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Patrol Air Cushion Vehicle

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715: 1071:. It sank on 23 November 1971 after only 26 hours of operation in Lake Huron, after the cabin was breached by a rock and the engine inexplicably failed, leading the craft to take on water and sink. After this sinking, one of the two San Francisco ACVs was then transferred to the Great Lakes. Another was transferred to the East Coast, where it performed aids to navigation survey/inspection and search-and-rescue operations on Chesapeake Bay, while the third remained in San Francisco Bay. The Chesapeake ACV was found to be particularly valuable for search-and-rescue operations in marshy or shallow waters. In the final Coast Guard evaluation, Commander Thomas Lutton wrote that "The ACV has dramatically and repeatedly demonstrated its capability to effectively perform a wide range of Coast Guard missions." However, the Coast Guard was in the middle of a large upgrade of its other boats and cutters at the time and so did not have the money to acquire ACVs. As such, the two surviving ACVs were transferred to US Army Mobility Equipment Research and Development Center in 824:, the Navy's operations to deny Viet Cong access to resources in the Mekong Delta and prevent North Vietnamese weapons, fighters, and supplies from entering South Vietnam, respectively. The PACVs were deemed unsuitable for Operation Game Warden because of their "mechanical unreliability" and the limitations imposed on them by terrain. As a result, they were removed from the operation and transferred to another Navy unit, CTF 117. They were also found unsuitable for Market Time operations after serving in that operation from 20 September to 17 October 1966, due to their high noise, low visibility, high cost, and limited utility on the high seas or in narrow waterways. In November 1966, the Navy PACVs were used to great effect in Operation Quai Vat (Vietnamese for "Monster", which was what the Viet Cong called the PACVs). In the operation on the 974:-triggered mine on 9 January 1970. Though no one onboard was killed, 14 men were injured and the attack slowed the pace of ACV operations because of Army regulations stipulating that the hovercraft work in pairs to protect each other. When ACV 901 was destroyed by a command-detonated mine on 3 August 1970, killing three, the ACVs were deactivated. The 39th ACV Platoon ceased operations on 31 August 1970 and officially left Vietnam in September, transferring their sole surviving ACV to the Army Transportation Museum in Virginia. Navy PACVs returned to the continental United States that August as well. In total, Navy PACVs saw more than 4,500 hours of operation. 853:
Vietnam in April. There were only three Navy PACVs and three Army ACVs during the whole Vietnam War. Two of the three ACVs (No. 901 and 902) were Assault Air Cushion Vehicles (AACV), weapons-heavy vessels configured for attack missions, while the other (No. 903) was a Transport Air Cushion Vehicle (TACV) configured for logistics missions. The TACV only carried the twin M60s, forgoing the .50 cal and other weapons to increase space in the cabin for carrying troops. Both AACVs were lost to Viet Cong attacks. Navy PACVs were based out of
597:. The armor was thickest around the engine, transmission, and fuel tanks, providing protection from .50 caliber rounds fired at 200 yards (180 m), while the armor around the crew compartment could only block .30 caliber rounds fired at 100 yards (91 m). To save weight, many crews removed the armor around the crew compartment, and an Army evaluation recommended that it be removed altogether because of it "did not provide any protection to the crew," especially against heavier weapons such as 2495: 809: 801: 659: 959:
ACVs were only operational during June 1969. This maintenance requirement, which was made even worse when the vehicles suffered damage, combined with the insufficient firepower to lead an Army evaluation to conclude that "there is no hope of the unit fighting to a satisfactory conclusion in any large engagement." The PACV was also very expensive, costing about $ 1 million each, as much as 13
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evaluation found that in the Plain of Reeds, "any mission requiring ground operations can best be accomplished by ACV unts," particularly reconnaissance, light assaults, infantry transport, canal security, cordoning off areas to prevent escape, and patrolling. Though the loud noise of the PACVs was an issue, their speed made up for it in this otherwise difficult terrain, especially during the
44: 1033:, enforce laws, clean up oil spills, and ferry personnel and supplies. For minor repairs to buoys, the ACV shortened what was normally a full day mission by a fully crewed ship to a 2-3 hour one by an ACV with three crew members. The ACV was fast enough that it was able to respond to search-and-rescue calls while servicing buoys, something that was not possible for regular 947: 877: 988: 514: 778:, although using small arms was dangerous because spent casings could fall into the propeller. The PACV was used to prevent Viet Cong infiltration from the sea and tidal areas along river mouths and deltas. It was especially useful in shallow marshy areas, especially the Mekong Delta, where other patrol boats such as the 900:
ambushes and raids, especially at night, when it could be easily concealed behind reeds and swamp grass. Although it was too loud to be very effective at surprise attacks, it could use its speed to raid Viet Cong bases and escape before they could react. The PACV was found to be most effective when employed in
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Another downside of the PACV was the degree of maintenance it required: each hour of operation required 20 hours of maintenance, double the 10-hour average for contemporary military helicopters. An Army evaluation found that the PACV had an operationally ready rate of 55.7 percent, and all three Army
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equipment. Coast Guard PACVs were crewed by 3—operator, radar operator and navigator, and search-and-rescue crewman—and could carry 6 passengers and half a ton of cargo. Because it was lighter than the military version, the Coast Guard ACV could go up to 70 knots (81 mph; 130 km/h) and had
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Operating these highly specialized vehicles required pilots and maintenance personnel undergo considerable training, with pilots requiring 75–100 hours of flight experience before participating in combat. Training requirements meant that the Army had to set one craft aside for training for 14 days
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and an equal number of their structures, taking many prisoners, and capturing their supplies. This demonstration of combat prowess in the marshy terrain in southwestern Vietnam formed the basis for stationing the Army ACVs in the Plain of Reeds along the South Vietnamese/Cambodian border. An Army
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were found to be especially effective. The PACV's low profile and radar also meant that it was used as a stealthy stationary radar station when its engines were off. However, Army evaluations found that the ACV had insufficient firepower, being unable to damage armored or fortified targets, and
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The PACV's speed, maneuverability, and firepower lent themselves to many types of missions, including patrolling, search and destroy, escorting other ships, raiding, reconnaissance, medical evacuation, transporting artillery pieces, and providing fire support to infantry. It was best suited for
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The Navy withdrew the PACVs for overhaul in January 1967 and redeployed them to Vietnam in early 1968. Also in 1968, the Army began employing its version of the PACV, the ACV. The Army acquired the vehicles and activated their unit, the 39th Cavalry Platoon, in January before deploying them to
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Two different designs were made: one for the Navy and one for the Army. The Navy's hovercraft, called Patrol Air Cushion Vehicles, more closely resembled the civilian SK-5s that they were based on while the Army craft had more extensive modifications. Each hovercraft was 38 ft 10 in
1037:. However, servicing structures in choppy weather on the open sea was found to be dangerous. The ACV proved particularly effective in the Arctic because it could traverse water and ice equally well at high speeds, although crews did encounter some issues relating to windshield icing. 995:
Following their withdrawal in 1970, the Navy PACVs were transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard for evaluation. The Coast Guard used PACVs, which they called Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs), through 1975, when they cancelled the ACV program due to budget constraints. Two were stationed at
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and other solid obstacles up to 3 feet (0.91 m) high and negotiate slopes of up to 6 feet (1.8 m). However, the PACV did not perform well in the dry season, with an Army evaluation noting that "The wetter the season, the better for vehicle operations".
