as many that were airdropped into Laos and used by Laotian fighters.
FM 24/29 light machine gun - used by South Vietnamese militias[40]
RPD machine gun (and Type 56) - captured and used by reconnaissance teams of Mobile Strike Forces, MAC-V-SOG and other special operation forces. Also commonly modified to cut down the barrel.[43]
Stoner M63A Commando & Mark 23 Mod.0 – used by Navy SEALs and tested by Force Recon.[30]
M134 Minigun - 7.62 mm vehicle mounted machine gun (rare)[67]
M1917 Browning machine gun – .30cal heavy machine gun issued to the ARVN and also in limited use by the U.S. Army.
M1919 Browning machine gun (and variants such as M37) – vehicle mounted machine gun.[68] Meanwhile, still of use by many South Vietnamese infantry.[27]
M73 machine gun – tank mounted machine gun.[68]
Browning M2HB .50cal Heavy Machine Gun[30]

Grenades and mines

Claymore anti-personnel mine in use in Vietnam

AN-M8 - white smoke grenade[69][70]
C4 explosive[71]
Mark 2 fragmentation grenade[72]
M1 smoke pot[71]
M26 fragmentation grenade and many subvariants[73][74]
M59 and M67 fragmentation grenade[75][76]
M6/M7-series riot control grenades[70] - Used to clear NVA/VC out of caves, tunnels and buildings[77] or stop a pursuer.[69]
AN/M14 TH3 thermite grenade - Incendiary grenade used to destroy equipment and as a fire-starting device.[69]
M15 and M34 smoke grenades - filled with white phosphorus,[22] which ignites on contact with air and creates thick white smoke.[69] Used for signalling and screening purposes, as well as an anti-personnel weapon in enclosed spaces, as the burning white phosphorus would rapidly consume any oxygen, suffocating the victims.
M18 grenade Smoke Hand Grenade - Signaling/screening grenade available in red, yellow, green, and purple.[78][69]
V40 Mini-Grenade[79]
OF 37 grenade and DF 37 grenade, French grenades used by the ARVN in the 1950s[80][81]
XM58 riot control grenade - A miniature riot control grenade used by MACVSOG and Navy SEALs.[77]
M14 mine - anti-personnel blast mine[22]
M15 mine - anti-tank mine[82]
M16 mine - bounding anti-personnel fragmentation mine[82]
M18/M18A1 Claymore - command-detonated directional anti-personnel mine[26][83]
M19 mine - anti-tank mine[82]

Grenade and Rocket Launchers

M1/M2 rifle grenade adapters - used to convert a standard fragmentation grenade (M1) or smoke grenade (M2) into a rifle grenade in conjunction with the M7 grenade launcher.
M7 and M8 rifle grenade launcher - rifle grenade launcher used with respectively the M1 Garand and the M1 carbine, used by the South Vietnamese. Could fire the M9 and M17 rifle grenades.[84]
M31 HEAT rifle grenade – Used primarily by the U.S. Army before the introduction of the M72 LAW. Fired from the M1 Garand and M14 Rifle.
M79 Grenade Launcher - primary U.S. grenade launcher used by all branches of the US military, as well as ANZAC forces and the ARVN.[30][84]
China Lake Grenade Launcher - pump action weapon used in very small numbers.[30]
XM148 - experimental underbarrel 40mm grenade launcher that could be attached to the M16 rifle or XM177 carbine. Withdrawn due to safety reasons.[30][84]
M203 grenade launcher - single-shot 40mm underslung grenade launcher designed to attach to a M16 rifle (or XM177 carbine, with modifications to the launcher). First tested in combat April 1969.[30][84]
Mark 18 Mod 0 grenade launcher - Hand-cranked, belt-fed, 40x46mm grenade launcher used by the US Navy.[85]
Mark 19 grenade launcher - Automatic, belt-fed, 46x53mm grenade launcher.[85]
Mk 20 Mod 0 grenade launcher - Automatic, belt-fed, 40x46mm grenade launcher. Primarily used by riverine crews but also used by Air Force Special Operations.[85]
XM174 grenade launcher - Automatic, belt-fed, 40x46mm grenade launcher used mainly by the US Army.[86]
Bazooka - The M9 variant was supplied to the ARVN during the early years of the war,[87] while the M20 "Super Bazooka" was used by the USMC and the ARVN until the full introduction of the M67 90mm recoilless rifle and of the M72 LAW.[88]
M72 LAW – 66mm anti-tank rocket launcher.[89]
XM202 - experimental four-shot 66mm incendiary rocket launcher.[90]
FIM-43 Redeye MANPADS (Man-Portable Air-Defence System) – shoulder-fired heat-seeking anti-air missile, used by the US Army and USMC.
BGM-71 TOW - wire-guided anti-tank missile[91]

