2003年の時点で開発中のラピッドエアボーンマインクリアランスシステム（RAMICS）は、武装サブシステム（およびヘリコプターにこれまで装着された最大のガンの1つ）と見なすことができます。その意図されたターゲットは厳密に海軍地雷です。 RAMKICSは、Mk 248 Mod 1装甲ピアスフィン安定化廃棄Sabot Tracer（APFSDS-T）ラウンドを発射する1個の改良Mk 44 Mod 0 30mm砲からなり、MH-60Sヘリコプターの機内に搭載することを目的としていました。そして関連するセンサーパッケージを使用して、比較的浅い深度で地雷を狙って無力化する。このシステムは、海軍空中地雷対策計画（AMCM）プログラム用に開発中の既存の方法やその他を補完する迅速で効果的な地雷除去能力を提供するように設計されています。[46][47]
システムは、ヘリコプターのOH-6シリーズにツインM60機関銃（未知のタイプ）を提供しました。両方の砲が一緒に搭載されていたのか、あるいはどちらの砲が航空機の両側に搭載されていたのかは不明です。 As of 1969 the system was listed with the comment "development suspended," likely in favor of the XM27.[3] This system was also tested on the YOH-5A during August 1964.[49]
The XM8 system provides a mount for one M129 40mm grenade launcher for either the OH-6 or OH-58 light observation helicopters. The system is provided with an XM70/E1 sight and 150 rounds of ammunition. The XM8's mount is interchangeable with the M27 system.[50]
This system could also be mounted on the OH-58 Kiowa, and was tested on the YOH-5A during August 1964.[49]
Schematic of the XM27 on the OH-6A helicopter
The M27 system provides a mount for one M134 7.62×51mm machine gun (Minigun) for either the OH-6 or OH-58 light observation helicopters. The system is provided with an XM70/E1 sight and a MAU-56/A delinking feeder with 2000 rounds of ammunition.[51] The system has no movement in azimuth, but has 10 degrees of elevation and 24 degrees of depression.[52]
The initial XM27 featured a mount similar to a gunpod, which was quickly exchanged for a more aerodynamic fairing, as well as improvements to the ammunition stowage and other equipment on the XM27E1.[53] The XM27E1 was standardized as the M27. The fairing was removed entirely because for ease of maintenance and to reduce weight on the M27E1. The M27's mount is interchangeable with the XM8 system.[54]
As with the XM8, this system can also be mounted on the OH-58 Kiowa.
Using a mount similar to that used on the XM8 and M27 series, the HGS-55 was developed by the McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company (formerly Hughes Helicopters) to use the EX 34 Mod 0 7.62×51mm chain gun.[55] The weapon is supplied with a 2,000-round magazine, and the weapon fires between 550 and 700 rounds per minute.[52] This system was not adopted by the US military for use, and no export sales were known to have been made.
OH-13 Sioux and OH-23 Raven[edit]
In service between 1960 and 1972, the XM1 consisted of two .30-caliber M37C machine guns mounted on the landing skids of either the OH-13 or OH-23 helicopter. These weapons were fixed forward, but flexible in elevation, with their ammunition (500 rounds per gun) stored externally. The XM1E1 was the product engineering design.[56]
Note: What would appear to have been a variant of the XM1 system was used by UTTHCO on their HU-1As (later UH-1A) for a short period.[57]
The M2 system was a variation on the XM1, replacing the .30-caliber M37C machine guns with 7.62×51mm NATO M60C machine guns. The mounts were similar to the XM1, also providing flexible elevation, with 650 rounds per gun stored externally.[3]
AH-58D/OH-58D Kiowa Warrior[edit]
Universal Weapons Pylon and Gun Pod
The Universal Weapons Pylon is specific to the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter, and provides two support racks for various weapon systems. The racks, with stores mounted, may be folded 180 degrees upward for rapid loading into the C-130 transport aircraft, though the connecting umbilicals must be disconnected to prevent damage.[58]
There are at least ten authorized armament configurations, which involve a mix of a system specific gun pod mounting the M296 .50 caliber machine gun (left side only), the M260 7-shot 2.75in/70mm Lightweight Launcher (LWL), the M279 2-rail AGM-114 Hellfire launcher, or a 2-shot Air-to-Air Stinger (ATAS) launcher.[59] The gun pod is fed from a semi-external magazine loaded with 500 rounds of linked ammunition.[60]
MH-65C Dolphin and MH-68A Stingray[edit]
Airborne Use of Force (AUF) Package
The US Coast Guard has deployed the MH-68A to its newly created Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON), and it is the only helicopter in USCG inventory specifically tasked with the Airborne Use of Force (AUF) mission. These helicopters feature a defensive armament system composed of a single M240G mounted at the port cabin door, along with a Robar Arms RC-50 rifle attached to the cabin via a bungee cord for disabling hostile light vessels.[61] The kit is also capable of being used on the HH-65C aircraft. When so fitted the aircraft is designated MH-65C.