932:. They also found that it could be too loud to be used effectively for patrol and interdiction missions. Fuel resupply was another frequently cited issue for longer missions, especially given that no adequate method of refueling in the field existed. 1024:
missions because of their speed and range. In over 185 search-and-rescue missions, they towed boats up to 44-foot (13 m) long and recovered survivors from the water and then rushed them to the shore. However, they were also used to service
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sat behind the fans. As a hovercraft, the PACV could skim over water, including shallow and reed-choked waters, flat land, and ice. The PACV/ACV was very fast compared to contemporary watercraft, being capable of speeds up to 60
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The Army hovercraft, called Air Cushion Vehicles, had more extensive modifications. They had heavier armor and reinforced, load-bearing decks. Army ACVs carried 1,000 pounds (450 kg) of armor—roughly equal to that of an
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every month. Troops riding in and on the PACVs also needed training to use them safely: during evaluation, one soldier died when he fell into the hovercraft's intake, and another lost his hand to the propeller.
448:. The PACVs in Vietnam were considered "unsuccessful" in evaluations and were withdrawn in 1970. Following their service in Vietnam, the Navy PACVs returned to the United States where they were used by the 698:
as well. Only one ACV was outfitted with a grenade launcher, however, and the miniguns were removed to make space for more troops and cargo because it was found to be effective only for suppressive fire.
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hovercraft. The SK-5 was adapted for American military use in 1965. Three were purchased by the US Navy for operations in the emerging Vietnam War. Training of PACV crews was performed in the waters off
742:. Often called "Pac Vees", they were armed with a .50 caliber machine gun mounted on a rotating platform in the front and two side-mounted M60 machine guns. In addition, the crew, and often US Army 1044:
24/7, and a special hangar for the ACVs was built at the Coast Guard Station at Fort Point from August 1970 to 1972. The San Francisco ACVs were evaluated for use as a crash/fire rescue vehicle at
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helicopter. This allowed it to be airlifted between forward operating bases or transported back to base when it suffered damage. The PACV could also be split into sections and then transported in
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in 1972, where it was inspected by tens of thousands of international visitors. Over the first two years of evaluation, the Coast Guard ACVs accrued over 1,500 hours of operating time.
832:(CIDG) troops and Army helicopters and special forces, the PACV force brought its speed and firepower to bear on the Viet Cong, killing at least 23 of them, destroying 70 of their 1191:
A 1968 Army evaluation gives a lower figure of 2.1 hours of maintenance per hour of operation, although it also cites the PACV's maintenance requirements as a major downside.
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The PACV was frequently compared to a helicopter because of its speed, terrain crossing ability, maintenance requirements, and cost. Army ACV units operated similarly to
510:) fully loaded. Army and Navy PACVs had a crew of 4—driver, radar operator, and gunners—and could carry up to 12 troops, many of whom rode on the outside of the vehicle. 1134: 2592: 655:
were also sometimes carried to help detect enemies. The radar was found to be very effective, including for navigating in low-visibility and foggy conditions.
1012:. The Coast Guard PACVs were modified to meet their requirements by replacing the .50 cal gun mount with an observation dome and adding a KAAR LN66 radar and 1049: 639:
with a dish antenna, which could detect targets within 24 miles (39 km). Some Army ACVs were fitted with XM3 Personnel Detectors (better known as XM-3 "
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Bland, William; Washabaugh Jr., Donald L.; Adams, Mel (April 2017). "Army Aviation: Quantifying the Peacetime and Wartime Maintenance Man-Hour Gaps".
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of 23 ft 9 in (7.24 m) and a height of 16 ft 6 in (5.03 m) when floating on its air cushion. It weighed 15,660
440:), faster than other watercraft in the conflict. However, it faced major drawbacks, including its high cost of $ 1 million (equivalent to 13 2456: 2418: 966:
Because of their high profile and degree of threat, the PACVs and ACVs in Vietnam became major targets. The Viet Cong used ambushes and
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raids conducted out of Moc Hoa in November 1966 caught the Viet Cong by surprise and resulted in many Viet Cong deaths.
