The Bell UH1 Huey helicopters proved that the concept of air cavalry was feasible during the first days of the Vietnam War. However, their M60 machine guns were not powerful enough to defend the aircraft from the concentration of enemy fire when approaching a landing area or taking off from a hot evacuation zone. And what’s worse, they quickly overheated and were prone to failure.
General Electric then came in and introduced its M134 rotary machine gun, which quickly earned the nickname of ‘The Minigun.’
The gun proved so successful at its role that the Army and Air Force began to fit it into other aircraft, such as the Cobra, which had two Miniguns, and the AC130, which was armed with four and had an astonishing rate of fire of over 14,000 rounds per minute.
Chambered in a 7.62-millimeter cartridge and with no risk of overheating, the Minigun quickly became the ultimate weapon used to clear the Vietnamese jungles.
VIDEO HERE (13:29 minutes)
M60 machine guns quick to overheat and prone to failure. I have fired thousands of rounds through M60s, while gunning on Huey gunships and slicks as well as on Army ranges, much more live than blank, and cannot recall a single failure. Not one. For gunship purposes, I would prefer a minigun over the XM-16 system, 1500-3000 rounds a minute times two, vs 450 per minute times 4.
ReplyDeleteSgtBob, I to put two & half years with the 116th AHC based at the 25th ID base camp at cu Chi. B and C models. Flex gun systems, 40mm nose chunker and my favorite the XM-3 48 shot rocket system known as the HOG. Never had a M-go fail although my crew chief had one lock up in a heavy gun battle. Being was a former Infantryman he had brought hid M-16 and continued the fight. I always loved the 60 as we stripped off the bipods and replaced the shoulder stock and replaced it with the flex gun metal receiver cover. All door guns were hung from the top of the door frame with a rifle sling. If we had to dismount it was quick and easy. But then you already knew this didn't you! Glad we're both here to tell the tales!
Deletethe little birds in the persian gulf
ReplyDeleteI saw somewhere that there are 11 M-134 miniguns legally owned by civilians. Might have been Forgotten Weapons on youtube.
ReplyDeleteThey do come up for sale every once in a while. Very pricey to own. More pricey to shoot!
DeleteCollege roommate had been MI in 'Nam. Use to do "damage assessments" on various weapons systems. After a gunship (DC-3s) or a Cobra team made their passes enemy deaths were "guess-timates" based on the number of rifle barrels/receivers found as there was too little left of humans to count.
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