Flamethrowers

M2A1-7 and M9A1-7 flamethrowers[92][93]

Infantry support weapons

A US soldier carries an M67 recoilless rifle past a burning Viet Cong base camp in Mỹ Tho, South Vietnam, 1968

M18 recoilless rifle - 57mm shoulder-fired/tripod mounted recoilless rifle, used by the ARVN early in the war.[94]
M20 recoilless rifle - 75mm tripod/vehicle-mounted recoilless rifle, used by US and ARVN forces early in the war.[95]
M67 recoilless rifle - 90mm shoulder-fired anti-tank recoilless rifle, used by the US Army, US Marine Corps, ANZAC and ARVN selected forces.[95][96][97]
M40 recoilless rifle 106mm tripod/vehicle-mounted recoilless rifle.[95][96]
M2 mortar - 60mm mortar, used in conjunction with the lighter but less accurate and lower-range M19 mortar.[98]
M19 mortar - 60mm mortar, used in conjunction with the older, heavier M2 mortar.[98][99]
Brandt Mle 27/31 - 81mm mortar, used by ARVN forces[100]
M1 mortar - 81mm mortar, used by ARVN forces.[100]
M29 mortar - 81mm mortar, used by US and ARVN forces.[100][101]
L16A1 mortar - 81mm, used by ANZAC forces.[50]
82-BM-37 - captured 82mm mortar, few used by USMC with US rounds.[102]
M30 mortar 107mm mortar, used by US and ARVN forces.[103][34]
- M98 Howtar, variant of the latter mounted on a M116 howitzer carriage.[104]

Artillery

Self-propelled Howitzer M109 in Vietnam

M55 quad machine gun - used to defend US Army bases and on vehicles[105][106]
Oerlikon 20 mm cannon - used on riverine crafts[107]
Bofors 40 mm gun - used on riverine crafts[107]
105 mm Howitzer M101A1/M2A1[108][105]
105 mm Howitzer M102[109][105]
155 mm Howitzer M114[105][110]
M53 Self-propelled 155mm gun[111]
M55 Self-propelled 8-inch howitzer[111]
M107 Self-propelled 175mm gun[105][112][113]
M108 Self-propelled 105 mm howitzer[105]
M109 Self-propelled 155 mm howitzer[114]
M110 Self-propelled 8-inch howitzer[105][112]
75mm Pack Howitzer M1
L5 pack howitzer 105 mm pack howitzer used by Australia[115] and New Zealand[116]
MIM-23 Hawk - medium-range surface to air missile used in very small quantities by the US Marines.[117]

Artillery ammunition types

HE (High Explosive) - standard artillery round.[118]
High-explosive anti-tank round - fired by 105mm guns.[118]
White phosphorus - used for screening or incendiary purposes.[118]
Smoke shells - used for screening.[118]
Leaflet shell - rarely used.[118]
Beehive flechette rounds - antipersonnel rounds.[119]
Improved Conventional Munition - antipersonnel shell with sub-munitions.[120]

Aircraft

(listed alphabetically by modified/basic mission code, then numerically in ascending order by design number/series letter)

