Technology used in the Vietnam War
The Vietnam War saw the introduction of many new and very useful technological advances. Weapons, ammunition, aircraft, vehicles, and tactics all saw major improvements over the Korean War and World War Two.
The Vietnam War was the first war in which the U.S. army used the M16 platform as a standard for infantry. In previous wars, the M14 was used, and was heavier and slowed soldiers down. Soldiers had also begun using more cost-efficient ammunition. Instead of shooting the larger and more powder-hungry 7.62mm bullet, they shot 5.56mm bullets. This allowed soldiers to carry more ammunition and saved the U.S. money on bullets, powder, and casings.
Soldiers also began carrying personell detectors, which would detect ammonia in the air. The ammonia, however, was not specific to people, but rather just living organisms. This would help in that it would detect dogs, but it would hurt in that many water buffalo were mistaken for people, and could interrupt plans or cause alarm when it was not necessary.
Helicopters also became an integral part of the U.S. Army. They were used in the Korean War for medical purposes, but not much else. It was only in the Vietnam War that they began being armed and doing other tasks to help ground troops.
The Vietnam War was the first war in which the U.S. army used the M16 platform as a standard for infantry. In previous wars, the M14 was used, and was heavier and slowed soldiers down. Soldiers had also begun using more cost-efficient ammunition. Instead of shooting the larger and more powder-hungry 7.62mm bullet, they shot 5.56mm bullets. This allowed soldiers to carry more ammunition and saved the U.S. money on bullets, powder, and casings.
Soldiers also began carrying personell detectors, which would detect ammonia in the air. The ammonia, however, was not specific to people, but rather just living organisms. This would help in that it would detect dogs, but it would hurt in that many water buffalo were mistaken for people, and could interrupt plans or cause alarm when it was not necessary.
Helicopters also became an integral part of the U.S. Army. They were used in the Korean War for medical purposes, but not much else. It was only in the Vietnam War that they began being armed and doing other tasks to help ground troops.