U.S. ARMY HELICOPTER WEAPON SYSTEMS
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Notes:
1. A blue arrow indicates a photo or line drawing that can be viewed and downloaded.
2. Dates in parentheses (year-1975) represent the approximate dates from development thru production up to the year 1975. Estimated number of units built are based on known production quanties up to 1975, but may not represent the final production quantities if production was continued beyond 1975.

XM1/XM1E1 Armament Subsystem (1960-1972). Both the OH-13 Sioux and the OH-23 Raven could be armed with twin M37C .30 Cal. machine guns mounted on the skids, on the XM1 armament subsystem. The XM1 was flexible in elevation and carried 500 rounds of ammunition per gun. The XM1E1 was the product engineering design. Both the XM1 and XM1E1 saw limited production (450 units were built). XM1E1 limited production was up-gunned to the M60C machine gun on the M2 armament subsystem.
OH-13 Sioux armed with twin M37C .30 Cal. machine guns on XM1 armament subsystem line drawing
H-23D Raven armed with twin M37C .30 Cal. machine guns on XM1 armament subsystem

M2 Armament Subsystem (1961-1972). The OH-13 Sioux and the OH-23 could also be armed with twin M60C 7.62mm machine guns, with 650 rounds of ammunition, mounted on the skids, on the M2 armament subsystem. The guns were electrically controlled, flexible in elevation, and charged pneumatically using high pressure dry air or nitrogen bottles. The M2 was type classified Standard A (1,000 units were built).
OH-13 Sioux armed with twin M60C 7.62mm machine guns on M2 armament subsystem line drawing
OH-23 Raven armed with twin M60C 7.62mm machine guns on M2 armament subsystem line drawing
M60C 7.62mm machine gun on M2 armament subsystem

Eight-tube Rocket Launcher. Two eight-tube 2.75 inch rocket launchers were installed on new UH-1B Hueys as they arrived at Camp Holloway, Pleiku, Republic of Vietnam from late 1963-1964. This system, a predecessor to the XM3 armament subsystem, was used in combination with the M6 7.62mm quad-machine gun mount. For more information and photos, go to Armament Subsystems used at Camp Holloway, Pleiku, 1963-1964.

XM3/XM3E1/M3 Armament Subsystem . UH-1B/UH-1C "Huey" Aerial Rocket Artillery (ARAs) were armed with up to two side-mounting 24-tube 2.75 inch rocket launchers on the M3 armament subsystem. The MK8 reflex sight was used for sighting the M3 rocket launchers. The M3 saw limited production. Also see the Maxwell system (XM3/M22 hybrid) and Armament Subsystems used at Camp Holloway, Pleiku, 1963-1964.
UH-1B ARA with XM3 24-tube 2.75 inch rocket launcher
UH-1B armed with XM3 armament subsystem (Source US Army AMCOM)

M5 Armament Subsystem (1958-1975). The M5 armament subsystem was a flexible, remote controlled, servo-power driven, chin-mounted pod, which held one M75 40mm grenade launcher. The M5 could be mounted on the UH-1B/UH-1C/UH-1M "Huey" and was also used on the ACH-47A "Guns-A-Go-Go ". The M5 carried 150 or 300 rounds of ammunition. Ammunition was fed from a 302 round rotary drum by an ammumition booster, thru a chute, to the grenade launcher. A reflex-type flexible hand control sight mounted above the copilot's seat. A master armament control was accessible to both pilot and copilot. The M5 was type classified Standard A (over 494 units were built).
M5 Helicopter armament subsystem line drawing
M5 gun pod on UH-1B "Huey"
M5 Helicopter armament subsystem
M5 40mm grenade launcher with top cover removed showing ammunition feed chute

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M6 Armament Subsystem (1959-1972). The UH-1B "Huey" could be armed with quad M60C 7.62mm machine guns on the M6 armament subsystem. The M6 was fully flexible, with two guns per side. The M6 carried 1,500 rounds of ammunition per gun. Sighting was done by the copilot using a flexible reflex type sight. The M6, in combination with seven-tube 2.75 inch rocket launchers, was upgraded to the M16 armament subsystem and to the M21 by replacing the quad M60C machine guns with two M134 "miniguns". The M6 was type classified Standard A (444 units were built). Also see Armament Subsystems used at Camp Holloway, Pleiku, 1963-1964.
UH-1D "Huey" with quad M60C 7.62mm machine guns on M6 armament subsystem
Quad M60C 7.62mm machine guns on M6 armament subsystem
M6 quad M60C machine gun mount (with XM21 armament subsystem)

