USAF HERCULES GUNSHIPS

摘要

The United States Air Force's gunship capability dates back to the 1960s. After experimenting with the installation of laterally-fired weapons on a modified Convair C-131 in 1964, the US Air Force (USAF) carried out additional testing of a modified Douglas C-47B. The success of those trials resulted in the deployment of more than 50 operational AC-47 gunships from 1965. Development of a larger, more capable gunship followed, and testing of a modified Lockheed JC-130A began as part of the 'Gunship II' project in 1967 In support of the Vietnam War no fewer than 30 C-130As, JC-130As and C-130Es were modified for the close air support (CAS) mission.