A-1 Skyraider - ground attack aircraft[121]
A-3 Skywarrior - carrier-based bomber[122]
A-4 Skyhawk - carrier-based strike aircraft[123]
A-6 Intruder - carrier-based all weather strike aircraft[124]
A-7 Corsair II - carrier-based strike aircraft[125]
A-26 Invader - light bomber[126]
A-37 Dragonfly - ground attack aircraft[127]
AC-47 Spooky - gunship[128]
AC-119G "Shadow" - gunship[129]
AC-119K "Stinger" - gunship[129]
AC-130 "Spectre" - gunship[130]
AU-23 Peacemaker - ground attack aircraft
AU-24 Stallion - ground attack aircraft[131]
B-52 Stratofortress - heavy bomber[132]
B-57 Canberra - medium bomber[133]
Canberra B.20 - Royal Australian Air Force medium bomber[133]
C-1 Trader - cargo/transport aircraft
C-2 Greyhound - cargo/transport aircraft
C-5 Galaxy - strategic lift cargo aircraft[134]
C-7 Caribou - tactical cargo aircraft, used by the U.S. Air Force, the Royal Australian Air Force and the South Vietnamese Air Force[135]
C-46 Commando - cargo/transport aircraft[136]
C-47 - cargo/transport aircraft[128]
C-54 - transport aircraft[136]
C-97 Stratofreighter - cargo/transport aircraft
C-119 Boxcar - cargo/transport aircraft[129]
C-121 Constellation - transport aircraft[137]
C-123 Provider - cargo/transport aircraft[138]
C-124 Globemaster II - cargo/transport aircraft[139]
C-130 Hercules - cargo/transport plane[130]
C-133 Cargomaster - cargo/transport aircraft[140]
C-141 Starlifter - strategic cargo aircraft[141]
E-1 Tracer - carrier-based airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft[142]
E-2 Hawkeye - carrier-based airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft[142]
EA-3 Skywarrior - carrier-based tactical electronic reconnaissance aircraft[122]
EA-6B Prowler - carrier-based electronic warfare & attack aircraft[124]
EB-57 Canberra - tactical electronic reconnaissance aircraft[133]
EB-66 - tactical electronic reconnaissance aircraft[122]
EC-121 - radar warning or sensor relay aircraft[137]
EF-10 Skyknight - tactical electronic warfare aircraft[143]
EKA-3B Skywarrior - carrier-based tactical electronic warfare aircraft[122]
F-4 Phantom II - carrier and land based fighter-bomber[144]
F-5 Freedom Fighter - light-weight fighter used in strike aircraft role[145]
F8F Bearcat - piston fighter-bomber, used by the South Vietnamese Air Force until 1964.[146]
F-8 Crusader - carrier and land based fighter-bomber[147]
F-14 Tomcat - carrier-based fighter, made its combat debut during Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of Saigon, in April 1975.[148]
F-100 Super Sabre - fighter-bomber[149]
F-102 Delta Dagger - fighter[150]
F-104 Starfighter - fighter[150]
F-105 Thunderchief - fighter-bomber[151]
F-111 Aardvark - medium bomber[152]
HU-16 Albatross - rescue amphibian[153]
KA-3 Skywarrior - carrier-based tactical aerial refueler aircraft[122]
KA-6 Intruder - carrier-based tactical aerial refueler aircraft[124]
KB-50 Superfortress - aerial refueling aircraft
KC-130 Hercules - tactical aerial refueler/assault transport aircraft[154]
KC-135 Stratotanker - aerial refueling aircraft[155]
O-1 Bird Dog - light observation airplane[156]
O-2 Skymaster - observation aircraft[157]
OV-1 Mohawk - battlefield surveillance and light strike aircraft[158]
OV-10 Bronco - light attack/observation aircraft[159]
P-2 Neptune - maritime patrol aircraft[160]
P-3 Orion - maritime patrol aircraft[161]
P-5 Marlin - antisubmarine seaplane[162]
QU-22 Pave Eagle (Beech Bonanza) - electronic monitoring signal relay aircraft[161]
RA-3B Skywarrior - carrier-based tactical photographic reconnaissance aircraft[122]
RA-5C Vigilante - carrier-based tactical photographic reconnaissance aircraft[163]
RB-47 Stratojet - photographic reconnaissance aircraft[164]
RB-57 Canberra - tactical photographic reconnaissance aircraft[133]
RB-66 - tactical photographic reconnaissance aircraft[122]
RF-4 Phantom II - carrier and land-based tactical photographic reconnaissance aircraft[144]
RF-8 Crusader - carrier-based tactical photographic reconnaissance aircraft[147]
RF-101 Voodoo - tactical photographic reconnaissance aircraft[165]
RT-33A - reconnaissance jet[166]
S-2 Tracker - carrier-based anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft
SR-71 Blackbird - strategic reconnaissance aircraft[167]
TF-9J Cougar - fast forward air controller
T-28 Trojan - trainer/ground attack aircraft[168]
T-41 Mescalero - trainer aircraft[169]
U-1 Otter - transport aircraft[170]
U-2 - reconnaissance aircraft[171]
U-6 Beaver - utility aircraft[161]
U-8 Seminole - transport/electronic survey aircraft[170][172]
U-10 Helio Courier - utility aircraft[161]
U-17 Skywagon - utility aircraft[173]
U-21 Ute - liaison and electronic survey[170][172][174]
YO-3 Quiet Star - light observation airplane[175]

