From: skunk-works-digest-owner@mail.orst.edu To: skunk-works-digest@mail.orst.edu Subject: Skunk Works Digest V5 #160 Reply-To: skunk-works-digest@mail.orst.edu Errors-To: skunk-works-digest-owner@mail.orst.edu Precedence: bulk Skunk Works Digest Friday, 30 September 1994 Volume 05 : Number 160 In this issue: OTH-B New SR-71 book Re: Senior Citizen (and other designations) PAVE SR-71s (Was Re: PAVE PAWS and Glomar Explorer) RE: Pave Paws Re: New SR-71 book Re: Senior Citizen (and other designations) Re: PAVE PAWS and Glomar Explorer PAVE PAWS Beam Bending Propagation projects Re: Beam Bending Propagation projects Re: Air International TR-3A Article and RAF Mildenhall Black Crow Re; Senior Citizen and other designations Gunships See the end of the digest for information on subscribing to the skunk-works or skunk-works-digest mailing lists and on how to retrieve back issues. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: I am the NRA Date: Tue, 27 Sep 94 15:32:28 EDT Subject: OTH-B (Sorry about my last. Again. I really DO know how to run thisa thing. 8)>>) >Did this project also have the ability to bend (shape the electons as Mary >would say) to allow the radar signals to follow the curvature of the earth Welllll. I dunno how we are being. Radar/radio is just EM radiation. How it interacts with the atmosphere varies with frequency. "classic radar" is UHF-Microwave (pave paws is fairly low, being UHF, 400 odd MHz. At these frequencies things are reasonably line of site (special cases excepted): they DON'T interact much, do keep on going. OTH-B uses "short wave", aka "MW", aka 2-30MHz, roughly. These frequencies DO interact with portions of the atmosphere, the exact interaction varying with time of day, time of year, state of the sun (etc....). The most obvious effect is that the EM waves can be refracted back to earth. By juggling frequency, launch angle, etc, one can hit "point x" from point "y". Mostly. Sometimes it takes two bounces, or more. And it varies moment by moment. And it takes a "room full" of 'puters to put it back together, It's _waves_, not electrons that refract (bend.) Below 2 MHz (NONE of these are hard magic numbers...) Everything bends, always, to a greater or lesser extent. Hence OMEGA on 20 KHz or whatever it is. At low frequencies, it ceases being "bending" and starts acting like waveguide, the end effect is very similar. >rather than just head out and keep dispersing away from the earth's surface? That happens with "classic" radar, as above. Ob Skonk: It has been asserted that OTH-B, being vastly different in frequency may be able to "see" low observable a/c, some assert by look down, some by being outside the frequency range the materiasl were picked for, some notably the Oztralians, by seeing the "tip vortices" from the wings. We may never know. ========================================================== Bangor is the "control room", linked by data com to Moscow (TX) & Columbia Falls (RX). (This & whatever i say is from public, IEEE sponsored tours...) regards dwp ------------------------------ From: mjm@wru.org (Michael Masterson) Date: Tue, 27 Sep 94 13:54:18 CDT Subject: New SR-71 book >Adrian.Thurlow@bt-sys.bt.co.uk writes: > >Reports of definitive books in progress on the SR-71 have been quite >frequent over the past 5 years. Every time you check it out though it >turns out to be false. Also, there are a few highly visible black >aircraft watching enthusiasts who keep saying they're going to do one, >but it never gets done. The Lockheed 50th Anniv. Book seems to be the >closest to what you'd like to have so far. Add to that Ben Rich's book, >and Kelly's book, and you'll essentially have it. > >It seems that the cover is peeled back slowly - very slowly (although >recently it's gotten a little faster). > >I know of a former SR driver who wants to write a book of his experiences, >in fact he's recently gotten his stories cleared for publication. A movie >company has even talked to him about it. He has some really interesting >stories. It will probably be about what it's like to be HABU! Well, I don't know if this qualifies... since they're not "techy" books, but I've got two books, one by Brian Shul, the other by Brian and Walter Watson... One's about driving the SR-71, the other is details of the mission they flew over Lybia, as well as interviews with various folks that supported the program for years. the books are loaded with pictures, most of which Brian took himself, beautiful pics. Large format, all color, (pretty expensive though, $65-70 at BattleShip park in Mobile, only $40 or so from the publisher). The titles are "Sled Driver", and "The Untouchables". Mach 1 Inc. P.O.Box 7360 Chico, Ca 95927-7360 no phone number, but I think they've got a 800 number... My copy of "The Untouchables" is autographed by Brian - -- "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Benjamin Franklin, 1759 Michael Masterson mjm@wru.org ------------------------------ From: "Scott MacEachern" Date: Tue, 27 Sep 94 13:53:18 MDT Subject: Re: Senior Citizen (and other designations) Another interesting list of programe designators from Kathryn and Andreas Gehrs-Paul. May I add my two cents (please keep in mind this is from memory, so I may make mistakes): (1) COBRA may involve TELINT and more generally surveillance of missile testing; thus COBRA JUDY and COBRA DANE are ship- and land-based radar systems with that primary purpose. (2) I think that Black Hole (Ocarina) is a commercial/test designation for the IR suppression system you mention. BLACK SPOT probably did not involve conversion of C-119K to AC-123K aircraft; this would be a major (!) conversion. (3) The ...EYE series actually contains a number of other weapons: the Mk 12 Padeye BZ incapacitant dispenser; the Mk 17 Gladeye and the Sadeye and Weteye chemical weapons (the latter designation may refer to the effects of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors on humans...); and the Mk 122 Fireye fire bomb. I don't