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APPENDIX C US CLOSE AIR SUPPORT AIRCRAFT |
This appendix provides a reference chart depicting the characteristics of US close air support aircraft.
US CLOSE AIR SUPPORT AIRCRAFT
| AIRCRAFT | SERVICE | CHARACTERISTICS | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F-111 | USAF | Tactical bomber, good all-weather and night capability; supersonic; typical load 12,000 lbs, maximum load 25,000 lbs. |
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| A-6M | USMC | All-weather tactical bomber; subsonic; typical load 4,000 lbs, maximum load 9,000 lbs. |
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| AV-881 | USMC, USN |
VTOL CAS aircraft; subsonic; typical load 4,000 lbs, maximum load 9,200 lbs; 5,000-lb ordnance load; 25-mm Gatling gun. |
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| A-10 OR O/A-10* |
USAF, AFRES, ANG |
Specialized CAS aircrafft; subsonic; typical load 6,000 lbs, maximum load 16,000 lbs; 30-mm gun. |
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| F-15E | USAF | Multirole aircraft; priority to air to ground; also has an excellent platform for computer air-to-ground delivery; supersonic; maximum load 24,000 lbs. |
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| F-16* | USAF, AFRES, ANG |
Multirole aircraft; complements the F-15 in air-to-air role; most accurate ground delivery system in inventory; supersonic; typical load 6,000 lbs, maximum load 10,500 lbs. |
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| F-18* | USN, USMC |
Multirole fighter; wide variety of air-to-surface weapons; typical load 7,000 lbs, maximum load 17,000 lbs; 20-mm gun and air-to-air missiles. |
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| AC-130* | USAF, AFRES |
Specialized CAS and/or RACO aircraft, propeller driven, two models. The A model is equipped with two 7.62-mm miniguns. The H model is similar, except it has no 7.62-mm miniguns and one of the 40-mm guns is replaced with a 105-mm howitzer. Both models have advanced sensors and target acquisition system including forward-looking infrared and low-light TV. Weapons employment accuracy is outstanding. This aircraft is vulnerable to enemy air defense systems and must operate in a low ADA threat environment. |
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| * Aircraft with FM communications | ||||||||||||||||||
| NOTE. Typical load is average load for typical support mission; maximum load is the amount the aircraft can carry in an ideal situation. |
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LEGEND:
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