Air-to-ground weaponry: Difference between revisions
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Machine guns were one of the first weapons adapted on aircraft, as early as the first world war. They were used to hunt down other aircraft, but also shooting at infantry, vehicles and installations. This weapon is usually mounted on or in the nose, in or under the wings, or on the sides of the hull (in [[gunship]]s). Those weapons evolved developing different aspects of those weapons : caliber, fire rate, number of machine gun mounted. |
Machine guns were one of the first weapons adapted on aircraft, as early as the first world war. They were used to hunt down other aircraft, but also shooting at infantry, vehicles and installations. This weapon is usually mounted on or in the nose, in or under the wings, or on the sides of the hull (in [[gunship]]s). Those weapons evolved developing different aspects of those weapons : caliber, fire rate, number of machine gun mounted. |
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During World War II, |
During World War II, American planes were mounted with a large number of low caliber machine guns, while European nations, and especially the Germans, developed bigger caliber weapons, creating the first autocanons. Gatling guns at that time were not used, as the rail guns were more useful. |
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Later, the USA developed new weapons for its |
Later, the USA developed new weapons for its vehicles, using the gatling design, as for the [[M61 Vulcan]] or the [[GAU-8 Avenger]] of the [[A-10 Thunderbolt]]. They are the main weapon system of American Gunships, as the AC 130. |
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== Bomb == |
== Bomb == |
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{{see|Bomb}} |
{{see|Bomb}} |
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== Rocket == |
== Rocket == |
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[[File:061020-F-1234P-022.jpg|thumb|[[Republic P-47 Thunderbolt]].]] |
[[File:061020-F-1234P-022.jpg|thumb|[[Republic P-47 Thunderbolt]].]] |
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[[File:Hydra 70 M261.jpeg|thumb|M261, 19 [[Hydra 70]], |
[[File:Hydra 70 M261.jpeg|thumb|M261, 19 [[Hydra 70]], Dutch [[AH-64 Apache]].]] |
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[[File:AGM-114 and Hydra 70.jpeg|thumb|[[Hydra 70]] & [[Hellfire]].]] |
[[File:AGM-114 and Hydra 70.jpeg|thumb|[[Hydra 70]] & [[Hellfire]].]] |
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[[File:XM157 Rocket Pod.jpg|thumb|Pod XM157, 7 Mk 40.]] |
[[File:XM157 Rocket Pod.jpg|thumb|Pod XM157, 7 Mk 40.]] |
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[[File:Agm-129 acm.jpg|thumb|[[AGM-129 ACM]].]] |
[[File:Agm-129 acm.jpg|thumb|[[AGM-129 ACM]].]] |
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[[File:Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile.jpg|thumb| Missile Tomahawk.]] |
[[File:Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile.jpg|thumb| Missile Tomahawk.]] |
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[[Category:Air-to-ground weapon]] |
[[Category:Air-to-ground weapon]] |
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Revision as of 19:48, 30 March 2009
Air-to-ground weaponry includes all weapons used by airplanes and helicopters to destroy ground targets. This class of weapons have, since the first world war, take a great importance on the conduct of war. It's the main weaponry of ground-attack aircrafts, helicopters and bombers, as for fighter-bombers and strike fighters too. Nowadays, most aerial vehicles, including fighters and UAV are also able to use those weapons in warfare.
A wide variety of weapons exist for this purpose, depending on range, weight, type of technology and their targets.
Machine gun
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Machine guns were one of the first weapons adapted on aircraft, as early as the first world war. They were used to hunt down other aircraft, but also shooting at infantry, vehicles and installations. This weapon is usually mounted on or in the nose, in or under the wings, or on the sides of the hull (in gunships). Those weapons evolved developing different aspects of those weapons : caliber, fire rate, number of machine gun mounted.
During World War II, American planes were mounted with a large number of low caliber machine guns, while European nations, and especially the Germans, developed bigger caliber weapons, creating the first autocanons. Gatling guns at that time were not used, as the rail guns were more useful.
Later, the USA developed new weapons for its vehicles, using the gatling design, as for the M61 Vulcan or the GAU-8 Avenger of the A-10 Thunderbolt. They are the main weapon system of American Gunships, as the AC 130.
Grenade launcher
Some helicopters are equipped with automatic grenade launchers, like the M75 and the M129, firing 40x53mm grenades.
Bomb
Rocket
Missile
Cruise missile