know if these were all China Lake projects. (4) The CLASSIC (WIZARD/OUTBOARD/OUTRIGGER/BULLSEYE) and OUTLAW (SHARK/HAWK/BANDIT/HAWKEYE/HUNTER/PROWLER/STORY TELLER) programmes are surveillance/C3I US Navy projects; see Norman Friedman's -World Naval Weapons Systems_. Interesting stuff. Apologies if I'm a bit off topic. Scott MacEachern v ------------------------------ From: I am the NRA Date: Tue, 27 Sep 94 15:53:29 EDT Subject: PAVE >Forgive such a silly question, but what are Pave Paws ?? A radar system, using 400 odd MHz and Phased Array Antenna >For that matter, what is the difference of the entire PAVE xxx line of bombs ?? Some of the PAVE projects are bombs. Some are not. PAVE seems to be a "code word" for the funding agency, while "mumble" specifies a particular program. regards dwp ------------------------------ From: Paul Michael Keller Date: Tue, 27 Sep 1994 16:57:58 -0400 Subject: SR-71s (Was Re: PAVE PAWS and Glomar Explorer) Frank Schiffel, Jr. shaped the electrons to say (in part): >Anybody know of other than 3 SR-71s that are availalbe to be flown? I heard >50s as production level and this was depleted down to 3 or so. NASA got >them. Heard that there are lots and lots of spare parts and systems. > >I've heard no losses to hostile fire, but maybe we just flew the hell out >of the airframe. May be interesting to know when and why some aircraft were >taken out of service. Crickmore's latest book has the complete list of tail numbers for all of the A-12/YF-12A and SR-71 airframes, and a nearly complete list of what the even- tual disposition was (crashed, assigned to NASA, shipped to wherever as a museum piece, etc.). The only dispos he didn't have were those surviving airframes that were apparently still looking for a home as of Crickmore's publication deadline. The conventional wisdom (probably accurate) is that there are NASA's three airframes plus three that were placed "flyable" storage in Palmdale. According to Crickmore, no blackbird was ever lost due to hostile action. The only damage sustained was a single CIA A-12 which caught a piece of shrapnel during an operational mission over North Vietnam. The pilot never knew he'd been hit until the damage was discovered during post- flight inspection. Paul Keller pkeller@engin.umich.edu ------------------------------ From: Bill Corea Date: Tue, 27 Sep 1994 14:29:16 -0800 Subject: RE: Pave Paws >Andreas' excellent posting on names was very interesting (good job!) Agreed! >I noticed Pave Paws missing (maybe not in appropriate context), but it >is a radar site at Beale AFB, CA (there's also one somewhere (?) on the >east coast) that is an early warning missle detection system I believe. > >Ron I believe one was built on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, amid much noise about the biological effects of high-power RF energy. I don't know if it's still running. Bill Corea hwcco@chevron.com San Ramon, California ------------------------------ From: Wade Lengele Date: Tue, 27 Sep 1994 15:38:06 -0600 (MDT) Subject: Re: New SR-71 book I have a copy of Sled Driver autographed by Brian. I highly recommend it for its pictures and text. wade@ramp.com ------------------------------ From: Kathryn & Andreas Gehrs-Pahl Date: Tue, 27 Sep 1994 18:25:22 -0400 (EDT) Subject: Re: Senior Citizen (and other designations) Scott MacEachern wrote: >(1) COBRA may involve TELINT and more generally surveillance of >missile testing; thus COBRA JUDY and COBRA DANE are ship- and >land-based radar systems with that primary purpose Will be added. >(2) I think that Black Hole (Ocarina) is a commercial/test >designation for the IR suppression system you mention. BLACK SPOT >probably did not involve conversion of C-119K to AC-123K >aircraft; this would be a major (!) conversion. Oooops, little faux pas, meant to be C-123K to AC-123K. :-/ They were originally C-123B, and after the conversion also known as NC-123K. (And I think Black Hole dosen't fit into the list anyway.) >(3) The ...EYE series actually contains a number of other >weapons: the Mk 12 Padeye BZ incapacitant dispenser; the Mk 17 >Gladeye and the Sadeye and Weteye chemical weapons (the latter >designation may refer to the effects of acetylcholinesterase >inhibitors on humans...); and the Mk 122 Fireye fire bomb. I >don't know if these were all China Lake projects. Seems so, this information (the 'eye' stuff, and 'PAVE' acronym are from: USN Navy & Marine Corps Air Power Directory, World Air Power Journal, Editors David Donald & John Lake, page 148/149) Thanks for the update. >(4) The CLASSIC (WIZARD/OUTBOARD/OUTRIGGER/BULLSEYE) and OUTLAW >(SHARK/HAWK/BANDIT/HAWKEYE/HUNTER/PROWLER/STORY TELLER) >programmes are surveillance/C3I US Navy projects; see Norman >Friedman's -World Naval Weapons Systems_. Will be added, too. - -- Andreas - --- --- Andreas & Kathryn Gehrs-Pahl Absolute Software 313 West Court St. #305 schnars@umcc.ais.org Flint, MI 48502-1239 Tel: (810) 238-8469 - --- --- ------------------------------ From: John Regus Date: Tue, 27 Sep 1994 17:52:45 -0500 (CST) Subject: Re: PAVE PAWS and Glomar Explorer Dear Frank, Gotta disagree that GE was a skunk project...it was a ship that was originally designed to be part of the Project Mohole seismological survey. Cheers and I hope you are having a good football season. John F. Regus | (713) 960-0045 | SYS/370/390 SYSTEM SOFTWARE ENGINEERING WUI:REGUSHOU | On Tue, 27 Sep 1994, Frank Schiffel, Jr. wrote: > Well, they both were collection systems. > > 1. I think PAVE PAWS and other BMEWS systems are still hooked up to NORAD > as part of their SPADATS system for just regular space track. Otherwise, > there would be gaps in coverage. > > 2. Glomar Explorer was designed and built by the skunk works. Don't know > exactly how much. There was a book or 2 on it in the 70s when the cover > was blown. Best was The Jennifer Project which is out of print. There have > also been some references in the espionage literature that a defected > Soviet was involved in some