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in May 1966 as PACV Division 107, Task Force 116, where they were used by the Navy for riverine patrol missions in the
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for lift. The transmission served to link the engine and lift fan so that the fan could provide lift and thrust. Twin
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in 1972 and were found to be successful. One of the San Francisco-based ACVs was showcased by the Coast Guard at the
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The Army ACVs had other improvements over the Navy PACVs beyond their additional armor, namely a wider cockpit, more
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Air Cushion Vehicle Evaluation: San Francisco, CA, Great Lakes, Chesapeake Bay, 1 September, 1971-30 June,1972
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operations alongside helicopters, artillery, and other watercraft; patrol missions conducted in concert with
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Patrol Air Cushion Vehicles (PACV) used in Vietnam in conjunction with Bell UH-1 Iroquois Huey helicopters
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and operated by Task Forces 116 and 117. The three Army ACVs were operated by the 39th Cavalry Platoon,
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The PACV's relatively light weight of only seven tonnes meant that it could be easily carried by a
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United States Coast Guard Air Cushion Vehicle ACV Tests 1971 Hovercraft Air Cushion Vehicle 50894
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between 1966 and 1970. Six hovercraft were built, three for the Army and three for the Navy.
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meant that it could operate unimpeded in the shallow and reed-choked waters widespread in
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Two Army ACVs were lost in combat in Vietnam and one Coast Guard ACV sank in an accident
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against the PACVs. Mines proved especially effective: Army ACV 902 was destroyed by a
2571: 2048: 1762: 1610: 1558:"United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam: Command History 1970, Volume IV" 1318: 901: 578: 417: 272: 1413: 658: 1177: 885: 763: 739: 735: 503: 469: 428:. The PACV was also found to be valuable because of its unusually high speed of 60 421: 348: 164: 684:, one port and one starboard. The Army initially equipped their hovercraft with a 2547: 1317:(Technical report). US Army Combat Development Command. AD849055. Archived from 1089: 1030: 1005: 936: 917: 905: 821: 747: 674: 632: 566: 526: 429: 406: 402: 324: 245: 232: 180: 43: 2338: 2305: 2105: 2061: 1775: 1349: 1343:
Commander U.S. Naval Forces Vietnam: Monthly Historical Supplement, March 1968
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became proponents of the PACVs, using them in many of their early operations.
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Army ACV 903 undergoing pre-deployment testing shortly after being built
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As part of the evaluation, the ACV at Point Barrow was transferred to
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1,000 lbs. armor around crew cabin, engine, and fuel tanks (ACV only)
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Men of the 9th Infantry Division repair a damaged PACV, 18 July 1968
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300 nautical miles (560 km; 350 mi) in Coast Guard service
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Brown Water, Black Berets: Coastal and Riverine Warfare in Vietnam
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were located amidships. The engine powered both the three-blade
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was filmed in 1972 and features an ACV in the climactic scene.
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The only surviving US Navy PACV (No. 004) is preserved at the
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recommended that it be outfitted with heavier weapons such as
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transport planes, which was how they were brought to Vietnam.
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radios, and a radio security set. The boats were shipped with
