Bravehardt
0099 Lockheed AC-130A Hercules M-102 105mm Cannon
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules was originally designed as an assault transport capable of operating from unpaved,hadtily preparde airstrips.On August 23,1953,the Lockheed C-130 Hercules made its first flight.By 1976 more than 1,200 Lockheed C-130 Herculces had been ordered,including aircraft equipped for radar weather mapping and reconnaissance,mid-air space capsule recovery,search and rescue,ambulance service,drone launching,and mid-air refueling of helicopters.The C-130 Hercules could transport up to 92 combat troops and their gear or 45,000 pounds of cargo.Where Facilities were inadequate,the Lockheed C-130 Hercules could deliver its cargo by parachute or low altitude ground-cable extraction without landing.
Twenty-eight Lockheed C-130 Hercules were converted to side-firing gunships,primarily for night attacks against ground targets.This Lockheed AC-130A Hercules was modified at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base,Ohio,as the prototype for the gunship version and was intially equipped with four 20 milimter cannons and four 7.62 milimeter miniguns milti-barrel guns,a searchlight and target sensors.After testing in Southeast Asia in 1967,it was used as a test bed for addition armament sensor and fire control development.Later Lockheed AC-130 Hercules gunships mounted improved sensors,digital fire control computer and heavier armament.
Lockheed AC-130A
---------------------------
With the success of the Douglas AC-47D Skytrain "Spooky" or "Puff the Magic Dragon" and "Puff" gunships in Southeast Asia,the U.S Air Force created two modification programs for improved and larger gunships.The Fairchild AC-119G Flying Boxcar "Shadows" and Fairchild AC-119K Flying Boxcar "Stingers" were developed under the Gunship III program and the Lockheed AC-130A Hercules was developed under the Gunship II program.
Compared to the Douglas AC-47D Skytran "Spooky" or "Puff the Magic Dragon" and "Puff",the Lockheed AC-130A Hercules "Spectre" gunship was equipped with more and bigger guns--four MUX-470 7.62 milimeter miniguns and four 20 milimeter cannons.Gunship II program was also equipped with a more sophisticated avionics suite including Night Observation Divice,Forwad Looking InfraRed,side looking radar,beacon tracking radar and fire control computer system.The Lockheed AC-130A Hercules was also equipped with a 20 kilowatt (1.5 million candlepower) illumnuation and a flare launcher.
On febuary 26,1967,the first aircraft (Lockheed JC-130A Hercules S/N 54-1626) was selected for conversion into the prototype Lockheed AC-130 Hercules gunship.The modificafion were done in April 1967 and May 1967 at Wright-Patterson Airforce Base,Ohio,by the Aeronultical Systems Division.Flight testing of the Lockheed AC-130 Hercules was done primarly at Eglin Air Force Base,Florida,and began on June 6,1967.Testing and addition modifications were done throughout the summer of 1967.By early September 1967,theaircraft Lockheed AC-130A Hercules was certifed ready for combat testing.The Lockheed AC-130 Hercules prototype was flown to Nha Trang Air Base,South Vietnam arriving on September 21,1967,for a 90-day test program.
Combat Test and Evaluation
--------------------------------------
The prototype Lockheed AC-130 Hercules Gunship II program (inital designated Gunboat) was modified at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base,Ohio,in the spring of 1967.Inital flight testing was done during the summer of 1967,primarly at Eglin Air Force Base,Florida.The aircraft Lockheed AC-130 Hercules was flown to Southeast Asia for follow-on -flight testing under combat conitions.
The Lockheed AC-130A Hercules arrived at Nha Trang Air Base,South Vietnam on September 21,1967.The inital test of the Gunship II program involved Close Air Support in the southern region of South Vietnam in the Mekong River Delta area.Close Air Supprt was a critical mission since support of Troops in Contact always took precepence over gunship missions.The next of tests evaluated the aircraft's Lockheed AC-130 Hercules interdiction capabilities primarly against enemy trucks operating on the Ho Chi Minh Trail in the Tiger Hound (southern quadrant of the panhandle) aera of Laos.The final phase of test program involved flying armed reconnasissonce missions in the central highland of South Vietnam(2nd Army Corps area).Actual combat sorties flown between Septmber 24,1697 and December 1,1967.