XM8 Armament Subsystem (1967-1972). The XM8 was a Research and Development project for a single M129 40mm grenade launcher that was interchangeable with the port (left) side mounting M27 "minigun" mount on the OH-6A Cayuse and OH-58 Kiowa light observation helicopters. The XM8 held 150 rounds of linked ammunition. An integrated feed system fed ammunition from a spiral wound container thru a chute to the grenade launcher. The electrically driven XM8, which was flexible in elevation, was mechanically-linked to a XM70 reflex sight. Primary sighting was done by the pilot, but controls were also also provided to the copilot.
XM8 40mm grenade launcher on OH-6A Cayuse
XM8 on OH-6A showing ammumition drum and XM70 sight
XM8 armament subsystem for M129 40mm Grenade Launcher

XM11 Armament Subsystem (AMCOM system). The UH-1B "Huey" could be armed with up to six NATO Standard Nord SS-11 wire-guided anti-tank missiles on the XM11 missile launcher. The XM70 sight was used for sighting the XM11 missile launcher. The XM11 saw limited production. The XM11 was replaced by the M22 missile launcher.

XM14 Armament Subsystem (1963-1971). The XM14 (Air Force SUU-12/A) was a Research and Development project for a fixed-mounted gun pod for the M3 .50 Cal. machine gun that could be mounted on the UH-1B/UH-1C "Huey" or on fixed-wing aircraft. The XM14 carried 750 rounds of ammunition. The gun was pneumatically charged. The system was used with the MK20 fixed illuminating sight. The XM14 saw limited production (489 units were built).
XM14 gun pod
M3 .50 cal. machine gun mounted in XM14 gun pod

XM15 Dispensing Subsystem (ARDEC). The XM15 cluster was a Research and Development project for dispensing XM170 flares from the UH-1D/UH-1H "Huey". Each cluster consisted of two six-tube XM18 dispensers held together by dispenser adapters with suspension lugs. One 12-tube cluster could be mounted on each side of the aircraft. Each 2.75 inch tube could hold four XM170 flares, for up to a total of 96 flares per aircraft. Two 12-tube XM15 clusters, attached to a hinged strongback assembly, made up one 24-tube XM165 dispenser. The fixed-mounted dispenser was sighted visually.
XM15 dispenser (two six-tube XM18 dispensers)

M16 Armament Subsystem (1963-1972). The M16 was a combination of M6 flexible quad M60C 7.62mm machine guns and two XM157 or M158/M158A1 seven-tube 2.75 inch rocket launchers for use with the UH-1B/UH-1C "Huey". The M16 was upgraded to the M21 by up-gunning from quad M60C machine guns to M134 high rate of fire machine guns. An M60A1 reflex-type sight was used by the pilot for sighting both guns and rockets. The copilot's sight was for sighting guns only. The M16 was type classified Standard B (461 units were built).
M16 quad M60C machine gun mount with XM157 launcher on HU-1B "Huey"

XM18 Ejection Dispensing Subsystem. The XM18 was a Research and Development project for aft ejection of flares, munitions, or CS grenades from six-tube 2.75 inch launchers mounted on the UH-1B/UH-1C "Huey". One six-tube dispenser could be mounted on each side of the aircraft. Two six-tube XM18 dispensers, held together by a dispenser adaper, made up one 12-tube XM15 dispenser subsystem.
XM18 dispenser on UH-1B "Huey"

M18/M18A1 Armament Subsystem (1963-1975). The M18/M18A1 (Air Force SUU-11A/A/SUU-11B/A) was a fixed-mounted gun pod for the M134 7.62mm "minigun". The gun was electrically driven. Ammunition was fed from a 1,500 rounds capacity linkless MAU-57 storage and feeding drum through a single-ended linkless system which was gear driven by the gun motor. Suspension lugs permitted the gun pod to be mounted on the sides of the AH-1G "Huey" Cobra or on fixed-wing aircraft. An M73E1 reflex-type sight was used for sighting the guns. The M18 was type classified Standard B (over 434 units were built); the M18A1 was type classified Standard A (over 411 units were built).
XM18E1 gun pod (SUU-11A/A)
M134 7.62mm "minigun" mounted in XM18 gun pod

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XM19 Dispensing Subsystem. The XM19 was a Research and Development project for dispensing MK45 flares from the UH-1B/UH-1C/UH-1D/UH-1H "Huey". The XM19, consisting of 24-tubes mounted in the aircraft cargo compartment, was capable of launching up to 24 three-foot long 2,000,000 candle power MK45 flares. Sighting was visual.
XM19 flare dispenser on UH-1B "Huey"