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The sole surviving Army ACV (No. 903) was transferred to the
1461:"Air Cushion Cavalry: The US Army's Bell SK5 ACV in Vietnam" 259:
70 knots (130 km/h; 81 mph) in Coast Guard service
1690:. Bellingham International Maritime Museum. Archived from 1017:
a range of 300 nautical miles (350 mi; 560 km).
489:. Design of the Army ACVs began in 1966 and was completed 1819:. Mitchellville, Maryland: Scarecrow Press. p. 353. 1020:
The ACVs in Coast Guard service were used primarily for
223:) (Navy PACV), 1,100 horsepower (820 kW) (Army ACV) 2519: 2197:"Cat Lo U.S. Naval Combat and Logistics Base 1965-1971" 608:
The communications package consisted of a six-station
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Daniels, Victory; Erdheim, Judith C. (January 1976).
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in a roof-mounted turret in the front and two 7.62mm
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The military developed the PACV because its lack of
2024:USS Bristol DD 857 Veterans Association Newsletter 651:. This equipment was used to find hidden enemies. 643:"), which could detect human emissions including 1782:: US Navy Bureau of Naval Personnel. p. 2. 1135:List of patrol vessels of the United States Navy 552:for thrust and the 7-foot (2.1 m) diameter 2520:"Yanks Air Museum - All American Famous Planes" 750:, riding on the side panels, employed assorted 1029:, resupply and repair remote lighthouses and 8: 1917: 1915: 1605: 1603: 1601: 1599: 1597: 1595: 1593: 1591: 1589: 1522: 1520: 1337: 1335: 1333: 1331: 1050:U.S. International Transportation Exposition 1000:and the third was used for Arctic Trials in 950:An Army ACV destroyed on 3 August 1970 by a 2332: 2330: 1816:Historical Dictionary of the War in Vietnam 2317: 2315: 2101:"PACVs Patrol Perilous Waters for VC Prey" 1971: 1969: 1967: 1965: 1895:"Daily Internal Information Summary 04-17" 1876: 1874: 1872: 1808: 1806: 1804: 1725: 1723: 1721: 1213:cost $ 75,000 ($ 593,000 in 2018 dollars). 1096:, where it is still on display as of 2018. 2412: 2410: 2253: 2251: 2094: 2092: 2090: 2010: 2008: 2006: 2004: 2002: 1938: 1936: 1934: 1932: 1930: 1859: 1857: 1855: 1842: 1840: 1838: 1836: 1756: 1754: 1752: 1750: 1640: 1638: 1636: 1634: 1632: 1630: 1628: 1626: 1624: 1622: 1485: 1483: 1481: 1388: 1386: 1384: 1382: 1380: 1378: 1376: 1374: 1255: 1253: 1251: 1249: 1247: 1245: 1243: 880:A US Army ACV patrolling the Mekong River 390:) in Army and Coast Guard service, was a 2183: 1921: 1880: 1729: 1392: 1303: 1259: 1063:for refurbishment and then stationed at 804:PACV cruising full speed through a swamp 405:in marshy and riverine areas during the 199:23 feet 9 inches (7.24 m) 2042: 2040: 1678: 1676: 1674: 1672: 1670: 1668: 1552: 1550: 1454: 1452: 1407: 1405: 1403: 1401: 1301: 1299: 1297: 1295: 1293: 1291: 1289: 1287: 1285: 1283: 1239: 1146: 2593:Vietnam War ships of the United States 2443: 2401: 2171: 2167: 2165: 2163: 2125: 2123: 1741: 1574:from the original on 24 September 2019 1311:Trip Report - SK-5 Air Cushion Vehicle 1274: 1004:, though they were also tested in the 38: 2518:Wright, Christen (17 December 2016). 2397: 2395: 2393: 2391: 2389: 2387: 2365: 2363: 2361: 2359: 2321: 2263:U.S. Army Transportation Corps Museum 2201:The Mobile Riverine Force Association 2068:: US Navy Bureau of Naval Personnel. 1863: 1846: 1712: 452:, where another sank in an accident. 7: 2290:Defense Acquisition Research Journal 2224:9th Infantry Division: old reliables 1565:Defence Technical Information Center 1412:Keaveney, Kevin (July–August 1993). 1350:Commander U.S. Naval Forces, Vietnam 1270: 1268: 1200:Equivalent to $ 7.75 million in 2019 869:, although they often deployed from 828:, conducted jointly with Vietnamese 1893:CTF One One Seven (17 April 1968). 2463:. 21 December 2016. Archived from 2425:. Coast Guard Aviation Association 2380:. Department of Homeland Security. 2337:Sherwood, John (31 January 2018). 1977:"Air Cushioned Vehicle (ACV) SK-5" 1490:Cutler, Thomas (11 October 2012). 1308:Moore, David G. (15 August 1968). 1162:Some PACVs were also armed with a 954:. Three men died in the explosion. 25: 2598:Amphibious warfare vessel classes 2588:History of the United States Navy 2493:. 31 January 2017. Archived from 2099:Eichel, Harry (16 October 1968). 2017:"The Brown Water Navy in Vietnam" 762:as well as various other rifles, 207:16.5 feet (5.0 m) on cushion 2378:U.S. Coast Guard History Program 2371:"Station Fort Point, California" 2148:from the original on 7 July 2021 1943:Trevithick, Joe (11 June 2014). 