USS Garrett County at anchor in the Mekong Delta with two UH-1B Iroquois helicopters on deck

Helicopters

(listed numerically in ascending order by design number/series letter, then alphabetically by mission code)

UH-1 Iroquois "Huey" - utility transport and gunship helicopter[176][177]
AH-1G HueyCobra - attack helicopter[177]
AH-1J SeaCobra - twin-engine attack helicopter[177]
UH-1N Iroquois - twin-engine utility helicopter[178]
UH-2 Seasprite - carrier-based utility helicopter[179][180]
CH-3 Sea King - long-range transport helicopter[181]
HH-3 "Jolly Green Giant" - long-range combat search and rescue (CSAR) helicopter[181]
SH-3 Sea King - carrier-based anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter[181]
OH-6A Cayuse "Loach" (from LOH - Light Observation Helicopter) - light transport/observation (i.e. scout) helicopter[182][183]
OH-13 Sioux - light observation helicopter[176]
UH-19 Chickasaw - utility transport helicopter[176]
CH-21 Shawnee - cargo/transport helicopter[176]
OH-23 Raven - light utility helicopter[176]
CH-34 Choctaw - cargo/transport helicopter[176][184]
CH-37 Mojave - cargo/transport helicopter[176]
HH-43 Huskie - rescue helicopter[182][185]
CH-46 Sea Knight - cargo/transport helicopter[179][186]
CH-47 Chinook - cargo/transport helicopter[187][188]
CH-53 Sea Stallion - heavy-lift transport helicopter[179][189]
HH-53 "Super Jolly Green Giant" - long-range combat search and rescue (CSAR) helicopter[189]
CH-54 Tarhe "Sky Crane" - heavy lift helicopter[187][190]
OH-58A Kiowa - light transport/observation helicopter[182]

Aircraft ordnance

GBUs
CBUs
BLU-82 Daisy cutter
Napalm
Bomb, 250 lb, 500 lb, 750 lb, 1000 lb, HE (high explosive), general-purpose
Rocket, aerial, HE (High Explosive), 2.75 inch