of the retrieval and helped CIA in determining > what they had. > > 3. Seems sort of strange to think of TU-144 and Concorde to be used by US. > Both were not economical to run. Not that the SR-71 was cheap, but for a > man-rated system that could go anywhere and change sensor systems out, > it was still a lot better than satellites. Especially if the KH-13 did > really exist and it really was cancelled by Reagan, giving no real > ability to move, get lots of real time and have other great state of the > art increases. > > Anybody know of other than 3 SR-71s that are availalbe to be flown? I heard > 50s as production level and this was depleted down to 3 or so. NASA got > them. Heard that there are lots and lots of spare parts and systems. > > I've heard no losses to hostile fire, but maybe we just flew the hell out > of the airframe. May be interesting to know when and why some aircraft were > taken out of service. > > regards, > > frank ------------------------------ From: Operhal@osuunx.ucc.okstate.edu Date: Tue, 27 Sep 94 21:15:13 CDT Subject: PAVE PAWS I just dug up some of the information I posted earlier. There are currently four PAVE PAWS sites: 6th Space Warning Squadron -- Cape Cod AS, Mass 7th Space Warning Squadron -- Beale AFB, CA 8th Space Warning Squadron -- Eldorado AS, TX 9th Space Warning Squadron -- Robins AFB, GA These units are all part of the 21st Space Wing which is headquarters at Peterson AFB, Colo. According to a fact sheet that I have PAVE is an Air Force program name (as many of your know) and PAWS stands for Phased Array Warning System. Here is what the fact sheet has to say about the system itself: "The main difference between PAVE PAWS and conventional radar is that PAVE PAWS is steered electronically. The phased array radar incorporates nearly 3600 small, active antenna elements coordinated by two computers. One computer is on-line at all times and the sceond computer will automatically take over if the first fails. The computers feed energy to the antenna units in precise, controlled patterns, allowing the radar to detect objects at very high speeds since there are no mechanical parts to limit the speed of the radar sweep. The PAVE PAWS radar can electronically change its point of focus in milliseconds, while conventional dish-shaped radar may take up to a minute to mechanically swing from one area to another. "...PAVE PAWS radar beams reach out for approximately 3000 nautical miles in a 240 degree sweep. At this extreme range, it can detect an object the size of a small automobile. Smaller objects can be detected at closer range. "The primary mission of the PAVE PAWS is to provide warning and attack assessment of sea-launched ballistic missile and intercontinental missile attack against the continental United States and southern Canada...The unit also provides surveillance, as well as tracking and space object identification support for space surveillance operations." Hopefully that sheds some light on PAVE PAWS. In regards to OTH-B (I meant backscatter, I just forgot what I was typing :) ), my information indicates that the Air Force has deactivated the site in Maine as well as a companion site in Idaho. (the site in Maine was located at Bangor IAP and the site in Idaho was located at Mountain Home AFB.) Not enough money to fund them with the shrinking defense budgets. The Air Force originally intended to field four OTH-B sites. This however failed to materialize. Here is some general info from an Air Force fact sheet: "The OTH-B radar uses high-frequency radio waves that refract in the ionosphere and return to Earth at over the horizon ranges (500 to 1800 miles from the radar). This is the same principle that allows ham radio operators to talk to each other around the world. The radio energy reflects off aircraft and returns to the radar via the same ionospheric path as the transmitted energy. The radar avoids other users of the high-frequency band by using a very narrow range of frequencies at any time. The radar also switches to a clear part of the band if any other users intrudes." Hope the information is helpful. RICHARD M. OPERHALL operhal@osuunx.ucc.okstate.edu ------------------------------ From: "JOE P." Date: Wed, 28 Sep 1994 08:39:58 -0400 (EDT) Subject: Beam Bending Propagation projects Quite a number of years ago, a friend of mine long since lost track of, was working on a project which might have had some implications in this Over The Horizon radar discussion. It seems that the crux of the project involved pumping large power levels of one frequency RF signal into a region of the atmosphere, not sure if it was troposphere or ionosphere, with the purpose of agitating the area illuminated so that it would more predictably reflect another separate signal which was the signal actually used to convey or gather the information desired. I knew of at least two engineers who worked with various projects involving RF signal gathering, one in Alaska and one in Puerto Rico. One of these two gentlemen also worked on another project in some site that I either don't remember or never knew. This project also had to do with propagation or beam bending mid frequency RF signals. These projects would have occurred probably late 70's or early 80"s. It is possible, but less likely, that the projects started mid 70's. One fellow worked with RCA but I do not recall who employed the other gentleman. Direct from the halls of Edinboro University - (814) 732-2484 and directly from the terminal of, - 142 Miller Bldg. - Edinboro Univ. Joe Pyrdek pyrdek@vax.edinboro.edu - Edinboro PA 16444 ------------------------------ From: John Regus Date: Wed, 28 Sep 1994 10:24:03 -0500 (CST) Subject: Re: Beam Bending Propagation projects Weren't these projects part of the original DEW line early warning system? John F. Regus | (713) 960-0045 | SYS/370/390 SYSTEM SOFTWARE ENGINEERING WUI:REGUSHOU | On Wed, 28 Sep 1994, JOE P. wrote: > Quite a number of years ago, a friend of mine long since lost track > of, was working on a project which might have had some implications > in this Over The Horizon radar discussion. > > It seems that the crux of the project involved pumping large power > levels of one frequency RF signal into a region of the atmosphere, > not sure if it was troposphere or ionosphere, with the purpose of agitating > the area illuminated so that it would more predictably reflect > another separate signal which was the signal actually used to > convey or gather the information desired. > > I knew of at least two engineers who worked with various projects > involving RF signal gathering, one in Alaska and one in Puerto Rico. > One of these two gentlemen also worked on another project in some > site that I either don't remember or never knew. This project also > had to do with propagation or beam bending mid frequency RF signals. > > These projects would have occurred probably late 70's or early 80"s. > It is possible, but less likely, that the projects started mid 70's. > One fellow worked with RCA but I do not recall who employed the > other gentleman. > > > Direct from the halls of Edinboro University - (814) 732-2484 > and directly from the terminal of, - 142 Miller Bldg. > - Edinboro Univ. > Joe Pyrdek pyrdek@vax.edinboro.edu - Edinboro PA 16444 ------------------------------ From: Alistair M Henderson Date: Wed, 28 Sep 94 17:28:56 BST Subject: Re: Air International TR-3A Article and RAF Mildenhall >I live close to RAF Mildenhall >home of the now disbanded Det.4 of the 9th SRW. There is a lot of building >work going on close to the two barns used by the SR-71's. As the USAF's role >in Europe has drastically reduced I am somewhat surprised by this. Also a >long mound of earth has been put down obstructing the view from the road >that runs alongside this area of the base. This may just be a convienient >place to dispose of excess soil generated by the construction work but >perhaps its been done for security >reasons. Any comments? You may also notice that a new hangar is slowly taking shape close to those which currently house the KC-135s. All this work is connected with the moving in of the 69th SOG comprising the MC-130Hs of 7th SOS, HC-130N/Ps of 67th SOS and MH-53Js of 21st SOS. The a/c are being moved from RAF Alconbury near Cambridge which is closing. Apparently, the crews are not too happy with this new arrangement, they were much happier at RAF Woodbridge where it was far more difficult for prying eyes to see what they were up to. Mildenhall isn't exactly the most secretive of bases! Ali Henderson. Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh ceeamh@caledonia.hw.ac.uk ------------------------------ From: phil@sonosam.wisdom.bubble.org (Phil Verdieck ) Date: Wed, 28 Sep 1994 08:13:25 -0400 (EDT) Subject: Black Crow > > BLACK (Intelligence gathering projects ?): > - ------------------------------------------ > Black Crow ==> Equipment to detect the ignition systems of > piston engines. Fitted to AC-130 gunships. This was used to find Russian built (or designed and North Vietnamese built) trucks during Vietnam. For what, you ask? For locating convoys running at night on the Ho Chee Minh trail... Phil V. ------------------------------ From: "Scott MacEachern" Date: Wed, 28 Sep 94 16:07:08 MDT Subject: Re; Senior Citizen and other designations Another interesting list of programe designators from Kathryn and Andreas Gehrs-Paul. May I add my two cents (please keep in mind this is from memory, so I may make mistakes): (1) COBRA may involve TELINT and more generally surveillance of missile testing; thus COBRA JUDY and COBRA DANE are ship- and land-based radar systems with that primary purpose. (2) I think that Black Hole (Ocarina) is a commercial/test designation for the IR suppression system you mention. BLACK SPOT probably did not involve conversion of C-119K to AC-123K aircraft; this would be a major (!) conversion. (3) The ...EYE series actually contains a number of other weapons: the Mk 12 Padeye BZ incapacitant dispenser; the Mk 17 Gladeye and the Sadeye and Weteye chemical weapons (the latter designation may refer to the effects of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors on humans...); and the Mk 122 Fireye fire bomb. I don't know if these were all China Lake projects. (4) The CLASSIC (WIZARD/OUTBOARD/OUTRIGGER/BULLSEYE) and OUTLAW (SHARK/HAWK/BANDIT/HAWKEYE/HUNTER/PROWLER/STORY TELLER) programmes are surveillance/C3I US Navy projects; see Norman Friedman's World Naval Weapons Systems. Interesting stuff. Apologies if I'm a bit off topic. Scott MacEachern ------------------------------ From: Kathryn & Andreas Gehrs-Pahl Date: Fri, 30 Sep 1994 09:20:50 -0400 (EDT) Subject: Gunships That _List_the_Code_Names_Game_ is kinda fun, so here are the gunship programs (I know of), and a list of Wild Weasel programs follows soon. Gunships - -------- There were many pre-Vietnam gunship-like aircraft -- not only in the USA -- and even more helicopter during and after this war. I will concentrate here on USAF and USMC fixed-wing gunships, starting with the early '60s. Project Tailchaser: Convair (A)C-131B - ------------------------------------- First test flights with armed C-131B, serial 53-7820, at Eglin AFB, 08/1964, with General Electric 7.62 mm SUU-11A/A Gatling Minigun. Project Gunship (I): Douglas C-47, FC-47D, AC-47D - ------------------------------------------------- Tests were continued with a similar armed C-47D 44-8462 _Terry_&_Pirates_ at Eglin AFB in 1964. The first real FC-47D was 43-48579 _"Puff"_ (often called Puff the Magic Dragon), ferried back from Nha Trang to Bien Hoa, and fitted with 3 GE Miniguns, a Mark 20 Mod 4 sight (from A-1E Skyraider), VHF/UHF/FM radios, TACAN, IFF, 45 flares (200,000 candlepower) and 24,000 rounds of ammunition. Converted in 10/1964, and used by the 4th Air Commando Squadron. In Spring 1965 a second C-47D was converted in the same way. Four other were later armed with ten .30 calibre machine guns, Type M-2 Browning