1688:Historic Naval Ships Association 1359:from the original on 7 July 2021 920:, 20mm autocannons (such as the 830:Civilian Irregular Defense Group 631:radio. The hovercraft carried a 42: 32:Merle K. (Mudhole) Smith Airport 2603:Ships of the United States Army 2137:(Report). Arlington, Virginia: 1981:U.S. Army Transportation Museum 1813:Frankum Jr., Ronald B. (2011). 1645:Lutton, Thomas (30 June 1972). 1459:Singh, Risaldar (14 May 2015). 1352:. 29 August 1968. AD–A953 615. 1086:U.S. Army Transportation Museum 1040:At least one ACV was active in 589:) and endurance of seven hours 521:Both designs were powered by a 2553:Article with photos and videos 2298:Defense Acquisition University 2015:Stoner, Robert (Spring 2018). 1763:"Battle on the Plain of Reeds" 1615:(Video). Periscope Film. 1971. 1065:St. Ignace Coast Guard Station 595:M113 armored personnel carrier 474:British Hovercraft Corporation 71:British Hovercraft Corporation 1: 2049:"Sailing in the Midget Fleet" 1983:. 15 May 2016. Archived from 1046:Oakland International Airport 730:PACVs were first deployed to 673:The PACV was armed with twin 2423:Coast Guard Aviation History 1900:. Letter to TF One One Seven 1224:The Streets of San Francisco 1222:The episode "Deathwatch" of 1054:Dulles International Airport 816:Navy PACVs were deployed in 529:engine. The engine, its 304- 498:(11.84 m) long, with a 2047:Neil, Bob (November 1966). 786:(Swift boat) could not go. 2619: 2221:Sperry, John, ed. (2000). 1761:Martin, Bob (March 1967). 1527:Hollebone, Ashley (2012). 1174:automatic grenade launcher 991:A Coast Guard ACV underway 696:automatic grenade launcher 460:The PACV was based on the 376:Patrol Air Cushion Vehicle 29: 2461:United States Coast Guard 2306:10.22594/dau.16-751.24.02 2267:Joint Base Langley-Eustis 2139:Center for Naval Analyses 1496:. Naval Institute Press. 1130:Landing Craft Air Cushion 998:Fort Point, San Francisco 577:). It had a range of 165 144: 53: 41: 2548:Hovercraft Museum: SR.N5 861:, and were based out of 678:M2 Browning machine guns 550:variable-pitch propeller 1061:Traverse City, Michigan 841:. The PACV could clear 669:launches a PACV in 1967 468:version of the British 145:General characteristics 2457:"Air Cushion Vehicles" 1073:Fort Belvoir, Virginia 992: 983:US Coast Guard service 955: 881: 818:Operations Game Warden 813: 805: 727: 670: 518: 420:, most notably in the 48:A Navy PACV in Vietnam 1533:. The History Press. 990: 949: 879: 811: 803: 760:M79 grenade launchers 717: 661: 516: 382:), also known as the 1428:US Army Armor Center 1075:, on 25 April 1975. 1002:Point Barrow, Alaska 930:M40 recoilless rifle 539:auxiliary power unit 483:Coronado, California 2578:Military hovercraft 2499:on 26 February 2022 2066:Arlington, Virginia 1780:Arlington, Virginia 1465:One Project Too Far 1324:on 8 February 2017. 1035:Coast Guard cutters 961:Patrol Boat, Rivers 772:medium machine guns 710:Operational history 464:SK-5 hovercraft; a 442:Patrol Boat, Rivers 384:Air Cushion Vehicle 2487:"Yanks Air Museum" 2417:Jordan, Margaret. 1987:on 3 December 2016 1694:on 19 January 2016 1211:Patrol Boat, River 993: 956: 894:Search and destroy 882: 871:fire support bases 867:Đồng Tâm Base Camp 814: 806: 780:Patrol Boat, River 728: 671: 662:Dock Landing Ship 519: 392:United States Navy 319:processing systems 2269:. 29 January 2018 2234:978-1-56311-608-7 1826:978-0-8108-7956-0 1540:978-0-7524-8512-6 1503:978-1-61251-184-9 1107:Chino, California 1042:San Francisco Bay 1022:search-and-rescue 1014:search-and-rescue 855:Cat Lo Naval Base 784:Patrol Craft Fast 601:, artillery, and 599:recoilless rifles 372: 371: 16:(Redirected from 2610: 2583:Riverine warfare 2535: 2534: 2532: 2530: 2524:Yanks Air Museum 2515: 2509: 2508: 2506: 2504: 2498: 2483: 2477: 2476: 2474: 2472: 2453: 2447: 2441: 2435: 2434: 2432: 2430: 2414: 2405: 2399: 2382: 2381: 2375: 2367: 2354: 2353: 2351: 2349: 2343:War on the Rocks 2334: 2325: 2319: 2310: 2309: 2285: 2279: 2278: 2276: 2274: 2255: 2246: 2245: 2243: 2241: 2218: 2212: 2211: 2209: 2207: 2193: 2187: 2181: 2175: 2169: 2158: 2157: 2155: 2153: 2147: 2136: 2127: 2118: 2117: 2115: 2113: 2096: 2085: 2084: 2082: 2080: 2060:. No. 598. 2053: 2044: 2035: 2034: 2032: 2030: 2021: 2012: 1997: 1996: 1994: 1992: 1973: 1960: 1959: 1957: 1955: 1940: 1925: 1919: 1910: 1909: 1907: 1905: 1899: 1890: 1884: 1878: 1867: 1861: 1850: 1844: 1831: 1830: 1810: 1799: 1798: 1796: 1794: 1774:. No. 602. 