M21 Armament Subsystem (1964-1975). The UH-1B/UH-1C/UH-1M "Huey" could be armed with twin side mounting 7.62mm "miniguns" and two XM157 or two M158/M158A1 seven-tube 2.75 inch rocket launchers on the Emerson M21 armament subsystem. The M21 was an up-gunned M16 which used M134 "miniguns" in place of quad M60C machine guns. The M134 used a MAU-56/A delinking feeder. The pilot used a XM60 reflex-type sight for both guns and rockets. The copilot used a flexible reflex sight which depressed or flexed the "miniguns" only. The M21 was type classified Standard A (over 406 units were built).
UH-1B with side-mounting "minigun" and XM157 rocket launcher on the M21 armament subsystem
UH-1B with M134 "minigun" and M158 rocket launcher on the M21 armament subsystem
M21 armament subsystem with M134 "minigun" and M158 seven-tube rocket launcher
XM21 armament subsystem with XM157 launcher (with M6 quad M60C machine gun mount)
M21 armament subsystem (Pilot's sight) line drawing
M21 armament subsystem (Gunner's sighting station) line drawing

M22 Armament Subsystem (AMCOM). The UH-1B "Huey" could be armed with up to six AGM-22B (formerly SS-11B1) wire-guided anti-tank missiles on the M22 missile launcher. The XM58 sight was used for sighting the M22 missile launcher. The M22 replaced the XM11 missile launcher. The M22 was replaced by the XM26 airborne TOW launcher. The M22 was type classified Standard A. Also see UH-1B Armament Subsystems and the Maxwell system (XM3/M22 hybrid).
UH-1B with AGM-22Bs on M22 guided missile launcher
UH-1B firing NATO Standard AGM-22B anti-tank missile

M23 Armament Subsystem (1964-1975). The M23 armament subsystem is a door pintle mount for the M60D 7.62mm machine gun, equipped with an aircraft ring-type sight, with 550 rounds of ammunition, for use on the UH-1D/UH-1H "Huey". The M23 was type classified Standard A (over 4,316 units were built).
Door mounting M60D 7.62mm machine gun on M23 armament subsystem

M24 Armament Subsystem (1964-1975). The M24 armament subsystem is a door pintle mount for the M60D 7.62mm machine gun, with ring-type sight, with 200 round ammunition boxes, for use on the CH-47A Chinook. The M24 was type classified Standard A (over 610 units were built).
Door mounting M60D 7.62mm machine gun on M24 armament subsystem
CH-47D with M60D 7.62mm machine gun on M24 armament subsystem (Copyright John Hairell )

XM26 Armament Subsystem (AMCOM). In June, 1966 Hughes Aircraft was given an initial Research and Development contract to develop a missile launcher for the wire-guided TOW missile for use on the UH-1B "Huey" to replace the M22 missile launcher. Two three-round pods were mounted on each side of the aircraft. The gunner held the target in sight and directed the missile's flight by wire command. The program was terminated in March, 1968 and efforts were redirected to the TOW/AH-56 Cheyenne program. In 1970 studies were started on development of the XM65 TOW/Cobra armament subsystem for use on the AH-1 series Cobra. On April 14, 1972 the experimental XM26 was rushed to Vietnam to meet the armored threat following the North Vietnamese "Easter" offensive. Also see Operations with XM26 TOW missile system in Kontum and Relief of An Loc. The XM26 system for the Huey was replaced with the deployment of the M65 TOW/Cobra airborne launch system.
UH-1B Huey with XM26 TOW missile system

M27 Armament Subsystem (1965-1975). The M27 armament subsystem is a port (left) side mounting gun mount for the M134 Gatling machine gun (7.62mm "minigun") for use on the OH-6/OH-6A Cayuse or the OH-58A Kiowa. The XM70E1 sight was used for sighting the M134 "minigun". The M134 used the MAU-56/A delinking feeder, with 2,000 rounds of ammunition. The M27 was type classified Standard B (over 917 units were built).
XM27E1 armament subsystem on OH-58A Kiowa
M27 armament subsystem on OH-6A Cayuse
XM27E1 armament subsystem for M134 "Minigun"