The result of combat test program were very encouraging.The Gunship II program particularly good at interdiction of enemy supply vehicles.Of the 94 vehicles sighted,38 vehicles were destroyed (verified dircect hits and secondary explosions or sustained fire).During the combat evaluation,the Lockheed AC-130A Hercules fired more than 85,000 rounds of 20 milimeter cannon ammunition and more than 220,000 rounds of 7.62 milimeter miniguns ammunition.While the combat test program was suuccessful,there were some serious problems indentifed which would require fixing before the "production" Lockheed AC-130A Hercules modification program could begin.
After the prototype Lockheed AC-130A Hercules completed its inital combat evaluation in early December 1967,problems indentified during the test program were evaluated and integrated into an upgrade and overhaul plan expected to take until midsummer 1968.However,because of the success of first combat test,General William C. Westmoreland,Commander of the United States Military Assistance Command,Vietnam,requested the Lockheed AC-130A Hercules be returned to Southeast Asia as soon as possible,so it could be used befor the "wet" season Monsoon in late spring 1968.General Willim W. Momyer,Commander of the 7th Air Force,dircted the Lockheed AC-130A Hercules overhaul incude only essential fix and the gunship be returned to Southeast Asia by the begining of spring 1968.The overhaul was completed in early Febuary 1968 and the aircraft Lockheed AC-130 Hercules arrived back in Southeast Asia on Febuary 12,1968.During the second combat test,the Gunship II program was based at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base,Thailand,a forward operating location of the 14th Air Commando Wing based at Nha Trang Air Base,South Vietnam (location of the fist combat test).
The Lockheed AC-130A Hercules prototype conducted the second combat evaluation between Febuary 27,1968 and May 14,1968.Fouty-three combat missions were flown over Laos,primarily in the "Steel Tiger" area of the panhandle.Eight hundred 74 enemy vehicles were sighted--212 vehicles were destoyed and 107 vehicles were damaged.The Lockheed AC-130A Hercules gunship also destroyed one 37 milimeter antiaircraft artillery (AAA) and damaged four more 37 milimeter antiaircraft artillery (AAA) sites.
Because of some early problems with the gunship's fire control system and often heavy antiaircraft artillery (AAA),the Lockheed AC-130A Hercules teamed up with Cessna O-2 Skymaster "Covey" forward air controllers (FAC) and Lockheed C-130 Hercules "Blindbat" flare ships.The Lockheed C-130 Hercules "Blindbat" was verry effective detecting targets using its star light scope;however,it flew a predictable search pattern altitudes (right hana circular or race track at 8,000 feet -11,000 feet altitude).Enemy guners were quick to realized if they heard or saw the unarmed Lockheed C-130 Hercules "Blindbat" orbiting their psition,an attack strike was imminet and to hold fire waiting on the strike aircraft.The Lockheed AC-130A Hercules was highly vulnerable in this situation,so if a Lockheed C-130 Hercules "Blindbat" spotted a target,it would relay the information to the Lockheed AC-130 Hercules gunship and clear the area.This allowed the Lockheed AC-130 Hercules gunship to achive some amount of surprise when attacking defended ground targets,although most cases,the Lockheed AC-130A Hercules simply avoided areas known to contain heavy enemy antiaircraft artillery (AAA).
The Lockheed AC-130A Hercules worked well using the Cessna O-2 Skymaster "Covey" as a seeker aircraft.In general,the Cessna O-2 Skymaster "Covey" would fly slightly higher and inside the Lockheed AC-130A Hercules gunship's orbit.When an enemy antiaircraft artillery position was spotted,the Cessna O-2 Skymaster "Covey" marked the gun and called for a "fast mover" to attack it while the Lockheed AC-130A Hercules moved off to search for truck traffic in areas with little or no antiaircraft artillery (AAA) gun positions.
The overhaul conclusion of the second test program was the Lockheed AC-130A Hercules would be extremly effective in interdicting supply lines if the antiaircraft artillery (AAA) defense were neutralized.Note:Becaused of the bombing halt in place during the spring of 1968,three Cessna O-2 Skymaster "Covey",one Lockheed C-130 Hercules "Blindbat",and three McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom IIs based at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base,Thailand were shot down over Laos (May 1968)--the enemy used that time to set-up many antiaircraft artillery (AAA) sites along the Ho Chi Minh Tral routes through southern Laos.