1767: 1758: 1745: 1739: 1733: 1727: 1716: 1710: 1704: 1703: 1701: 1699: 1680: 1663: 1662: 1660: 1653: 1642: 1617: 1616: 1607: 1584: 1583: 1581: 1579: 1573: 1562: 1554: 1545: 1544: 1530:Hovercraft Story 1524: 1515: 1514: 1512: 1510: 1487: 1476: 1475: 1473: 1471: 1456: 1447: 1446: 1444: 1442: 1409: 1396: 1390: 1369: 1368: 1366: 1364: 1358: 1347: 1339: 1326: 1325: 1323: 1316: 1305: 1278: 1272: 1263: 1257: 1227: 1220: 1214: 1207: 1201: 1198: 1192: 1189: 1183: 1160: 1154: 1151: 1120:Hurricane Aircat 1103:Yanks Air Museum 910:Hurricane Aircat 682:M60 machine guns 537:) fuel tank, an 523:General Electric 462:Bell Aerosystems 352:M60 machine guns 231:GE 7LM100-PJ102 75:Bell Aerosystems 46: 39: 21: 2618: 2617: 2613: 2612: 2611: 2609: 2608: 2607: 2568: 2567: 2544: 2539: 2538: 2528: 2526: 2517: 2516: 2512: 2502: 2500: 2485: 2484: 2480: 2470: 2468: 2455: 2454: 2450: 2442: 2438: 2428: 2426: 2416: 2415: 2408: 2400: 2385: 2373: 2369: 2368: 2357: 2347: 2345: 2336: 2335: 2328: 2320: 2313: 2287: 2286: 2282: 2272: 2270: 2259:"Rail Pavilion" 2257: 2256: 2249: 2239: 2237: 2235: 2220: 2219: 2215: 2205: 2203: 2195: 2194: 2190: 2182: 2178: 2170: 2161: 2151: 2149: 2145: 2134: 2129: 2128: 2121: 2111: 2109: 2098: 2097: 2088: 2078: 2076: 2051: 2046: 2045: 2038: 2028: 2026: 2019: 2014: 2013: 2000: 1990: 1988: 1975: 1974: 1963: 1953: 1951: 1942: 1941: 1928: 1924:, pp. 13–4 1920: 1913: 1903: 1901: 1897: 1892: 1891: 1887: 1879: 1870: 1862: 1853: 1845: 1834: 1827: 1812: 1811: 1802: 1792: 1790: 1765: 1760: 1759: 1748: 1740: 1736: 1728: 1719: 1711: 1707: 1697: 1695: 1682: 1681: 1666: 1661:on 7 July 2021. 1658: 1651: 1644: 1643: 1620: 1609: 1608: 1587: 1577: 1575: 1571: 1560: 1556: 1555: 1548: 1541: 1526: 1525: 1518: 1508: 1506: 1504: 1489: 1488: 1479: 1469: 1467: 1458: 1457: 1450: 1440: 1438: 1411: 1410: 1399: 1391: 1372: 1362: 1360: 1356: 1345: 1341: 1340: 1329: 1321: 1314: 1307: 1306: 1281: 1273: 1266: 1258: 1241: 1236: 1231: 1230: 1221: 1217: 1208: 1204: 1199: 1195: 1190: 1186: 1161: 1157: 1152: 1148: 1143: 1116: 1081: 985: 980: 712: 641:people sniffers 554:centrifugal fan 495: 458: 318: 212:Installed power 49: 35: 28: 23: 22: 15: 12: 11: 5: 2616: 2614: 2606: 2605: 2600: 2595: 2590: 2585: 2580: 2570: 2569: 2566: 2565: 2556: 2555: 2550: 2543: 2542:External links 2540: 2537: 2536: 2510: 2478: 2467:on 19 May 2017 2448: 2436: 2406: 2383: 2355: 2326: 2311: 2280: 2247: 2233: 2227:. Turner Pub. 2213: 2188: 2176: 2159: 2119: 2086: 2036: 1998: 1961: 1926: 1911: 1885: 1868: 1851: 1832: 1825: 1800: 1746: 1744:, pp. 6–7 1734: 1717: 1705: 1664: 1618: 1585: 1546: 1539: 1516: 1502: 1477: 1448: 1397: 1370: 1327: 1279: 1264: 1238: 1237: 1235: 1232: 1229: 1228: 1215: 1202: 1193: 1184: 1155: 1145: 1144: 1142: 1139: 1138: 1137: 1132: 1127: 1122: 1115: 1112: 1111: 1110: 1098: 1097: 1080: 1077: 1010:Chesapeake Bay 984: 981: 979: 976: 839:monsoon season 826:Plain of Reeds 744:Special Forces 711: 708: 579:nautical miles 494: 491: 457: 454: 426:Plain of Reeds 370: 369: 368: 367: 364: 359: 355: 354: 345:M2 machine gun 341: 337: 336: 335: 334: 332:people sniffer 328: 320: 314: 313: 310: 306: 305: 302: 298: 297: 294: 290: 289: 288: 287: 284: 273:nautical miles 267: 263: 262: 261: 260: 257: 240: 236: 235: 229: 225: 224: 213: 209: 208: 205: 201: 200: 197: 193: 192: 177: 173: 172: 161: 157: 156: 151: 147: 146: 142: 141: 138: 134: 133: 130: 126: 125: 122: 118: 117: 114: 110: 109: 106: 102: 101: 100: 99: 97:US Coast Guard 94: 89: 82: 78: 77: 68: 64: 63: 60: 56: 55: 54:Class overview 51: 50: 47: 26: 24: 14: 13: 10: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 2615: 2604: 2601: 2599: 2596: 2594: 2591: 2589: 2586: 2584: 2581: 2579: 2576: 2575: 2573: 2564: 2561: 2560: 2559: 2554: 2551: 2549: 2546: 2545: 2541: 2525: 2521: 2514: 2511: 2497: 2492: 2488: 2482: 2479: 2466: 2462: 2458: 2452: 2449: 2445: 2440: 2437: 2424: 2420: 2413: 2411: 2407: 2403: 2398: 2396: 2394: 2392: 2390: 2388: 2384: 2379: 2372: 2366: 2364: 2362: 2360: 2356: 2344: 2340: 2333: 2331: 2327: 2323: 2318: 2316: 2312: 2307: 2303: 2299: 2295: 2291: 2284: 2281: 2268: 2264: 2260: 2254: 2252: 2248: 2236: 2230: 2226: 2225: 2217: 2214: 2202: 2198: 2192: 2189: 2185: 2184:Keaveney 1993 2180: 2177: 2173: 2168: 2166: 2164: 2160: 2144: 2140: 2133: 2126: 2124: 2120: 2108: 2107: 2102: 2095: 2093: 2091: 2087: 2075: 2071: 2067: 2063: 2059: 2058: 2050: 2043: 2041: 2037: 2025: 2018: 2011: 2009: 2007: 2005: 2003: 1999: 1986: 