M28/M28A1 Armament Subsystem (1966-1975). The M28 (TAT-141)/M28A1 was a twin mount chin-turret for use on the AH-1G "Huey" Cobra. It was developed from the XM64 single "minigun" turret, which evolved from the chin-turret used on the experimental Bell (model 207) Sioux Scout. It could mount either two M134 7.62mm "miniguns", with 4,000 rounds of ammunition each, or two M75 or M129 40mm grenade launchers with 400 rounds each. It could also be configured to mount one M134 and one M129 grenade launcher. This was the preferred configuration since there were problems with the ammunition feed mechanisms when used in the twin-gun or twin-launcher mode. The M28 could be elevated between +20° and -50°. It could traverse 110° to the right or left of center. The M28 featured a rotary 7.62mm ammunition drum which replaced the belt feed system. The M28 saw limited production (954 units were built); the M28A1 was type classified Standard A (over 332 units were built).
XM28E1 armament subsystem on AH-1G "Huey" Cobra
M28A1 armament subsystem on AH-1G Cobra
M28A1 armament subsystem with M129 grenade launcher and M134 "minigun" line drawing

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M28A2/M28A3 Armament Subsystem (1972-1975). The M28A2 armament subsystem was a chin-turret for the AH-1Q, Modified AH-1S, and Production AH-1S Cobras, which mounted the M134 7.62mm "minigun" and the M129 40mm grenade launcher. The M28A2 was type classified Standard A (over 290 units were built). The M28A3 was also type classified Standard A. For some excellent pictures of M28A2 armament subsystem, go to Butch Lottman's AH-1P Cobra page.

XM29 Armament Subsystem (1964-1965). The XM29 armament subsystem was a Research and Development project for a door pintle mount for the M60D 7.62mm machine gun for use on the UH-1B/UH-1C "Huey". Only two prototypes were built.

XM30 Armament Subsystem (1966-1968). The XM30 was a Research and Development project for a flexible twin mount of the XM140 30mm gun on the UH-1B/UH-1C "Huey", with 600 rounds of ammunition per gun.
XM140 30mm gun on XM30 armament subsystem for UH-1C "Huey"

XM31 Armament Subsystem. The XM31 was a Research and Development project for a fixed twin-mount of the M24A1 20mm cannon on the UH-1B "Huey", with 600 rounds of ammunition per gun. The gun was flexible in elevation. Only two prototypes were built.

XM32 Armament Subsystem. The XM32 was a Research and Development project for flank defense for the ACH-47A Armed/Armored Chinook. It included mounts and ammunition boxes for four M2 .50 Cal. machine guns or four M60D 7.62mm machine guns or any mix of the two machine guns.
M2 .50 can. machine gun on window mounting XM32 armament subsystem

XM33 Armament Subsystem. The XM33 was a Research and Development project for mounting an M2 .50 Cal. machine gun or M60D 7.62mm machine gun with ammunition boxes on the loading ramp of the ACH-47A Armed/Armored Chinook.
M2 .50 cal. machine gun on ramp mounting XM33 armament subsystem (Copyright Jerry Barnes, baron67@airmail.net )

XM34 Armament Subsystem. The XM34 was a Research and Development project for a fixed twin mount of the M24A1 20mm cannon with ammunition boxes on the ACH-47A Armed/Armored Chinook.
M24A1 20mm cannon on XM34 armament subsystem

M35 Armament Subsystem (1968-1975). The M35 was a fixed-mount for the M195 six-barrel 20mm automatic gun for mounting on the port (left) side of the AH-1G "Huey" Cobra. The gun was basically a modified M61A1 Vulcan with shorter barrels and a declutching feeder. It automatically cleared itself of all live rounds at the end of each burst. The gun was pilot controlled, but controls were provided so either the pilot or gunner could fire the weapon. Two ammunition cans, containing 950 rounds of ammunition, were faired into the fuselage at the base of the stub wings. The gun has a firing rate of 750 SPM. Sighting was accomplished using the M73 reflex sight. The M35 was type classified Standard B (over 315 units were built).
M35 armament subsystem on AH-1G Cobra
M195 20mm gun on XM35 armament subsystem
M195 20mm gun on M35 armament subsystem

M41 Armament Subsystem (1966-1975). The M41 armament subsystem is a light weight quick removal ramp mount for the M60D 7.62mm machine gun, with ring-type sight, with 200 rounds of ammunition, for use on the CH-47A Chinook (similar to the XM33). The M41 was type classified Standard A (over 340 units were built).
Ramp mounting M41 armament subsystem
M60D 7.62mm machine gun on M41 armament subsystem

XM47 Mine Dispensing Subsystem (ARDEC). The XM47 was a Research and Development project for dispensing four XM2 anti-personnel mines from the UH-1B "Huey". Sighting was visual.
XM47 dispenser on UH-1B "Huey"
XM47 mine dispenser

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