The M167 Vulcan is a U.S.-origin towed short-range air-defense gun built around the 20 mm M168 six-barrel rotary cannon, a carriage-mounted adaptation of the Vulcan family for close-in defense against aircraft and ground targets. U.S. records place M-167 guns with coalition forces during Desert Shield and Desert Storm, while Yemen imagery shows Houthi forces using captured guns on improvised vehicle mounts as mobile direct-fire weapons.
U.S.-led coalition forces fielded M-167 20 mm Vulcan anti-aircraft guns in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, including 3rd Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery loading activity and an M-998 convoy towing an M-167 on February 24, 1991.
Role detailsHouthi forces used captured M167 Vulcan guns during the 2014 Yemen Civil War, including examples mounted on Toyota Hilux technicals, an M54-series truck, and a BTR-152; reporting assessed their main observed use as ground fire against coalition-backed forces while retaining limited short-range air-defense utility.
Role detailsThe M167A1 manual identifies the towed Vulcan as a carriage-mounted system whose main elements combine a rotary cannon, optical sight, range radar, and 20x102 mm ammunition family.
| Element | Function | Documented relationship |
|---|---|---|
| M168 20 mm cannon | Primary weapon | The manual lists the M168 cannon as the core gun component of the M167A1. |
| M61 sight and AN/VPS-2 radar | Fire-control aids | The sight and range radar support lead-angle calculation for aerial targets, while ground mode can be used without radar cueing. |
| 20x102 mm ammunition | Fired cartridges | Listed rounds include M246-series high-explosive incendiary tracer self-destruct ammunition for aerial targets, M56-series high-explosive incendiary rounds, M220 practice tracer, M55A2 practice, and M51A2 dummy rounds. |
The M167 Vulcan family covers the U.S. towed VADS baseline, later PIVADS fire-control updates, and South Korean licensed or locally upgraded Vulcan configurations documented in later reporting.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| M167A1 | U.S. towed VADS configuration | The M167A1 operator manual documents the M168 cannon, M61 sight, AN/VPS-2 radar set, M42A1 carriage, and 20x102 mm ammunition family. Sources: TM 9-1005-286-10 Operator's Manual for Gun, Air Defense Artillery, Towed, 20-mm, M167A1 |
| M167A2 PIVADS | Product-improved fire-control variant | The M167A2 PIVADS modified the M167A1 with an improved fire-control subsystem, including a director-reticle sight, digital processor, harmonic-drive azimuth assembly, and built-in electronics test equipment. Sources: M167A2 VADS Basis of Issue Plan |
| South Korean Vulcan configurations | Licensed and upgraded ROK VADS family | Reporting on South Korean Vulcan upgrades describes towed M167A3-family and K263A1 self-propelled derivatives receiving thermal-imaging sights from 2019; exact KM167 naming varies in open secondary references. Sources: South Korea Installing Thermal Sights On Its Vulcan Anti-Aircraft Guns For Good Reason |
The M167 is a ground air-defense member of the wider Vulcan rotary-cannon family rather than a standalone gun design.
| Compatible item | Item type | Compatibility evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | 20 mm Vulcan cannon family | GlobalSecurity and Army manuals describe the M167 VADS around the M168 20 mm rotary cannon, a ground air-defense adaptation of the M61 Vulcan family. Sources: M163 / M167 VADS Vulcan Air Defense System, TM 9-1005-286-10 Operator's Manual for Gun, Air Defense Artillery, Towed, 20-mm, M167A1 |
The towed VADS used the 20x102 mm Vulcan ammunition family, with later ammunition sources tying the M167/PIVADS chain to specific cartridge developments.
| Ammunition | Ammunition type | Firing evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | 20x102 mm multi-purpose tracer self-destruct cartridge | General Dynamics says the M940 MPT-SD was developed and qualified for the M163 self-propelled and M167 towed VADS/PIVADS and lists compatibility with M168 and M61 20 mm gun systems. Sources: General Dynamics M940 MPT-SD |
Yemen reporting documents captured M167 guns adapted to vehicles for mobile fire support.
| Carrier | Carrier type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Improvised pickup-truck gun platform | The War Zone reported Houthi forces using Toyota Hilux technicals fitted with captured M167 Vulcan guns during the 2014 Yemen Civil War. Sources: Houthi Rebels In Yemen Have Technical Trucks Armed With Vulcan Cannons |
 | Improvised armored gun carrier | The War Zone also documented a Soviet-era BTR-152 carrying a captured M167 Vulcan gun in Houthi service. Sources: Houthi Rebels In Yemen Have Technical Trucks Armed With Vulcan Cannons |
WeaponSystems.net places the M167 Vulcan's U.S. service entry and production start in 1967.
Sources: M167 Vulcan
The U.S. Army M167A1 operator's manual documented the towed gun's M168 cannon, M61 sight, M42A1 carriage, AN/VPS-2 radar set, mobility, and operating procedures.
Sources: TM 9-1005-286-10 Operator's Manual for Gun, Air Defense Artillery, Towed, 20-mm, M167A1
The M167A2 PIVADS upgrade modified the M167A1 with an improved fire-control subsystem using a director-reticle sight, digital processor, harmonic-drive azimuth assembly, and built-in electronics test equipment.
Sources: M167A2 VADS Basis of Issue Plan
WeaponSystems.net lists 1994 as the end of U.S. M167 service, before later sightings with export operators and captured stocks.
Sources: M167 Vulcan
Oryx listed 20 mm M167 guns in pre-war Yemeni inventory, and TWZ later reported that Houthi forces had captured M167 examples as early as 2015.
Sources: Handbook Of Pre-War Yemeni Fighting Vehicles, Houthi Rebels In Yemen Have Technical Trucks Armed With Vulcan Cannons
TWZ reported a January 2017 Houthi video from Taiz and July 2018 Lahij imagery showing Vulcan guns mounted on technicals and other vehicles.
Sources: Houthi Rebels In Yemen Have Technical Trucks Armed With Vulcan Cannons
DVIDS documented Republic of Korea Marines preparing to fire an M167 Vulcan during Warrior Shield 24 at Daecheon Firing Range with U.S. Marines from 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion.
Sources: U.S. and ROK Marines conduct combined live fire