Following the second conbat evaluation,all major aircraft systems and component were critoqued on combat performance,ease of maintenance and relibility.The illuminator system was broken throughout the test period and was eventually removed from the aircraft Lockheed AC-130 Hercules.Problems with the system included lack of spare parts,poor repair manuals and xcontamination of the water cooling system.The LAU-74 semiautomatic flare launcher installed beside the illuminator on the aft ramp worked well throughout the tests.When the fire control computer was "down",the pilot sometimes resorted to Douglas AC-47D Skytrain "Spooky" or "Puff the Magic Dragon" and "Puff" style tactics--drop flares to light the target and manually site the gun and "walk" the tracer path to the target.The fire control radar (DPN-34) was broken much of the time and rquired extensive maintenance between flights.The evaluation team recommended an entire new system be used on all further Lockheed AC-130 Hercules gunship conversions.The infrared tracing tracking system was unable,but required a very exerienced operator to continuously track a ground target with the aircraft Lockheed AC-130 Hercules in attack mode (30 degree left bank).The guns all performed well and only miner jamming problems (fixable in flight by the guners) but was prone to problems otherwise.The fire control computer was subject to in-flight failure but worked well when it was functional.The Night Observation Device worked well and was among the most reliable pieces of equipment on the Gunship II program Lockheed AC-130 Hercules prototype.The navigation equipment worked well and most problems were associated with the Lockheed AC-130A Hercules attack tactics.Example,the search radar had a limited range of 30 miles and tended to have roll stabilzation problems during sustained bank flight.
The typical Lockheed AC-130A Hercules attack profile was flown at 5,000 feet above ground level (AGL) for armed reconnaissance missions and interdixtion missions.If moderate or heavy antiaircraft artillery (AAA) with attack from 6,500 feet or 8,000 feet above ground level (AGL) (in most cases,the Gunship II program would depart areas with heavy antiaircraft artillery (AAA) without attacking).For close air support of Troops In Contact (TIC) the aircraft Lockheed AC-130 Hercules would fly as low as 3,500 feet above ground level (AGL) to improve gun accuracy.THe standard speed was 145 knots.The aircraft Lockheed AC-130 Hercules while in a 30 degree left bank and guns were depressed 20 degrees (down).This combined with an approximate 10 degree ballistic arc caused the rounds to impact the target area at approximatley 60 degrees (from horizontal).This high angle of incidence produced good results even when penetrating the jungle canopy.The 20 milimeter "Vulcan" cannon were primary weapons used and a 2-second burst (75-100 rounds) from a single 20 milimeter cannon were usually sufficient to destroy an enemy truck.Whenfiring on a group of vehicles located close to one another,two 20 milimeter cannons fired simultaneously.The only time all eight guns (four 20 milimeter cannons and four 7.62 milimeter miniguns) were fired together was when attcking an enemy antiaircraft artillery (AAA) site.When the Gunship II program encountered an antiaircraft artillery (AAA) and didn't attack it (this was usually the case),a flare,timed to ignite when it hit the ground,was sometimes dropped on the site to mark it (and be avoided by the Lockheed AC-130 Hercules gunship and forward air controller (FAC) in the area).
The final reconnendation of evaluation team included the need for an upgrade fire control system which could minmize the time over the target,reliable maintain lock,and store multiple target locations.The need for larger caliber guns to deal with antiaircraft artillery (AAA) sites and armored vehicles was also included in the report.The evaluation team suggested a 25 milimeter cannons;however,follow-on Lockheed AC-130 Hercules gunships included 40 milimter cannons and some were equipped with a 105 milimeter howitzer!
M-102 105 MM Cannon
--------------------------------
Designed for easy transport by helicopter or light vehicles,the M-120 105 milimeter cannon first saw service in Southeast Asia with the U.S.Army in 1966.The M-102's light weight made it well-suited for use on Lockheed AC-130 Hercules gunships.One of the side-firing 40 milimeter guns on the Lockheed AC-130A Hercules was replaces with the modified M-102 105 milimeter cannon to increase firepower.
Other Lockheed AC-130A Hercules gunships,however used the powerful M-102 105 milimeter cannon effectively against enemy targets.