air-cooled. One of them was 43-48491 _'Git-Em'_Bullet_, another was _Grunt_2_ and one may have had the serial '36440' (?). Three were operational with the 4th ACSq. and one was used for crew training at the Forbes AFB. All 6 original FC-47D were later redesignated AC-47D. Air International at Miami, FL, converted 20 more C-47 to AC-47D, which were used from Fall 1965 by the 4th ACSq. The early six were returned to Clark AFB, refitted and camouflaged. The 4th ACSq. became part of the 14th SOW, which was known as 'Antique Wing'. AC-47s were flown by the 3rd SOSq. (tailcode EL) and 4th SOSq (tailcode EN), both part of the 14th SOW, and by the 432nd TFW at Udorn RTAB (tailcode OS). Their call sign in Vietnam was _SPOOKY_. Known serials are: 43-48072, 43-48491 _'Git-Em'_Bullett_, 43-48579 _"Puff"_, 43-48701, 43-48801, 43-49274, 43-49852, 44-76534, 44-76985, 45-927. Partially known serials are: 'OS 43-010', '43-263', 'EN 770' _Spooky_, 'EN 354', 'EN 859', and '717' _Delta_Queen_, and 10 other serials are missing. Also the first armed C-47D was 44-8462 _Terry_&_Pirates_. One reported serial '36440' may be wrong (couldn't find any, it is not one of the following 42-36440, 43-36440, 44-36440, 43-x6440). 18 AC-47D were given in 1969 to the VNAF, and at least 11 went to the Royal Laotian AF. - - Other C-47, working close together with AC-47Ds were four types of EC-47s: EC-47D, which were C-47D, converted to ECM / ELINT aircraft, EC-47N, which were C-47A converted as ECM / ELINT aircraft, with R-1830-90D or -92 engines, EC-47P which were C-47D, converted to ECM / ELINT aircraft, with R-1830-90D or -92 engines, and EC-47Q which were C-47A and C-47D, converted to ECM / ELINT aircraft re-engined with R-2000-4 engines. These aircraft were also used as sensor relay aircraft, and to monitor and home on to VC radio traffic. After pinpointing a target, they called the _Spooky_ gunships. USAF units using EC-47s during the Vietnam conflict were the 14th SOW "Antique Wing", with the 5th SOSq. (tailcode EO) and the 9th SOSq. (tailcode ER), the 432nd TEWS (tailcode AN) and the 360th TEWS (tailcode maybe AJ ?). Partially known serials were: EC-47N 'AN 42-645', EC-47 'AJ 331'. Nose arts seen were: EC-47N _Beep!_Beep!_ Some EC-47s were later given to the VNAF. Project Gunship II: Lockheed AC-130A - ------------------------------------ The prototype for the best known gunships at all, was a C-130A 54-1626 named by the crew _Vulcan_Express_, equipped with four 7.62 mm General Electric XMU-470 Minigun Modules, four 20 mm General Electric M61 Vulcan Gatling cannons, a Night Observation Device (NOD) or Starlite Scope, a 'bread board' computer, and a 20 kW searchlight at Wright-Patterson AFB, and redesignated JC-130A. It was later known as _Super_Spooky_ and served also with the 4950th Test Wing. This aircraft, a short nose Hercules, was tested at Eglin AFB from 06/1967 to 09/1967, and was then deployed to Nha Trang AB at 09/20/1967. It flew its first operational mission seven days later. The aircraft was a great succsess, and LTV E-Systems at Greenville, TX, got a contract to modify seven early model JC-130A to similar AC-130A, but equipped with better Texas Instruments AN/AAD-4 FLIR, Singer-General Precision fire control computer and a Texas Instruments Moving Target Indicator (MTI), and other equipment to reach current C-130A production standard. Four were finally deployed to Vietnam in late 1968, and the other went to the 16th SOSq. (tailcode FT) at Ubon RTAB in 05/1969. These seven aircraft were painted black overall and also known as _Plain_Janes_, to distinguish them from the single _Surprise_Package_ AC-130A and the _Pave_Pronto_ AC-130As. The 4413th CCTS, 4410th CCTW (tailcode IH) was later redesignated the 415th SOTSq., 1st SOW at Hurlbert AFB, FL (tailcode AH) and was charged with the training of all AC-130 crews. Apparently, some of the _Plain_Jane_ aircraft were later updated to the _Pave_Pronto_ standard, including 54-1630 and 56-0490. _Gunship_II_ JC-130A-LM serial was: 54-1626 _Vulcan_Express_ / _Super_Spooky_, (first painted white over grey, and later in three-tone camouflage). _Plain_Jane_ AC-130A-LM serials were: 53-3129, 54-1625, 1627, 1628, 1629 (the first AC-130 casualty -- two crew member killed 05/24/1969 when she crashed at Ubon after being hit over Laos), 1630 _Azarel_-_Angel_of_Death_ (3 mission markings during _Desert_Storm_). _Plain_Jane_ AC-130A-7-LM serial was: 56-0490 _Thor_. Other nose arts were: _Mors_de_Caelis_ (Death from Above). Project Surprise Package: Lockheed AC-130A - ------------------------------------------ A single AC-130A was equipped by the Gunship System Program Office at Wright- Patterson AFB with two 40 mm Bofors cannons in place of the aft pair of 20 mm Vulcans, General Electric ASQ-145 Low Level Light TV (LLLTV) and a Konrad AVQ-18 laser designator/rangefinder, and a new AYK-9 digital fire control computer. The aircraft was an even greater success! _Surprise_Package_ AC-130A serial was: unknown, see _Project_Pave_Pronto_. Project Pave Pronto: Lockheed AC-130A - ------------------------------------- LTV E-Systems was awarded another contract, covering nine more AC-130As, all based on the _Surprise_Package_ design. The only additional equipment carried was an AN/ASD-5 _Black_Crow_ Direction Finder Set to find the emissions of the ignition system of Russian truck engines. These aircraft were first painted in the typical Vietnam three-tone camouflage scheme, but later the underside and the sides were painted black. AC-130As often carried ALQ-87 ECM pods or SUU-42A/A Ejector Pods (starboard for flares, port for chaff) under the wings. During _Operation_Desert_Storm_, six AFRES AC-130A of the 711th SOSq., 919th SOG, from Duke Field, FL, were deployed (probably under _Operation_ Proven_Force_ to Turkey: 54-1623, 1630, 55-0011, 0014, 0029, and 56-0509. _Pave_Pronto_ AC-130A-LM serials were: 54-1623 _Ghost_Rider_, 55-0011, 0014 _Jaws_of_Death_ (20 mission markings during _Desert_Storm_), 0029 (the first