1982: 1978: 1972: 1970: 1968: 1966: 1962: 1950: 1949:War is Boring 1946: 1939: 1937: 1935: 1933: 1931: 1927: 1923: 1922:Keaveney 1993 1918: 1916: 1912: 1896: 1889: 1886: 1882: 1881:Keaveney 1993 1877: 1875: 1873: 1869: 1865: 1860: 1858: 1856: 1852: 1848: 1843: 1841: 1839: 1837: 1833: 1828: 1822: 1818: 1817: 1809: 1807: 1805: 1801: 1789: 1785: 1781: 1777: 1773: 1772: 1764: 1757: 1755: 1753: 1751: 1747: 1743: 1738: 1735: 1732:, pp. 13 1731: 1730:Keaveney 1993 1726: 1724: 1722: 1718: 1714: 1709: 1706: 1693: 1689: 1685: 1679: 1677: 1675: 1673: 1671: 1669: 1665: 1657: 1650: 1649: 1641: 1639: 1637: 1635: 1633: 1631: 1629: 1627: 1625: 1623: 1619: 1614: 1613: 1606: 1604: 1602: 1600: 1598: 1596: 1594: 1592: 1590: 1586: 1570: 1566: 1559: 1553: 1551: 1547: 1542: 1536: 1532: 1531: 1523: 1521: 1517: 1505: 1499: 1495: 1494: 1486: 1484: 1482: 1478: 1466: 1462: 1455: 1453: 1449: 1437: 1433: 1429: 1425: 1421: 1420: 1415: 1408: 1406: 1404: 1402: 1398: 1394: 1393:Keaveney 1993 1389: 1387: 1385: 1383: 1381: 1379: 1377: 1375: 1371: 1355: 1351: 1344: 1338: 1336: 1334: 1332: 1328: 1320: 1313: 1312: 1304: 1302: 1300: 1298: 1296: 1294: 1292: 1290: 1288: 1286: 1284: 1280: 1276: 1271: 1269: 1265: 1261: 1260:Keaveney 1993 1256: 1254: 1252: 1250: 1248: 1246: 1244: 1240: 1233: 1225: 1219: 1216: 1212: 1206: 1203: 1197: 1194: 1188: 1185: 1182: 1179: 1175: 1172: 1168: 1165: 1159: 1156: 1150: 1147: 1140: 1136: 1133: 1131: 1128: 1126: 1123: 1121: 1118: 1117: 1113: 1108: 1104: 1100: 1099: 1095: 1091: 1087: 1083: 1082: 1078: 1076: 1074: 1070: 1066: 1062: 1057: 1055: 1051: 1047: 1043: 1038: 1036: 1032: 1028: 1023: 1018: 1015: 1011: 1007: 1003: 999: 989: 982: 977: 975: 973: 969: 964: 962: 953: 948: 944: 940: 938: 933: 931: 927: 923: 919: 914: 911: 907: 903: 902:combined arms 897: 895: 891: 888:stationed in 887: 878: 874: 872: 868: 864: 860: 856: 850: 847: 844: 840: 835: 831: 827: 823: 819: 810: 802: 798: 796: 792: 787: 785: 781: 777: 773: 769: 765: 761: 757: 753: 749: 745: 741: 737: 733: 725: 721: 716: 709: 707: 705: 700: 697: 694: 691: 687: 683: 679: 676: 668: 667: 660: 656: 654: 650: 646: 642: 638: 634: 630: 626: 622: 619: 615: 611: 606: 604: 600: 596: 590: 588: 584: 580: 576: 572: 568: 563: 559: 555: 551: 547: 544: 540: 536: 532: 528: 525:7LM100-PJ102 524: 515: 511: 509: 505: 501: 492: 490: 488: 484: 479: 475: 471: 467: 463: 455: 453: 451: 447: 443: 439: 435: 431: 427: 423: 419: 418:South Vietnam 415: 410: 408: 404: 400: 397: 393: 389: 385: 381: 377: 365: 362: 361: 360: 357: 356: 353: 350: 346: 343:twin .50 cal 342: 339: 338: 333: 329: 326: 323: 322: 321: 316: 315: 311: 308: 307: 303: 300: 299: 295: 292: 291: 285: 282: 278: 274: 270: 269: 268: 265: 264: 258: 255: 251: 247: 243: 242: 241: 238: 237: 234: 230: 227: 226: 222: 218: 214: 211: 210: 206: 203: 202: 198: 195: 194: 190: 186: 182: 178: 175: 174: 170: 166: 162: 159: 158: 155: 152: 149: 148: 143: 139: 136: 135: 131: 128: 127: 123: 121:In commission 120: 119: 115: 112: 111: 107: 104: 103: 98: 95: 93: 90: 88: 85: 84: 83: 80: 79: 76: 72: 69: 66: 65: 61: 58: 57: 52: 45: 40: 37: 33: 19: 2557: 2527:. Retrieved 2523: 2513: 2501:. Retrieved 2496:the original 2491:Facebook.com 2490: 2481: 2469:. Retrieved 2465:the original 2460: 2451: 2439: 2427:. Retrieved 2422: 2377: 2346:. Retrieved 2342: 2324:, p. 16 2293: 2289: 2283: 2271:. Retrieved 2262: 2238:. Retrieved 2223: 2216: 2204:. Retrieved 2200: 2191: 2186:, p. 12 2179: 2174:, p. 90 2150:. Retrieved 2112:16 September 2110:. Retrieved 2104: 2077:. Retrieved 2055: 2029:13 September 2027:. Retrieved 2023: 1989:. Retrieved 1985:the original 1980: 1952:. Retrieved 1948: 1902:. Retrieved 1888: 1883:, p. 18 1815: 1791:. Retrieved 1769: 1737: 1708: 1696:. Retrieved 1692:the original 1687: 1656:the original 1647: 1611: 1576:. Retrieved 1564: 1529: 1507:. Retrieved 1492: 1468:. Retrieved 1464: 1439:. Retrieved 1417: 1395:, p. 14 1361:. Retrieved 1319:the original 1310: 1262:, p. 17 1218: 1205: 1196: 1187: 1158: 1149: 1058: 1039: 1019: 994: 965: 957: 941: 934: 928:), or 106mm 918:TOW missiles 898: 886:Green Berets 883: 859:9th Division 851: 815: 788: 748:ARVN Rangers 740:Mekong River 736:Mekong Delta 729: 701: 672: 666:Gunston Hall 665: 607: 591: 546:transmission 520: 496: 470:Saunders-Roe 459: 422:Mekong Delta 411: 387: 383: 379: 375: 373: 317:Sensors and 187:(11.84  36: 2529:20 February 2503:20 February 2471:22 February 2446:, p. 9 2444:Lutton 1972 2429:24 February 2404:, p. 5 2402:Lutton 1972 2348:22 February 2240:20 February 2206:20 February 2172:Cutler 2012 2152:25 February 2141:. CRC 284. 