Fire Control Trailer M243 US

The M243 Fire Control Platform Trailer was an early warning component of the M33 Anti-Aircraft Fire Control System used by Canada and other NATO countries in the 1950s.

The M243 carried the Acquisition Antenna Assembly, which the Canadian Artillery deployed on a large tripod and fed data directly to the M242 Fire Control Mount Trailer (located beside the M1A2 gun). The radar provided comprehensive area coverage, allowing threatening aircraft to be tracked by the M242 radar and then targeted by artillery units. 

In addition to the M1A2 90mm gun, the M33 system was the fire-control system for the Ajax missile. The M33 system was retired when the M1A2 90mm went out of service. The CF used this example to conduct trials of the CL-89 drone in Shilo from 1968 to 1970. 

Radar Range: 28,000 yards (25,600 metres)

Detachment: 3 fire control trailers, generator trailer, 4 towing vehicles, light truck and 10 Gunners