loss, crashed at Ubon RTAB after AAA hit on 05/29/1969), 0040, 0043, 0044. _Pave_Pronto_ AC-130A-20-LM serial was: 55-0046. _Pave_Pronto_ AC-130A-6-LM serial was: 56-0469. _Pave_Pronto_ AC-130A-7-LM serial was: 56-0509. One of the serials belongs to the original _Surprise_Package_ aircraft. - - Three AC-130A were lost during the Vietnam conflict, one to AAA, on to a shoulder launched SA-7 _Grail_ over South Vietnam, and one over Laos to an SA-2 _Guideline_. With F-4 Phantom driver, the AC-130 Hercules gunships was known as the _Fabulous_Four_Engined_Fighter_. - - Other interesting C-130As were the so called _Blind_Bat_ night FAC aircraft, which initially tested all the FLIR, LLLTV and _Black_Crow_ systems, later used on AC-130A gunships. Serials for C-130A _Blind_Bat_ flareships: unknown. Project Pave Spectre (I): Lockheed AC-130E - ------------------------------------------ Because of the airframe limitations of old C-130A Hercules, a new program evolved, using low-time C-130E as basis for the gunship conversion. Eleven C-130E were converted with the same equipment and the same armament as the _Pave_Pronto_ AC-130A, becoming the _Pave_Spectre_ AC-130Es. The first aircraft arrived in Ubon on 10/25/1971, and they were operational with the 16th SOSq. their whole operational life. In 1973, some aircraft began arriving at Ubon in a new overall Flat Black paint scheme in place of the old gloss Black and camouflage scheme. One AC-130E, 69-6571, was lost in combat, before the _Pave_Spectre_II_ program started, probably shot down over Laos by an SA-2 _Guideline_. _Pave_Spectre_ AC-130E-LM serials were: 69-6567 to 6577. Project Pave Aegis: Lockheed AC-130E - ------------------------------------ Under the _Pave_Aegis_ program, all AC-130Es were supposed to be equipped with an 105 mm howitzer, replacing one 40 mm L-60 Bofors, but many where updated directly to _Pave_Spectre_II_, including the _Pave_Aegis_ modifications. Project Pave Spectre II: Lockheed AC-130H - ----------------------------------------- Beginning in 1973, all but one AC-130E were re-engined with new Allison T56-A-15 turboprops, equipped with the latest radio and avionics gear, and redesignated AC-130H _Pave_Spectre_II_. During _Operation_Desert_Storm_, five AC-130H of the 16th SOSq., 1st SOW, Hurlburt Field, FL, were deployed to Saudi Arabia: 69-6567 (which was lost on 01/31/1991 probably to a hand-held SAM - all 14 crew killed), 69-6569, 69-6570, 69-6572, and 69-6576. _Pave_Spectre_II_ AC-130H-LM serials were: 69-6567 to 6570, and 6572 to 6577. - - Starting in 1973, all AC-130A, and AC-130H were painted overall gunship Grey, and were sometimes referred to as _Grey_Ghosts_. The call sign for most AC-130 during Vietnam was _SPECTRE_. Project (Pave Spectre III ?): Lockheed AC-130U - ---------------------------------------------- In 1986, another Hercules gunship program was initiated, and the resulting aircraft was designated AC-130U. Twelve aircraft were procured from Lockheed, and modified by Rockwell International with improved guns, AN/AAQ-117 FLIR, new ALLTV, better ECM systems, GPS, sat-coms and AN/APG-180 strike radar. They are tested by the 418th TESTS at Edwards AFB, CA. The AC-130Us are also known as _U_boats_. Known serials of AC-130U: 87-0125 to 0128. Eight others are unknown to me. Most gunships were built and used during Vietnam, but AC-130 Hercules served also - 1979 in Iran: _Operation_Eagle_Claw_, - 1983 in Grenada: _Operation_Urgent_Fury_, - 1989 in Panama: _Operation_Just_Cause_, - 1990/91 in Iraq: _Operation_Desert_Storm_, - 1993/94 in Somalia: _Operation_I_forgot_, - 1993/1994 in Bosnia-Herzogowina: _Operation_Deny_Flight_, and - 1994 in Haiti: _Operation_Whats_The_Name_ right now. Project Gunship III: Fairchild AC-119G, AC-119K - ----------------------------------------------- Fairchild-Hiller (later Fairchild-Republic) converted 26 C-119G to AC-119G at St. Augustine, FL. Armed with four 7.62 mm SUU-11A/1A minigun pods. Later aircraft got General Electric MXU-470 minigun modules. They were also fitted with an AVQ-8 20kW Xenon light, Night Observation Sight, LAU-74A flare launcher, armor, APU, fire control computers, APR-25 and APR-26 radar warning receiver / ECM-gear. They were used by the 71st SOSq. from 05/1968, until they became part of the 14th SOW as the 17th SOSq. Their call sign in Vietnam was _SHADOW_. Known serials were: 52-5892 _Charlie_Chasers_, 5898, 5905, 5907, 5925, 5927, 5938, 5942, 53-3136, 3145, 3170, 3178, 3189, 3192, 3205, 7833, 7848, 7851, 7852, 8114, 8115, 8123, 8131, 8155 and two others. Other nose art was: _City_of_Columbus_ /_Indiana_/_Shadow_, _Midnite_Special_. - - Fairchild also converted 26 C-119G to AC-119K. The prototype was 53-3187. They were first brought to C-119K standard (including J85-GE-17 jet engines in underwing pods) then brought to AC-119G standard and then two M61A1 20 mm Gatling guns, AN/APN-147 Doppler terrain following radar, AN/AAD-4 FLIR, AN/APQ-133 side-looking beacon tracking radar, and AN/APQ-136 search radar was added specifically for the truck-hunting role. After testing, the first was delivered 11/03/1969 to the 18th SOSq. at Nha Trang and were part of the 14th SOW. The 1st SOW (tailcode AH) flew also AC-119K. Their call sign in Vietnam was _STINGER_ (after the two M61A1 Vulcans). The serials were: 52-5864, 5889, 5910, 5911, 5926, 5935, 5940, 5945, 9982, 53-3154 _Good_Grief_The_Pea-nut_Special_, 3156, 3187, 3197, 3211, 7826, 7830, 7831, 7839, 7850, 7854, 7877, 7879, 7883, 8121, 8145, and 8148. Other nose art was: _The_Super_Sow_, _The_Polish_Cannon_, _Fly_United_, and _Mon.....a's_Revenge_. Some AC-119G and a few AC-119K were turned over to the VNAF in 1971. Project Black Spot: NC-123K, AC-123K - ------------------------------------ Fairchild-Hiller modified 183 C-123B to C-123K with two additional J85-GE-17 jet engines in underwing pods. Two of them were then modified for a test program by LTV E-Systems in 03/1966 to NC-123K. The nose was extended by 57.75 inches to house an