😲US Air Force may remove 105mm cannon from AC-130 gunship

[GOYABEAN]

Here is some info on the one for the navy.

MQ-25 Stingray Unmanned Aerial Refuelling Aircraft

MQ-25 Stingray is a next-generation unmanned aerial refuelling aircraft being developed by Boeing for the US Navy's Carrier-Based Aerial-Refueling System (CBARS) programme. The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) will offer carrier-based unmanned aerial refuelling capability to the US Navy.

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Aerodynamic frame work hopefully it preforms as good as it looks 🙂

[knight0334]

The Air Force has gone both, tactically and strategically, retarded in the last number of years. From wanting to drop the A-10, the craptastic and expensive F-22 & F-35 programs, and now this.

The only way guided bombs and/or missiles will have as thorough of a single mission fulfillment is if the AC-130 is loaded with far more than it is already capable of carrying on the couple wing hard points. Sure, the plane itself is capable of hauling the weight around of a bunch of bombs/missiles - 21 tons. 1 ton more than the B-2, and probably more than the upcoming B-21 Raider. But it would have to loiter with all that weight until delivery, where as the few dozen 105mm shells weigh far less for the loiter time, allowing longer times over the zone. Not to mention the number of different targets that could be engaged during an equal loiter time.

If they were smart, they'd keep the 105mm in the AC-130. Then create a new series of AC-130's specifically as a missile carrier or bomber.

The only thing that branch as done right is the re-engining of the B-52's.

[JasonLund]

Here is some info on the one for the navy.

MQ-25 Stingray Unmanned Aerial Refuelling Aircraft

MQ-25 Stingray is a next-generation unmanned aerial refuelling aircraft being developed by Boeing for the US Navy's Carrier-Based Aerial-Refueling System (CBARS) programme. The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) will offer carrier-based unmanned aerial refuelling capability to the US Navy.

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Aircraft Director must feel a little awkward giving hand signals to an aircraft that he knows is empty. And how does he receive the confirmation nod & thumbs up from the pilot?

[GOYABEAN]

Aircraft Director must feel a little awkward giving hand signals to an aircraft that he knows is empty. And how does he receive the confirmation nod & thumbs up from the pilot?

🤗 Drone Lives Matter anim_rofl2.gif

[GunLawyer001]

When asked his opinion on the removal of the cannon from his plane, a long-time pilot responded by placing a hand behind his ear and asking "What??"

[GOYABEAN]

Here is some info on the one for the navy.

MQ-25 Stingray Unmanned Aerial Refuelling Aircraft

MQ-25 Stingray is a next-generation unmanned aerial refuelling aircraft being developed by Boeing for the US Navy's Carrier-Based Aerial-Refueling System (CBARS) programme. The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) will offer carrier-based unmanned aerial refuelling capability to the US Navy.

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Looks impressive but lacking in fuel capacity idk.gif

[Noah_Zark]

In the related but unrelated category, the US Army announced in 2017 that it plans to phase out its leasing program of M101 105mm howitzers and sale of explosive rounds for avalanche control by state DOTs and railroads in the Rocky Mountains, and for Alaska DOT and the Alaska Railroad.

The replacements are permanently installed systems that launch mortar rounds from above the high snow fields where avalanches start. The mortar rounds will be launched on command by using sat radio comms, and will need to be reloaded by helicopter as the launcher installations are remote and high on mountains. Other systems



Replacement:



Another system being installed for avalanche control is the Gazex, which uses propane and oxygen to create a high-concussion blast to shock loose snow on top of ice and start mini avalanches in a controlled manner:



Noah

[GOYABEAN]

In the related but unrelated category, the US Army announced in 2017 that it plans to phase out its leasing program of M101 105mm howitzers and sale of explosive rounds for avalanche control by state DOTs and railroads in the Rocky Mountains, and for the Alaska Railroad. The replacements are permanently installed systems that launch mortar rounds from above the high snow fields where avalanches start. The mortar rounds will be launched on command by using sat radio comms, and will need to be reloaded by helicopter as the launcher installations are remote and high on mountains.



Noah

🤔 Snow is racist C'mon man you know the thing.

[dunno]

Having never served I have no idea if this is a good idea but I do remember when they talked about discontinuing use of the A10 just to bring it back for the "Gulf War". Same thing with bringing back the USS New Jersey for the "Gulf War" and having to hire old sailors to teach the youngin's ON THE WAY OVER. LOL

By all means, remove the Big Boom Stick, but you had better leave the mounts in place. LOL

[JoshIronshaft]

More info on avalanche control, including some info on guys being killed when recoilless rifles exploded, sorry it is a PDF you have to download:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...8&opi=89978449