To: MACVSOG68
It is kind of comical to listen to the ignorant media folks try to describe this weapon. Just now on Fox News, we were told the gunship "can fire 1800 rounds per minute." This is actually the rate of fire of one of the two 20mm Gatling gun cannons. It does not mention the 40mm Bofors, nor the 105mm cannon that can fire 6 - 10 high explosive shells per minute. Note that the explosive force of artillery is as much due to projectile velocity as it is to explosive charge. Now realize that the 105mm is firing downward at about a 45 degree angle, in effect, point blank straight line fire at the target. All fire is separately targeted by computers based on radar and infrared, with first round accuracy. This is an unbelievably destructive weapon, far beyond the realization of the media folks, and probably far beyond the realization of the people on the ground.
To: thucydides
"Just now on Fox News, we were told the gunship "can fire 1800 rounds per minute." This is actually the rate of fire of one of the two 20mm Gatling gun cannons. It does not mention the 40mm Bofors, nor the 105mm cannon that can fire 6 - 10 high explosive shells per minute"
You picked that up too, LOL. Actually, the GE M61/A1 20mm Vulcan fires 6000 rounds per minute, as set up on the F-16. The F-16 will fire it's entire ammo load (510 rounds) in 5 seconds if the trigger is depressed and held. Having had the pleasure of knowing a couple 130 gunship air crew members, I can tell you that in the Vietnam era, they would be standing knee deep in shell casings at the end of a fire mission. Have a nice day, taliban clmers.
To: thucydides
Point-blank, direct-fire with a 105 howitzer....a very scary thing.
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