Development and employment of fixed-wing gunships 1962-1972 PDF Download

Author:
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
ISBN: 1428993649
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 342

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Author: Wayne Mutza
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781580071543
Category : Attack helicopters
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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U.S. Army aviators pioneered the first helicopter gun platforms in the early 1950s. Today, helicopter gunships are the most unique element of rotary-wing aviation, redefining the term "close air support." As the ultimate development of the military helicopter, these largely U. S.-designed-and-built aircraft reign supreme as the premier attack platforms of modern aerial warfare. Helicopter Gunships begins with the Vietnam War as the ultimate proving ground that first utilized helicopter gunships and saw the development of other rotary-wing weapons systems as well. This book also explores fascinating post-war programs like the experimental Comanche, Blackhawk, and Apache. Through in-depth research and exclusive high-quality photos, noted author and helicopter expert Wayne Mutza examines in vivid detail the numerous weapon systems mated with a surprisingly wide variety of helicopters. Attention is also given to helicopter gunships developed by other Free World countries and Communist nations.

Author: William P. Head
Publisher: Texas A&M University Press
ISBN: 1603445072
Category : AC-119 (Gunship)
Languages : en
Pages : 354

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Nicknamed ""the truck killer,"" the AC-119K gunship and its counterpart, the AC-119G, were developed in the late 1960s in response to the needs of the US military in Vietnam. This book examines the evolution of these aircraft and their role within Vietnam, military policy, and geopolitical realities.

Author: Jack S. Ballard
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Gunships (Military aircraft)
Languages : en
Pages : 342

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Author: Wayne Mutza
Publisher: Specialty Press (MN)
ISBN: 9781580071239
Category : AC-119 (Gunship)
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Gunships: The Story of Spooky, Shadow, Stinger, and Spectre tells the dramatic story of transforming military cargo transports into deadly ground-attack aircraft used by the U.S. and other countries in worldwide conflicts from the Vietnam War to the Middle East today. This comprehensive and detailed accounting of gunships begins with piston-powered, WWII-era C-47s and progresses to the four-engine turboprop C-130 Hercules, showing how gunships evolved from using 20mm miniguns to 105mm Howitzers with digital-age Battle Management Centers housed onboard. These highly effective airplanes made history by removing the safe haven of night operations from the enemy, and allowing strategic victory that might not have otherwise been possible. Author Wayne Mutza not only carefully researched all of these aircraft and their paths to reality, but also tells the tale of the brave and persevering men who believed in this unique weapon system and who saw its development through to the end. This book features a wealth of outstanding color photographs, many of which have never before been published, and also contains detailed appendices documenting gunship production data, combat units, and aircraft losses.

Author: Peter E. Davies
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1472845137
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 81

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Often described as the US Army's aerial jeep the UH-1 Iroquois ('Huey') was the general-purpose vehicle that provided mobility in a hostile jungle environment which made rapid troop movement extremely challenging by any other means. Hueys airlifted troops, evacuated casualties, rescued downed pilots, transported cargo externally and enabled rapid transit of commanders in the field. Although 'vertical aviation' had only become a practical reality during the Korean War helicopters evolved rapidly in the decade before Vietnam and by 1965 the US Army and US Marines relied on them as primary combat tools. This was principally because North Vietnam's armed forces had long experience of jungle operations, camouflage and evasion. Generally avoiding set-piece pitched battles they relied on rapid, frequent strikes and withdrew using routes that were generally inaccessible to US vehicles. They commonly relied on darkness and bad weather to make their moves, often rendering them immune to conventional air attack. Gunship helicopters, sometimes equipped with Firefly searchlights and early night vision light intensifiers, were more able to track and attack the enemy. Innovative tactics were required for this unfamiliar combat scenario and for a US Army that was more prepared for conventional operations in a European-type setting. One of the most valuable new initiatives was the UH-1C 'Huey Hog' or 'Frog' gunship, conceived in 1960 and offering more power and agility than the UH-1B that pioneered gunship use in combat. Heavily armed with guns and rockets and easily transportable by air these helicopters became available in large numbers and they became a major problem for the insurgent forces throughout the war. Covering fascinating details of the innovations in tactics and combat introduced by gunship helicopters, this book offers an analysis of their adaptability and usefulness in a variety of operations, while exploring the insurgent forces' responses to the advent of 'vertical aviation'.

Author: William Wolf
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1472844599
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 81

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The XB-40 and XB-41 were secret, little-known experimental modifications of the B-17F and B-24D, respectively, into heavily-armed bomber gunships sometimes referred to as “bomber escorters”. They were developed during early World War II in response to the lack of a USAAF long-range fighter aircraft able to escort and protect regular B-17 formations making the round trip from Britain deep into Germany. Using many formerly-classified documents from his large microfilm collection, William Wolf presents their previously-unpublished history. It describes in depth for the first time the politics and development and associated problems of both escorter types. Unfortunately, these “protecters” were found wanting in several ways - after the addition of guns and ammunition they became overweight and tail-heavy causing center of gravity problems and each encountered numerous delays in the development and delivery of their various armament additions and improvements, particularly the Bendix chin turret. In the end, the YB-40 participated in only 14 lackluster operational service test missions during mid-1943 before being withdrawn from service. The XB-41 Liberator never saw operational testing before also being cancelled for its poor performance. The failure of the gunship concept left a huge hole in the capabilities of the Eighth Air Force. Their failure, however, spurred the adoption of the Merlin-powered P-51 Mustang, the outstanding escort fighter that was key to Allied victory in the air war over Europe.

Author: Larry Davis
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 70

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Book Description
Captioned photos, and brief text describe the tactics, equipment, and gunship aircraft most used in tactical interdiction.

Author: United States. Congress. House. Committee on Armed Services
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : United States
Languages : en
Pages : 2790

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Author: Gilad James, PhD
Publisher: Gilad James Mystery School
ISBN: 1612009433
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 22

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Kiribati is a small, low-lying island nation located in the central Pacific Ocean. It spans an area of approximately 3.5 million square kilometers and consists of 33 atolls and islands, with the majority of its land area located less than two meters above sea level. Due to its vulnerability to rising sea levels and the devastating impacts of climate change, Kiribati has been described as a bellwether for the impacts of global warming on low-lying island nations. The population of Kiribati is estimated to be around 119,500, with the majority of the population living on the main island of South Tarawa. Kiribati is a diverse nation, with a varied cultural heritage and a mix of Christianity and traditional beliefs. Its economy is largely based on subsistence agriculture and fishing, although the government has recently introduced policies aimed at attracting foreign investment and developing industries such as tourism and mining. Kiribati has also faced numerous challenges, including the loss of land to erosion, overfishing, and limited access to healthcare and education.