2132:Game Warden 1991:25 February 1904:25 February 1866:, p. 5 1849:, p. 6 1742:Lutton 1972 1715:, p. 3 1578:25 February 1509:25 February 1470:21 February 1363:25 February 1275:Lutton 1972 1090:Fort Eustis 1006:Great Lakes 968:naval mines 937:air cavalry 906:air cavalry 822:Market Time 764:.45 pistols 738:and on the 675:.50 caliber 585:; 190  527:gas turbine 456:Development 450:Coast Guard 407:Vietnam War 403:patrol boat 363:None (PACV) 279:; 190  233:gas turbine 108:$ 1 million 2572:Categories 2322:Moore 1968 2106:Navy Times 2062:Navy Annex 1864:Moore 1968 1847:Moore 1968 1776:Navy Annex 1713:Moore 1968 1348:(Report). 1234:References 1069:Lake Huron 1031:lightships 926:M61 Vulcan 843:rice paddy 756:M16 rifles 752:small arms 718:A PACV in 704:horsepower 581:(306  573:; 69  569:(110  541:, and the 436:; 69  432:(110  401:used as a 399:hovercraft 275:(306  252:; 69  248:(110  228:Propulsion 219:(670  217:horsepower 154:Hovercraft 27:Hovercraft 2273:20 August 2074:0002-5577 2057:All Hands 1788:0002-5577 1771:All Hands 1436:0004-2420 1424:Fort Knox 1176:and/or a 1079:Survivors 795:Air Force 722:Bay near 664:USS  653:Dog teams 621:FM radios 618:AN/ARC-54 562:elevators 487:San Diego 446:Viet Cong 327:202 radar 293:Endurance 129:Completed 124:1966–1970 81:Operators 2143:Archived 2079:6 August 1954:7 August 1793:6 August 1698:6 August 1684:"PACV-4" 1569:Archived 1567:. 1970. 1441:6 August 1354:Archived 1114:See also 1094:Virginia 972:tripwire 913:airboats 776:grenades 754:such as 625:VRC-125s 612:system, 610:intercom 543:Westland 472:(later, 466:licensed 340:Armament 183:10  179:38  67:Builders 2300:: 249. 1181:minigun 1178:7.62 mm 1125:LACV-30 978:Postwar 890:Moc Hoa 863:Ben Luc 834:sampans 732:Vietnam 726:in 1968 720:Cau Hai 686:minigun 649:ammonia 558:rudders 533:(1,150 349:7.62 mm 296:7 hours 163:15,660 160:Tonnage 92:US Army 87:US Navy 2558:Video 2231:  2072:  1823:  1786:  1537:  1500:  1434:  774:, and 645:carbon 629:VRC-46 531:gallon 508:tonnes 506:(7.10 504:pounds 493:Design 301:Troops 204:Height 185:inches 176:Length 169:tonnes 167:(7.10 165:pounds 2374:(PDF) 2296:(2). 2146:(PDF) 2135:(PDF) 2052:(PDF) 2020:(PDF) 1898:(PDF) 1766:(PDF) 1659:(PDF) 1652:(PDF) 1572:(PDF) 1561:(PDF) 1419:Armor 1357:(PDF) 1346:(PDF) 1322:(PDF) 1315:(PDF) 1167:Mk 18 1164:40 mm 1141:Notes 1027:buoys 846:dikes 791:CH-54 768:light 690:40 mm 637:radar 633:Decca 567:knots 535:litre 485:near 478:SR.N5 430:knots 414:draft 358:Armor 347:, 2x 330:XM-3 325:Decca 266:Range 246:knots 239:Speed 113:Built 2531:2019 2505:2019 2473:2019 2431:2019 2350:2019 2275:2018 2242:2019 2229:ISBN 2208:2019 2154:2019 2114:2018 2081:2018 2070:ISSN 2031:2018 1993:2019 1956:2018 1906:2019 1821:ISBN 1795:2018 1784:ISSN 1700:2018 1580:2019 1535:ISBN 1511:2019 1498:ISBN 1472:2019 1443:2018 1432:ISSN 1365:2019 1209:The 1008:and 952:mine 922:M139 884:The 865:and 820:and 770:and 758:and 746:and 688:and 647:and 635:202 603:RPGs 571:km/h 560:and 500:beam 434:km/h 424:and 396:Army 394:and 380:PACV 374:The 309:Crew 271:165 250:km/h 215:900 196:Beam 181:feet 150:Type 137:Lost 116:1965 105:Cost 62:PACV 59:Name 18:PACV 2302:doi 1277:, G 1169:or 1105:in 1088:in 1067:on 1052:at 924:or 908:or 782:or 724:Hue 614:UHF 575:mph 438:mph 388:ACV 254:mph 244:60 2574:: 2522:. 2489:. 2459:. 2421:. 2409:^ 2386:^ 2376:. 2358:^ 2341:. 2329:^ 2314:^ 2294:24 2292:. 2265:. 2261:. 2250:^ 2199:. 2162:^ 2122:^ 2103:. 2089:^ 2064:, 2054:. 2039:^ 2022:. 2001:^ 1979:. 1964:^ 1947:. 1929:^ 1914:^ 1871:^ 1854:^ 1835:^ 1803:^ 1778:, 1768:. 1749:^ 1720:^ 1686:. 1667:^ 1621:^ 1588:^ 1563:. 1549:^ 1519:^ 1480:^ 1463:. 1451:^ 1430:. 1426:: 1422:. 1416:. 1400:^ 1373:^ 1330:^ 1282:^ 1267:^ 1242:^ 1171:M5 1092:, 963:. 939:. 873:. 766:, 693:M5 605:. 587:mi 583:km 476:) 304:12 281:mi 277:km 221:kW 73:, 2533:. 2507:. 2475:. 2433:. 2352:. 2308:. 2304:: 2277:. 2244:. 2210:. 2156:. 2116:. 2083:. 2033:. 1995:. 1958:. 1908:. 1829:. 1797:. 1702:. 1582:. 1543:. 1513:. 1474:. 1445:. 1367:. 1109:. 386:( 378:( 312:4 283:) 256:) 191:) 189:m 171:) 140:3 132:6 34:. 20:)

Index

PACV
Merle K. (Mudhole) Smith Airport

British Hovercraft Corporation
Bell Aerosystems
US Navy
US Army
US Coast Guard
Hovercraft
pounds
tonnes
feet
inches
m
horsepower
kW
gas turbine
knots
km/h
mph
nautical miles
km
mi
Decca
people sniffer
M2 machine gun
7.62 mm
M60 machine guns
United States Navy
Army

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