X-band Forward Looking Radar (same as in F-104J). Just aft of the new radome was a turret with FLIR, LLLTV and laser range- finder / illuminator. Also a low-level Doppler navigation radar and weapons release computer were installed. The aircraft were equipped with 12 chute dispenser in a container in the aft cargo compartment. (The aircraft was supposed to carry two of these stacked over each other, but the heavy load reduced the range nearly to 'Zero'). Each chute could carry three CBUs. Depending on the type of CBU loaded, 2,600 to 6,300 one pound bomblets were carried. The first aircraft, 54-691, was delivered to Eglin AFB in 08/1967 and the second, 54-698, incorporating an AN/ASD-5 _Black_Crow_ direction finder set (engine ignition sensor), was delivered in 02/1968. The _Black_Spot_ aircraft were often referred to either as AC-123K or as NC-123K. They became operational in 1968 and flew 28 operational missions between 08/19/1968 and 10/23/1968 in the South Korean Sea, trying to stop infiltration from North into South Korea by sea. But no bad guys were caught. From 11/14/1968 to 05/11/1969 the aircraft were used in Vietnam to fly night missions over the Ho Chi Minh Trail. During this time, they flew 186 missions, destroyed 415 trucks and damaged 273 more. They also attacked boats in the Mekong Delta. They were later assigned to the 16th SOSq. at Udon RTAB. On 05/11/1969 ECM and RAHW gear was installed, and the first aircraft, 54-691, got also a _Black_Crow_ system. They continued their mission from late 1969 till 06/1970 from Udon, often with night fighter escorts, because of heavy anti-aircraft fire. Both aircraft were later refitted to standard C-123K at Monthan-Davis AFB, AZ (the storage code 'CP024' was assigned to 54-698). Both aircraft retained their unique wrap-around camouflage and served as normal transports. Serials were: 54-691 and 54-698. - - Other interesting special operations (test) Provider were: - - One NC-123B 'Light Ship' with 28 very big, very bright retractable lights in the cargo compartment, which could light a 2 mile diameter area on the ground from 12,000 ft altitude. - - One NC-123B (55-4528) with a radome above the cockpit and infrared sensors mounted under the fuselage, to detect trucks on the Trail. Used also the wrap-around camouflage of NC-123Ks. - - One NC-123B (54-652) with a nose mounted infrared sensor. This was the first "anti-trail" aircraft to operate over the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Painted Dark Gull Gray, and carried VNAF insignia in a placard holder. - - One C-123B (54-683) was equipped with a "Fulton Device" mounted on the nose. The aircraft was assigned to the 4410th Special Operations Training Group, Hurlbert Field, FL, 1968. Project Pave Gat: Martin Marietta RB-57G - ---------------------------------------- One _Tropic_Moon_3_ RB-57G 'Night Intruder' (ex B-57B) was equipped with a three-barrel 20 mm cannon under the belly. The system was not deployed to SEA for operational tests. Serial was: 53-3906. The Lockheed SP-2H AP-2H, OP-2E: - -------------------------------- In 1967 four SP-2H were field modified with multiple Miniguns mounted at various angles in the bomb bay, which created a spray effect when fired. BuAeros: unknown. The only other known thing is that one was overall black, one was green, and the two others were overall grey. - - In 1966 Lockheed started to modify four SP-2H under the TRIM (Trails and Road Interdiction, Multisensor) program as gunships. The ASW radome and the MAD tail were removed, and in place of the MAD boom, a twin 20mm cannon was installed. The place of the ASW radar was occupied by an AN/APQ-92 search radar in an external pod / radome. LLLTV and FLIR were mounted in a chin fairing under the nose. A removable, large SLAR (Side-Looking Airborne Radar) was mounted in a pod, like on an OV-1D, on both sides of the aircraft, aft of the wing trailing edge on the fuselage. Also an Airborne Moving Target Indicator, DIANE (Digital Integrated Attack and Navigation Equipment), and an AN/ASD-5 _Black_Crow_ truck ignition sensor were employed, of which much was later used by A-6C TRIM Intruders. Two forward firing 7.62 mm SUU-11A/1A Minigun pods, two Mk.82 500 lb. GP bombs, and two Mk.77 incendiary bombs were mounted on the wings, outside the engines. They also used special 'sound suppression muffler pipes' for the J34-WE-36 jet engines and flame dampener at the piston engines. Between 09/01/1968 and 06/16/1969 the four aircraft flew over 200 missions with VAH-21 from Cam Rahn Bay against road and river traffic in the Mekong Delta area. Some missions were flown against the Ho Chi Minh Trail, and inside Laos and Cambodia. They returned back to ConUS in 1969 and were placed in storage at Davis-Monthan AFB, after being demodified. All but one (displayed at the Pima AFB Museum) were scrapped. BuAerNos: 135620 ('SL 1'), 148353 ('SL 2'), 148337 ('SL 3') _Napalm_Nellie_, and another ('SL 4') _Iron_Butterfly_. - - Lockheed also prepared twelve SP-2E for conversion to OP-2E, by updating them to SP-2H standard. They were then converted at China Lake into OP-2Es, by removing the MAD tail and installing a blunt bulkhead with AN/ALE-29 Chaff Dispenser in it. Under the tail were a rearward looking camera, and under the nose was mounted a large radome housing an AN/APQ-131 radar. The mission of the OP-2E was to drop ADSID seismic sensors over the Ho Chi Minh Trail, which were carried on multiple ejector racks under the wings and other sensors were carried in the bomb bay. The aircraft were also equipped with SUU-11A/1A Minigun pods under the wings. The aircraft were deployed with VO-67 at Nakhon Phanom AB, Thailand, and the sensor drop missions were part of _Project_Igloo_White_. Acoustic sensors like _Spikebouy_ and _Acoubouy_ were dropped too, and the signals were relayed by QU-22B or EC-121R aircraft to gunships. After the OP-2Es were retired and sent back to the US, where they were scrapped, F-4D Phantoms were used to drop