Gunship
A gunship (not to be confused with a gunboat) is a military aircraft armed with heavy aircraft guns, primarily intended for attacking ground targets either as airstrike or as close air support.
In modern usage the term "gunship" refers to fixed-wing aircraft having laterally-mounted heavy armaments (i.e. firing to the side) to attack ground or sea targets.[1][2] The term "gunship" originated in the mid-19th century as a synonym for gunboat and also referred to the heavily armed ironclad steamships used during the American Civil War.[3]
The term helicopter gunship is commonly used to describe armed helicopters.
World War II aviation
Attack aircraft
During World War II, the urgent need for hard-hitting attack aircraft led to the development of the heavily armed gunship versions of the North American B-25 Mitchell.
Post–World War II aviation
Fixed-wing aircraft
In the more modern, post-World War II fixed-wing aircraft category, a gunship is an aircraft having laterally-mounted heavy armaments (i.e. firing to the side) to attack ground or sea targets.[1][2]
The Douglas AC-47 Spooky was the first notable modern gunship.
Helicopter gunships
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Ballard 1982, p. 9.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Hamlin 1970.
- ↑ "Mystery photo unseen for 30 years may show Civil War gunship". Fox News. February 14, 2015. Archived from the original on June 16, 2015. Retrieved December 12, 2024.