The Air Force desperately needed a new gunship to replace the vulnerable and underpowered AC-47 in supporting "Troops In Contact" (known as TIC), as well as, supplementing the AC-130 in attacking targets on the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Furthermore, the C-130 airframe was in active service as a transport, vital to the war effort in Southeast Asia. The newer AC-130s that had been created under Project Gunship II were effective, but were being mostly used for interdiction of the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
The AC-119 program (Project Gunship III) came after the AC-130, not before.īy late 1967, the idea of the fixed-wing gunship had been proven so successful that the United States Air Force was having a difficult time keeping up with demand. They replaced the inadequate AC-47 Spooky and supplemented the newer AC-130. The Fairchild AC-119G Shadow and AC-119K Stinger were twin-engine piston-powered gunships developed by the United States during the Vietnam War. The plane carried 24,000 rounds of minigun ammunition and flares, which it could drop to light up the battleground. Coverage given by a Spooky was over an elliptical area approximately 52 yd (47.5 m) in diameter, placing a round every 2.4 yd (2.2 m) during a 3-second burst. It could orbit the target for hours providing suppressing fire. Its primary function was close air support for ground troops. The guns were actuated by a control on the pilot's yoke, where he could control the guns either individually or together, though gunners were also among the crew to assist with gun failures and similar issues. Other armament configurations could also be found on similar C-47 based aircraft around the world. 30 in (7.62 mm) General Electric miniguns to fire through two rear window openings and the side cargo door, all on the left (pilot's) side of the aircraft.
#FLARES IN GUNSHIP III TV#
Low-light TV operator, infrared detection set operator, five aerial gunners)ġ - The AC-130H was initially fitted with the 2 M61 20mm cannons, but these were eventually removed following greater emphasis on the stand off range afforded by the 40mm and 105mm weapons.The AC-47 was a United States Air Force C-47 Skytrain (the military version of the DC-3) that had been modified by mounting three. AN/QRC-84-02 infrared countermeasures systemġ4 (pilot, co-pilot, navigator, fire control officer, AN/ALQ-172 Electronic Countermeasure System AN/ALE-47 flare and chaff dispensing system AN/AAQ-24 Directional Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM) AC-130H Spectreġ,300 nautical miles (Unlimited with mid-air refueling) These were, however, generally not fitted. AC-130E Spectreġ4 (pilot, copilot, navigator, fire control officer,įorward looking infrared operator, illuminator operator,Įlectronic warfare officer, flight engineer, loadmaster,ġ - The AC-130E Pave Spectre aircraft could be fitted with 2 GAU-2B/A 7.62mm machine guns, capable of being installed in 2 hours.
#FLARES IN GUNSHIP III UPDATE#
4x Allison T56-A-1, -1A, or -9 turbopropsģ,750 horsepower (-1, -1A) or 4,200 horsepower (-9)ġ - The sole "Suprise Package" aircraft, the Update AC-130A aircraft, and the AC-130A Pave Pronto aircraft, could all be fitted with 2 GAU-2B/A 7.62mm machine guns, capable of being installed in 2 hours.
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