0099 Lockheed AC-130A Hercules M-102 105mm Cannon
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules was originally designed as an assault transport capable of operating from unpaved,hadtily preparde airstrips.On August 23,1953,the Lockheed C-130 Hercules made its first flight.By 1976 more than 1,200 Lockheed C-130 Herculces had been ordered,including aircraft equipped for radar weather mapping and reconnaissance,mid-air space capsule recovery,search and rescue,ambulance service,drone launching,and mid-air refueling of helicopters.The C-130 Hercules could transport up to 92 combat troops and their gear or 45,000 pounds of cargo.Where Facilities were inadequate,the Lockheed C-130 Hercules could deliver its cargo by parachute or low altitude ground-cable extraction without landing.
Twenty-eight Lockheed C-130 Hercules were converted to side-firing gunships,primarily for night attacks against ground targets.This Lockheed AC-130A Hercules was modified at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base,Ohio,as the prototype for the gunship version and was intially equipped with four 20 milimter cannons and four 7.62 milimeter miniguns milti-barrel guns,a searchlight and target sensors.After testing in Southeast Asia in 1967,it was used as a test bed for addition armament sensor and fire control development.Later Lockheed AC-130 Hercules gunships mounted improved sensors,digital fire control computer and heavier armament.
Lockheed AC-130A
---------------------------
With the success of the Douglas AC-47D Skytrain "Spooky" or "Puff the Magic Dragon" and "Puff" gunships in Southeast Asia,the U.S Air Force created two modification programs for improved and larger gunships.The Fairchild AC-119G Flying Boxcar "Shadows" and Fairchild AC-119K Flying Boxcar "Stingers" were developed under the Gunship III program and the Lockheed AC-130A Hercules was developed under the Gunship II program.
Compared to the Douglas AC-47D Skytran "Spooky" or "Puff the Magic Dragon" and "Puff",the Lockheed AC-130A Hercules "Spectre" gunship was equipped with more and bigger guns--four MUX-470 7.62 milimeter miniguns and four 20 milimeter cannons.Gunship II program was also equipped with a more sophisticated avionics suite including Night Observation Divice,Forwad Looking InfraRed,side looking radar,beacon tracking radar and fire control computer system.The Lockheed AC-130A Hercules was also equipped with a 20 kilowatt (1.5 million candlepower) illumnuation and a flare launcher.
On febuary 26,1967,the first aircraft (Lockheed JC-130A Hercules S/N 54-1626) was selected for conversion into the prototype Lockheed AC-130 Hercules gunship.The modificafion were done in April 1967 and May 1967 at Wright-Patterson Airforce Base,Ohio,by the Aeronultical Systems Division.Flight testing of the Lockheed AC-130 Hercules was done primarly at Eglin Air Force Base,Florida,and began on June 6,1967.Testing and addition modifications were done throughout the summer of 1967.By early September 1967,theaircraft Lockheed AC-130A Hercules was certifed ready for combat testing.The Lockheed AC-130 Hercules prototype was flown to Nha Trang Air Base,South Vietnam arriving on September 21,1967,for a 90-day test program.
Combat Test and Evaluation
--------------------------------------
The prototype Lockheed AC-130 Hercules Gunship II program (inital designated Gunboat) was modified at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base,Ohio,in the spring of 1967.Inital flight testing was done during the summer of 1967,primarly at Eglin Air Force Base,Florida.The aircraft Lockheed AC-130 Hercules was flown to Southeast Asia for follow-on -flight testing under combat conitions.
The Lockheed AC-130A Hercules arrived at Nha Trang Air Base,South Vietnam on September 21,1967.The inital test of the Gunship II program involved Close Air Support in the southern region of South Vietnam in the Mekong River Delta area.Close Air Supprt was a critical mission since support of Troops in Contact always took precepence over gunship missions.The next of tests evaluated the aircraft's Lockheed AC-130 Hercules interdiction capabilities primarly against enemy trucks operating on the Ho Chi Minh Trail in the Tiger Hound (southern quadrant of the panhandle) aera of Laos.The final phase of test program involved flying armed reconnasissonce missions in the central highland of South Vietnam(2nd Army Corps area).Actual combat sorties flown between Septmber 24,1697 and December 1,1967.