Armament sub-systems for dedicated gunships[edit]
Schematic of the XM28, with XM129 grenade launcher on the right station and M134 machine gun on the left station, on the AH-1G helicopter
AH-1 Cobra[edit]
M28 Series (Emerson TAT-141)
The standard fixed armament for the AH-1G, AH-1P (formerly referred to as AH-1S Production), AH-1Q, and initial AH-1S models, this turret unit is similar to the XM64 mentioned later in this section, but was capable of mounting two M134 Miniguns, two M129 40 mm grenade launchers, or one of each weapon. Miniguns fitted are capable of pre-set firing rates of either 2,000 or 4,000 RPM, while the turret itself has 114 degrees of motion left or right, 17.5 degrees of elevation and 50 degrees of depression[62] (alternate sources describe 110 degrees in azimuth, 20 degrees of elevation and 50 degrees of depression for the M28E1 model specifically[63]). Each Minigun is linked to 4,000 rounds of ammunition while each grenade launcher is fed from a 300-round magazine.[63]
The system is known to have four standard A variants, the M28/A1-A3. However, the actual specifics between variants is vague. From the available information suggests that specific variants were mated to specific iterations of the AH-1 helicopter. The initial XM28/M28 were fitted to the AH-1G, as were the M28E1/M28A1. The M28A1E1/M28A2 was fitted to the AH-1Q, while the M28A3 (no developmental variation known) was fitted to the AH-1P/S helicopter.[64][65] There is the possibility that the M28A2 could have been the first unit designed to work with the XM128/M128 Helmet Sight System (HSS) developed primarily for use with TOW armed AH-1s.[65]
An armament subsystem providing a single M195 20 mm cannon on the port inboard pylon of the AH-1G. 950 rounds of ammunition were stored in boxes faired to the side of the aircraft. The system was primarily pilot controlled, but featured dual controls to be either pilot or gunner controlled. For this purpose the pilot was provided with a M73 sight.[66][67][68]
Schematic of the Emerson TAT-102A on the AH-1G helicopter
The TAT-102A (Tactical Armament Turret-102A) was the initial main armament for the AH-1G helicopter, though designed as an interim measure.[69] It is related to the TAT-101 mentioned in the UH-1 entry. The turret mounts a single M134 Minigun with 25 degrees of elevation, 90 degrees of depression, and 180 degrees of motion in azimuth, with a slew rate of 80 degrees per second.[70] The TAT-102A was designated XM64 by the US Army.[71]
The Cobra Missile System is a functional development of the XM26 and the TOW missile system developed for the failed AH-56 helicopter. Originally designed for the AH-1Q and AH-1S Cobras, the AH-1F Modernized Cobra was also rebuilt to use the system. The original iteration of the system comprises launchers allowing for four BGM-71 TOW missiles per aircraft pylon to be carried, and a TSU or Telescopic Sight Unitto allow for targeting and guidance of the missile. The TSU has been upgraded with the LAAT (Laser-Augmented Airborne TOW)a day/night range finder, and C-NITE (Cobra-Night Imaging Thermal Equipment)a thermal imagine/FLIR system specifically for the AH-1S and AH-1F Cobra helicopters.[71]
M97 Series and A/A49E-7 (GE Universal Turret)
The standard fixed armament system for the US Army's AH-1S Upgunned Cobra (eventually redesignated AH-1E Enhanced Cobra Armament System or ECAS) and the AH-1S Modernized Cobra (eventually redesignated the AH-1F), as well as, the US Marine Corps' AH-1J, AH-1T, AH-1W, and AH-1Z helicopters. The system was designed to fit either the M197 20 mm three barreled cannon or the XM188 30 mm three barreled cannon. In practice the M197 was the standard fit and the XM188 was not adopted for service. The turret has 110 degrees of motion in azimuth, 21 degrees of elevation, and 50 degrees of depression, with a slew rate in azimuth of 80 degrees per second and in elevation and depression of 60 degrees per second.[63][72]
As with the M28 series, the specifics between variants of the M97 are vague. Five Standard A models are known to exist, M97/A1-A4. Sources suggest that individual variants of the turret were specific to certain variants of the AH-1 as with the M28 series. The M97A1 (and possibly the M97) was fitted to the AH-1S Upgunned Cobra, the M97A2/A3 to the AH-1S Modernized Cobra (AH-1F), and the M97A4 to production AH-1Fs.[73] Other sources say that the M97A3 was refitted to AH-1E ECAS and the M97A2 was the initial armament for the AH-1S Modernized Cobra, agreeing that the M97A1 was the original fit to the AH-1S Upgunned Cobra.[74] There is also the possibility that the differences have something to do with the associated equipment for the M197 cannon, including the use of the M89 or M89E1 delinking feeder.[75]
The M97 was also fitted to the AH-1J, but it is unclear if the AH-1T, AH-1W, and AH-1Z used variants of the M97 series. The subsystem used on the AH-1T and AH-1W has a designation in the USAF's Aeronautical and Support Equipment Type Designation System (ASETDS), A/A49E-7.[76] The turret in the system is also designated under the ASETDS system, as the GTU-1/A.[77] How this system differs from its US Army counterparts is unknown. An amendment to the official Military Specification, MIL-F-85668(AS), put out by the United States Naval Air Systems Command on 15 November 1995, actually listed the "A/A49E-7(V4)" as inactive pending a new design, and listed the system as relevant only to the "AH-1T (TOW)."[78][79]
A competing universal turret design to the M97 put forward by Emerson Electric, the XM120 could be fitted with a number of weapons including the M60C 7.62×51mm machine gun, M134 Minigun, M197 20 mm three barreled cannon, XM188 30 mm three barreled cannon, and was in fact tested with the XM140 30 mm cannon.[27][80]
AH-56 Cheyenne[edit]
XM52 Armament Subsystem on the AH-56A helicopter
XM53 Armament Subsystem on the AH-56A helicopter
The Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne got no further than operational testing of the ten prototypes before the program was cancelled.