Aircraft weapons

A minigun being fired from a combat search and rescue helicopter in Vietnam

M60D machine gun - 7.62mm (helicopter mount)[191]
Minigun - 7.62 mm (aircraft and helicopter mount)[192]
Colt Mk 12 cannon - 20 mm (aircraft mount)[193]
M3 cannon - 20 mm (aircraft mount)[194]
M39 cannon - 20 mm (aircraft mount)[149]
M61 Vulcan - 20 mm (aircraft mount),[192] M195 was used on AH-1[195]
M197 Gatling gun - 20 mm (used on AH-1J helicopters)[196]
M75 grenade launcher - 40 mm (helicopter mount)[197]
M129 grenade launcher - 40 mm (helicopter mount)[198]
AIM-4 Falcon[199]
AIM-7 Sparrow[200]
AIM-9 Sidewinder[200]
AGM-12 Bullpup[201]
AGM-22[202]
AGM-45 Shrike[203]
AGM-62 Walleye[204]
AGM-78 Standard ARM[151]
AGM-65 Maverick[205]

Chemical weapons

Rainbow Herbicides
Agent Orange – While developed to be used as a herbicide to destroy natural obstacles and tree camouflage, it was later revealed that it posed health risks to those exposed to it.[206]
Agent Blue - Used to destroy agricultural land that was believed to be used to grow food for the VC/NVA.
Agent White
Napalm[207]
CS-1 riot control agent - "Teargas", used in grenades, cluster bomblets or (rarely) shells.[208]
CN gas - "teargas"[209]

Vehicles

In addition to cargo-carrying and troop transport roles, many of these vehicles were also equipped with weapons and sometimes armor, serving as "gun trucks" for convoy escort duties.[210]

M274 Truck, Platform, Utility, 1/2 Ton, 4X4 - Commonly called a "Mechanical Mule".[211][212]
Land Rover (short and long wheelbase) – Australian and New Zealand forces.[213][214]
CJ-3B and M606 - 1/4 ton jeep[215]
Willys M38A1 - ¼ ton jeep.
M151 - ¼ ton jeep.[216][217][218]
Dodge M37 - 3/4 ton truck.[217]
Kaiser Jeep M715 - 1¼-ton truck.
M76 Otter - 1¼-ton amphibious cargo carrier used by USMC.[219]
M116 Husky - 1¼-ton amphibious cargo carrier tested by USMC.[220]
M733 Amphibious Personnel Carrier - tested by USMC.[220]
M35 series 2½-ton 6x6 cargo truck[221]
M135 2½-ton truck[221]
M54 5-ton 6x6 truck[222]
M548 - 6-ton tracked cargo carrier[223][224]
M520 Goer - 4x4 8-ton cargo truck.[225]
M123 and M125 10-ton 6x6 trucks[217]

Other vehicles

Caterpillar D7E bulldozer - used by US Army[226]
Various graders and bulldozers used by the USMC[227]
ERDLator[227]

Tanks

M24 Chaffee – light tank; main ARVN tank early in the war,[228] used at least as late as the Tet Offensive.
M41A3 Walker Bulldog – light tank, replaced the M24 Chaffee as the main ARVN tank from 1965.[229][230]
M48 Patton medium tank – main tank of the US Army and Marines[231] throughout the war, and also used by ARVN forces from 1971.[232][233]
M67 "Zippo" – flamethrower variant of the M48 Patton, used by USMC.[231]
M551 Sheridan – Armored Reconnaissance Airborne Assault Vehicle/Light Tank, used by the US Army from 1969.[234]
Centurion Mk 5 Main Battle Tank – used by the Australian Army,[235] with AVLB and ARV variants.[236]