The result of combat test program were very encouraging.The Gunship II program particularly good at interdiction of enemy supply vehicles.Of the 94 vehicles sighted,38 vehicles were destroyed (verified dircect hits and secondary explosions or sustained fire).During the combat evaluation,the Lockheed AC-130A Hercules fired more than 85,000 rounds of 20 milimeter cannon ammunition and more than 220,000 rounds of 7.62 milimeter miniguns ammunition.While the combat test program was suuccessful,there were some serious problems indentifed which would require fixing before the "production" Lockheed AC-130A Hercules modification program could begin.
After the prototype Lockheed AC-130A Hercules completed its inital combat evaluation in early December 1967,problems indentified during the test program were evaluated and integrated into an upgrade and overhaul plan expected to take until midsummer 1968.However,because of the success of first combat test,General William C. Westmoreland,Commander of the United States Military Assistance Command,Vietnam,requested the Lockheed AC-130A Hercules be returned to Southeast Asia as soon as possible,so it could be used befor the "wet" season Monsoon in late spring 1968.General Willim W. Momyer,Commander of the 7th Air Force,dircted the Lockheed AC-130A Hercules overhaul incude only essential fix and the gunship be returned to Southeast Asia by the begining of spring 1968.The overhaul was completed in early Febuary 1968 and the aircraft Lockheed AC-130 Hercules arrived back in Southeast Asia on Febuary 12,1968.During the second combat test,the Gunship II program was based at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base,Thailand,a forward operating location of the 14th Air Commando Wing based at Nha Trang Air Base,South Vietnam (location of the fist combat test).
The Lockheed AC-130A Hercules prototype conducted the second combat evaluation between Febuary 27,1968 and May 14,1968.Fouty-three combat missions were flown over Laos,primarily in the "Steel Tiger" area of the panhandle.Eight hundred 74 enemy vehicles were sighted--212 vehicles were destoyed and 107 vehicles were damaged.The Lockheed AC-130A Hercules gunship also destroyed one 37 milimeter antiaircraft artillery (AAA) and damaged four more 37 milimeter antiaircraft artillery (AAA) sites.
Because of some early problems with the gunship's fire control system and often heavy antiaircraft artillery (AAA),the Lockheed AC-130A Hercules teamed up with Cessna O-2 Skymaster "Covey" forward air controllers (FAC) and Lockheed C-130 Hercules "Blindbat" flare ships.The Lockheed C-130 Hercules "Blindbat" was verry effective detecting targets using its star light scope;however,it flew a predictable search pattern altitudes (right hana circular or race track at 8,000 feet -11,000 feet altitude).Enemy guners were quick to realized if they heard or saw the unarmed Lockheed C-130 Hercules "Blindbat" orbiting their psition,an attack strike was imminet and to hold fire waiting on the strike aircraft.The Lockheed AC-130A Hercules was highly vulnerable in this situation,so if a Lockheed C-130 Hercules "Blindbat" spotted a target,it would relay the information to the Lockheed AC-130 Hercules gunship and clear the area.This allowed the Lockheed AC-130 Hercules gunship to achive some amount of surprise when attacking defended ground targets,although most cases,the Lockheed AC-130A Hercules simply avoided areas known to contain heavy enemy antiaircraft artillery (AAA).
The Lockheed AC-130A Hercules worked well using the Cessna O-2 Skymaster "Covey" as a seeker aircraft.In general,the Cessna O-2 Skymaster "Covey" would fly slightly higher and inside the Lockheed AC-130A Hercules gunship's orbit.When an enemy antiaircraft artillery position was spotted,the Cessna O-2 Skymaster "Covey" marked the gun and called for a "fast mover" to attack it while the Lockheed AC-130A Hercules moved off to search for truck traffic in areas with little or no antiaircraft artillery (AAA) gun positions.
The overhaul conclusion of the second test program was the Lockheed AC-130A Hercules would be extremly effective in interdicting supply lines if the antiaircraft artillery (AAA) defense were neutralized.Note:Becaused of the bombing halt in place during the spring of 1968,three Cessna O-2 Skymaster "Covey",one Lockheed C-130 Hercules "Blindbat",and three McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom IIs based at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base,Thailand were shot down over Laos (May 1968)--the enemy used that time to set-up many antiaircraft artillery (AAA) sites along the Ho Chi Minh Tral routes through southern Laos.