XM51
A nose turret with one M129 40 mm grenade launcher with 300 rounds. In light of the cancellation of the AH-56 was proposed as a replacement for the M5 system on the UH-1 helicopter. Designed to be interchangeable with the XM53.[68]
XM52
Belly turret with a single XM140 30 mm cannon. Use on other helicopters was also debated.[68]
XM53
A nose turret with one 7.62×51mm XM196 machine gun. Also said to be suitable for the UH-1 series of helicopters. Designed to be interchangeable with the XM51.[68]
AH-64 Apache[edit]
M139 and Area Weapon Subsystem
The only type classified subsystem for the AH-64 series, the M139 is composed of the Aerial Rocket Control System (giving the aircraft the ability to fire members of the Hydra 70/Mk 66 2.75 in/70 mm rocket family), a dispenser interface (controlling the M130 chaff/flare dispenser, also used on the AH-1 helicopter), and the Area Weapon Subsystem.[81]
The Area Weapon Subsystem is made up of a single M230 30 mm cannon, turret and assembly, ammunition feed, and other electronic components for the functioning of the system.[81] The unit is capable of 100 degrees of motion in azimuth left or right, 11 degrees of elevation and 60 degrees of depression, and feeds from an ammunition magazine with 1,200 rounds.[82]
RAH-66 Comanche[edit]
Turreted Gun System (TGS)
The RAH-66 Comanche was intended to have a gun system designed jointly by Boeing and Sikorsky. The system was to use the XM301 lightweight gun, and fed linked ammunition from a 500-round storage drum. The turret itself had 120 degrees of movement in azimuth, with 15 degrees of elevation and 45 degrees of depression. The TGS was supposed to be ready for deployment with the Comanche helicopter during the FY04 period, but the cancellation of the Comanche ended further development of this system.[83]
References[edit]
Citations[edit]
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^ abcdUS Army TACOM-RI. 5 October 2005 U.S. Army Helicopter Weapon Systems (Page 1 of 2) Archived 5 September 2010 at the Wayback Machine. Access Date: 7 May 2007
^ abcdefghijklUnited States, 1969. p. B-1
^Squieler, 1966. p. 1
^United States, 1965. p. 2
^Mutza, 2004. p. 25
^ abcdDrendel, 1974. p. 8
^Mutza, 2004. p. 22
^ abMutza, 2004. p. 41
^Mutza, 2004. p. 24
^Mesko, 1984. p. 53
^Mutza, 2004. p. 67
^United States, 1969. p. B-2
^Mutza, 2004. p. 26
^ abcdeUS Army TACOM-RI. 5 October 2005 U.S. ARMY HELICOPTER WEAPON SYSTEMS (Page 2 of 2). Access Date: 7 May 2007
^Gervasi, 1984. p. 242
^Drendel, 1974. p. 12
^United States, 1993. p. 11-1-8
^Mutza, 2004. p. 59
^Mutza, 2004. p. 52
^ abcGervasi, 1984. p. 243
^Gunston, 1988. p. 189
^ abParsch, Andreas. Designation-Systems.net 23 November 2006 A/Annx Equipment Listing. Access Date: 30 May 2007
^Federation of American Scientists 23 April 2000 BRU-20/A, -21/A, -22/A and -23/A Bomb Ejector Racks Access Date: 30 May 2007
^Mutza, 2004. p. 47
^Mutza, 2004. p. 51
^ abGervasi, 1984. p. 240
^Mutza, 2004. pp. 47, 49
^"The 20 Special Operations Squadron The Green Hornets 1944–1994"
^ abUnited States, 1974. p. A-39
^Morgan, 1998. p. 35
^United States, 1982. p. 4-81
^United States, 1982. p. 4–83-5
^US Army TACOM-RI. 24 February 2006 HISTORIC U.S. ARMY HELICOPTERS Archived 25 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Access Date: 7 May 2007
^Mesko, 1984. p. 8
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^Lundh, 1998. p. 48
^Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Department of the Navy (2010). CH-46E Naval Aviation Technical Information Product (NATIP). Chapter 1: NAVAIR.
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^Preliminary Airworthiness Evaluation of the UH-60A/ESSS with Hellfire Launcher Installed
^Jenkins, Alan K. National Defense Industrial Association. 27 March 2003. The RAPID AIRBORNE MINE CLEARANCE SYSTEM (RAMICS) Approach to Entering Flight Test. Access Date: 23 June 2007
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^Jane's, 1986. pp. 453–54
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