Other armored vehicles

C15TA Armoured Truck - used by the ARVN early in the war[230]
LVTP5 (aka AMTRACs) - amphibious tractors/landing craft used by USMC[231][237] and later by RVNMD[233]
Lynx Scout Car Mk II - used by the ARVN[230]
M113 - APC (Armored Personnel Carrier)[238][232][239]
M113 ACAV - Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle[240]
M163 Vulcan - self-propelled anti-aircraft tank[241]
M114 - reconnaissance vehicle[237]
M132 Armored Flamethrower[242]
M106 mortar carrier[243]
M2 Half Track Car
M3 Scout Car - used by South Vietnamese forces early in the war.[244]
M3 Half-track - used by South Vietnamese forces early in the war.[244]
M5 Half-track
M9 Half-track
Cadillac Gage V-100 Commando - replaced ARVN M8 armored cars in 1967.[245] Also used by US forces as M706 Commando.[246]
M8 Greyhound Used by ARVN forces early in the war.[244]
M56 Scorpion - limited use in 1965-1966[247]
M50 Ontos - self-propelled 106 mm recoilless rifle carrier used by the USMC until 1969.[231][248]
M42 Duster - M41 based hull, with a twin 40 mm antiaircraft gun mounted on an open turret[238]
M728 Combat Engineer Vehicle - modified M60 Patton tank equipped with dozer blade, short-barreled 165mm M135 Demolition Gun, and A-Frame crane.[249]
M60 AVLB - armored vehicle launched bridge using M60 Patton chassis.[250][251]
M51 Armored Recovery Vehicle - fielded by US Marines.[231]
M578 light recovery vehicle[252]
M88 Recovery Vehicle - armored recovery vehicle based on M48 chassis.[253]
Wickums armored draisine used by the ARVN.[254]

Naval craft

Fast Patrol Craft

LCM-6 and LCM-8 - with several modifications:
- LCMs modified as a river monitors[255]
- Armored Troop Carrier[256]
- Command and Communication Boat (CCB)[256]
- other variants included helipad boats and tankers[256]
LCVP - Landing craft vehicle personnel, some made by the French Services Techniques des Construction et Armes Navales/France Outremer and known as FOM[256]
Swift Boat - Patrol Craft Fast (PCF)[257]
ASPB - assault support patrol boat[255]
PBR - Patrol Boat River, all-fiberglass boats propelled by twin water jets, used by the US Navy[255]
Hurricane Aircat - airboat used by ARVN and US Army[258]

Communications

Soldier using an AN/PRC-77 radio transceiver with the KY-38 secure voice encryptor (below), part of the NESTOR system

Radios

The geographically dispersed nature of the war challenged existing military communications. From 1965 to the final redeployment of tactical units, numerous communications-electronics systems were introduced in Vietnam to upgrade the quality and quantity of tactical communications and replace obsolete gear:

AN/PRT-4 and PRR-9 squad radios - replaced the AN/PRC-6.[259]
AN/PRC-6 and AN/PRC-10 - older short range radios, used for outposts[260][261]
AN/PRC-25 and 77 - short-range FM radios that replaced the AN/PRC-8-10.[262][263]
AN/VRC-12 series (VRC-43, VRC-45, VRC-46, VRC-47, VRC-48)[264] - FM radios that replaced the RT-66-67-68/GRC (including AN/GRC 3–8, VRC 7-10, VRC 20–22, and VRQ 1-3 sets).[259]
AN/GRC-106 - AM radios and teletypewriter that replaced the AN/GRC-19.[265]
TA-312 and TA-1 field telephones.[264]

Encryption systems

Encryption systems developed by the National Security Agency and used in Vietnam included:[266]

NESTOR - tactical secure voice system, including the TSEC/KY-8, 28 and 38 was used with the PRC-77 and VRC-12
KW-26 - protected higher level teletype traffic
KW-37 - protected the U.S. Navy fleet broadcast
KL-7 - provided offline security
A number of paper encryption and authentication products, including one time pads and the KAL-55B Tactical Authentication System[267]

Weapons of the PAVN/VC

The PAVN and the Southern communist guerrillas, the Viet Cong (VC) as they were commonly referred to during the war, largely used standard Warsaw Pact weapons. Weapons used by the PAVN also included Chinese Communist variants, which were referred to as CHICOM's by the US military. Captured weapons were also widely used; almost every small arm used by SEATO may have seen limited enemy use. During the early 1950s, US equipment captured in Korea was also sent to the Viet Minh.

Small arms

Vietcong guerrilla stands beneath a Vietcong flag carrying his AK-47 rifle.

A U.S. Army M.P. inspects a Soviet AK-47 recovered in Vietnam in 1968.

PAVN troops with PPSh-41

VC soldier with SKS