Following the second conbat evaluation,all major aircraft systems and component were critoqued on combat performance,ease of maintenance and relibility.The illuminator system was broken throughout the test period and was eventually removed from the aircraft Lockheed AC-130 Hercules.Problems with the system included lack of spare parts,poor repair manuals and xcontamination of the water cooling system.The LAU-74 semiautomatic flare launcher installed beside the illuminator on the aft ramp worked well throughout the tests.When the fire control computer was "down",the pilot sometimes resorted to Douglas AC-47D Skytrain "Spooky" or "Puff the Magic Dragon" and "Puff" style tactics--drop flares to light the target and manually site the gun and "walk" the tracer path to the target.The fire control radar (DPN-34) was broken much of the time and rquired extensive maintenance between flights.The evaluation team recommended an entire new system be used on all further Lockheed AC-130 Hercules gunship conversions.The infrared tracing tracking system was unable,but required a very exerienced operator to continuously track a ground target with the aircraft Lockheed AC-130 Hercules in attack mode (30 degree left bank).The guns all performed well and only miner jamming problems (fixable in flight by the guners) but was prone to problems otherwise.The fire control computer was subject to in-flight failure but worked well when it was functional.The Night Observation Device worked well and was among the most reliable pieces of equipment on the Gunship II program Lockheed AC-130 Hercules prototype.The navigation equipment worked well and most problems were associated with the Lockheed AC-130A Hercules attack tactics.Example,the search radar had a limited range of 30 miles and tended to have roll stabilzation problems during sustained bank flight.
The typical Lockheed AC-130A Hercules attack profile was flown at 5,000 feet above ground level (AGL) for armed reconnaissance missions and interdixtion missions.If moderate or heavy antiaircraft artillery (AAA) with attack from 6,500 feet or 8,000 feet above ground level (AGL) (in most cases,the Gunship II program would depart areas with heavy antiaircraft artillery (AAA) without attacking).For close air support of Troops In Contact (TIC) the aircraft Lockheed AC-130 Hercules would fly as low as 3,500 feet above ground level (AGL) to improve gun accuracy.THe standard speed was 145 knots.The aircraft Lockheed AC-130 Hercules while in a 30 degree left bank and guns were depressed 20 degrees (down).This combined with an approximate 10 degree ballistic arc caused the rounds to impact the target area at approximatley 60 degrees (from horizontal).This high angle of incidence produced good results even when penetrating the jungle canopy.The 20 milimeter "Vulcan" cannon were primary weapons used and a 2-second burst (75-100 rounds) from a single 20 milimeter cannon were usually sufficient to destroy an enemy truck.Whenfiring on a group of vehicles located close to one another,two 20 milimeter cannons fired simultaneously.The only time all eight guns (four 20 milimeter cannons and four 7.62 milimeter miniguns) were fired together was when attcking an enemy antiaircraft artillery (AAA) site.When the Gunship II program encountered an antiaircraft artillery (AAA) and didn't attack it (this was usually the case),a flare,timed to ignite when it hit the ground,was sometimes dropped on the site to mark it (and be avoided by the Lockheed AC-130 Hercules gunship and forward air controller (FAC) in the area).
The final reconnendation of evaluation team included the need for an upgrade fire control system which could minmize the time over the target,reliable maintain lock,and store multiple target locations.The need for larger caliber guns to deal with antiaircraft artillery (AAA) sites and armored vehicles was also included in the report.The evaluation team suggested a 25 milimeter cannons;however,follow-on Lockheed AC-130 Hercules gunships included 40 milimter cannons and some were equipped with a 105 milimeter howitzer!
M-102 105 MM Cannon
--------------------------------
Designed for easy transport by helicopter or light vehicles,the M-120 105 milimeter cannon first saw service in Southeast Asia with the U.S.Army in 1966.The M-102's light weight made it well-suited for use on Lockheed AC-130 Hercules gunships.One of the side-firing 40 milimeter guns on the Lockheed AC-130A Hercules was replaces with the modified M-102 105 milimeter cannon to increase firepower.
Other Lockheed AC-130A Hercules gunships,however used the powerful M-102 105 milimeter cannon effectively against enemy targets.