the sensors under _Project_Igloo_White_. BuAerNos: 131423 ('MR 10'), 131455 ('MR 6'), 131462, 131525, 131528 ('MR 1'), and 7 others. - - Several AP-2E (ex P2V-5F) ECM / SIGINT Neptunes were used by the US Army 1st Radio Research Company, out of Cam Rahn Bay from 07/1967 to 04/1972, and also relayed sensor data. BuAerNos: 131429, 131458, 131485, 131492, 131496, 131526, 131531, and others. The North American YOV-10D NOGS: - -------------------------------- Two OV-10A were converted to YOV-10D NOGS (Night Observation GunShip) for the night FAC and interdiction role. The nose was extended about three feet to fit a Hughes FLIR and a laser target illuminator / rangefinder and the fuselage hardpoints were removed and a General Electric XM-197 three-barrel 20 mm Gatling gun was mounted in a ventral turret. The turret could turn around 360 degree, but the FLIR and the laser were fixed in the forward looking position. Both were test flown and accepted by the USMC in 1970. They were tested at China Lake and later (1971/72) by VMO-2 at Da Nang in Vietnam. Both aircraft used a three-tone camouflage, but were first flown in the standard green over grey camouflage of the USMC. BuAerNos: 155395 (#2) and 155660 (#1). - - The test results are not known, but at least 18 OV-10A were converted to OV-10D NOS (Night Observation System), but without the cannon, even though the turret might be an option. BuAerNos: 155395, 155396, 155409, 155410, 155436, 155451, 155466, 155468, 155470, 155472, 155473, 155479, 155482, 155489, 155492, 155493, 155494, 155502 and maybe others. - - Another OV-10A was tested with an Emerson Electric turret housing a GAU-2B minigun under the fuselage. (BuAerNo: ?) - - The USAF tested 1973 fifteen OV-10A under the Pave Nail program as laser designator (Night FAC) aircraft, modified by LTV E-Systems with a Martin laser pod under the fuselage. One of the aircraft used by the 23rd TASS was 67-14623. Project Credible Chase: Fairchild AU-23A and Helio AU-24A: - ---------------------------------------------------------- The Fairchild AU-23A was a modified Pilatus PC-6 Turbo-Porter, with either a single General Electric XM-197 three-barrel 20 mm Gatling gun, or two General Electric 7.62 mm MXU-470 Minigun modules. In addition, several bombs, napalm or rocket pods could be carried on four underwing and one fuselage hardpoint. The aircraft was dubbed 'Peacemaker'. Fifteen of the 17 converted were sold to the Royal Thai Air Force for COIN missions. Serials were: 72-1304 to 1318, c/n 2050 - 2064, and two others. Of the other 21 aircraft, I have serials for (73-1699, and 74-2073 - 2092), 13 were later (not under the _Project_Credible_Chase_) delivered to the Thai Air Force, and 5 to the Thai Air Police. The Pilatus Porter was also planned to be built in license by Fairchild under the OV-12A designation (20 for USN were cancelled), and 2 Pilatus built UV-20A Chiricahua (79-23253 and 23254) were used by the US Army in Berlin. - - The Helio AU-24A was the gunship version of the H550A Stallion, with a PT6A-114 turboprop, equipped with a General Electric XM-197 three-barrel 20 mm Gatling gun was mounted in the left cargo door. It also had 5 underwing and fuselage hardpoints. Of the 17 built aircraft, fourteen or fifteen were sold to the Cambodian (Khmer) Air Force. Serials were: 72-1319 to 1333. The two prototypes were civil registered 'N9552A' and 'N9551A', of which the second was carrying _four_ AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missiles! The Helio Stallion was also built as U-10 Super Courier (ex L-28). Over 120 were built: L-28A (2, later redesignated U-10A), U-10A (26), U-10B extended range and paratrooper doors (57), U-10D heavier (36), but no U-10C. - - All _Project_Credible_Chase_ aircraft were tested at Eglin AFB, and had US serials and markings prior to delivery to the SEA countries. They were first natural silver and later overall Olive Drab. The RTAF later flew with a two-tone camouflage. The program was conducted around 1970/71. Sources: - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) United States Military Aircraft since 1909 by Gordon Swanborough, Peter M. Bowers Putnam, 1989 ISBN 0-85177-816-X 2) United States Navy Aircraft since 1911 by Gordon Swanborough, Peter M. Bowers Putnam, 1990 ISBN 0-85177-838-0 3) U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909 compiled by John M. Andrade Midland Counties Publications, 1979 ISBN-0-904597-21-0, Softcover ISBN 0-904597-22-9, Hardcover 4) Lockheed Aircraft since 1913 by Rene J. Francillon Putnam / Naval Institute Press, 1982 and 1987 ISBN 0-87021-897-2 5) Gunships - A Pictorial History of Spooky by Larry Davis Squadron Signals Publication - 6032, 1982 ISBN 0-89747-123-7 6) Air War over Southeast Asia - A Pictorial Record - Vol.1 1962-1966 by Lou Drendel Squadron Signals Publication - 6034, 1982 ISBN 0-89747-134-2 7) C-123 Provider in action by Al Adcock Squadron Signals Publication - 1124, 1992 ISBN 0-89747-276-4 8) P2V Neptune in action by Jim Sullivan Squadron Signals Publication - 1068, 1985 ISBN 0-89747-160-1 9) C-130 Hercules - Special Purpose Aircraft - C&M Vol.7 by Ray Leader Detail & Scale / TAB Books Inc., 1987 ISBN 0-8306-8531-6 (Paperback) 10) US Navy & Marine Corps - Air Power Directory World Air Power Journal Editors: David Donald and Jon Lake Aerospace Publishing London / Airtime Publishing, 1992 ISBN 1-874023-26-3 (Aerospace) ISBN 1-880588-02-1 (Airtime) 11) United States Air Force Yearbook 1994 Article: Spectre Stalks the Night by Tim Ripley RAFBFE Publishing, 1994 - -- Andreas - --- --- Andreas & Kathryn Gehrs-Pahl Absolute Software 313 West Court St. #305 schnars@umcc.ais.org Flint, MI 48502-1239 Tel: (810) 238-8469 - --- --- ------------------------------ End of Skunk Works Digest V5 #160 ********************************* To subscribe to skunk-works-digest, send the command: subscribe skunk-works-digest in the body of a message to "majordomo@mail.orst.edu". 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