Combat Aircraft - Revision history

imported>Administrator: 70 revisions imported

2023-06-20T16:12:00Z

70 revisions imported

← Older revision	Revision as of 16:12, 20 June 2023
(No difference)

2601:1C0:5001:5320:80E5:8718:82F6:2A4A: /* Bombers */

2023-06-20T10:37:15Z

Bombers

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:37, 20 June 2023
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	During the Cold War, emphasis was put on making them fly higher and farther to avoid enemy defenses and deliver nuclear payloads, though this capability has since declined due to the invention of ICBMs. In warfare they generally carry conventional bombs, though they can also carry cruise missiles for taking out distant targets where an overhead flyby would be too risky. Nowadays they are either Tactical Bombers or Strategic Bombers.		During the Cold War, emphasis was put on making them fly higher and farther to avoid enemy defenses and deliver nuclear payloads, though this capability has since declined due to the invention of ICBMs. In warfare they generally carry conventional bombs, though they can also carry cruise missiles for taking out distant targets where an overhead flyby would be too risky. Nowadays they are either Tactical Bombers or Strategic Bombers.

	The current era of asymmetrical warfare has created proposals to reintroduce the propeller powered bomber as "light-attack aircraft". Modern bombers are really, really expensive not only to build but to operate, and jihadis (or other terrorists) virtually never have anti-air ability beyond some DShKs manned by people with no anti-aircraft training, rendering most of the expensive defenses on the bombers overkill. Thus the idea comes of making a cheap aircraft dedicated to bombing such targets cheaply. The biggest obstacles in their adoptions is the massive ones of securing congressional funding ~~and~~ then passing military design/appropriations programs.		The current era of asymmetrical warfare has created proposals to reintroduce the propeller powered bomber as "light-attack aircraft". Modern bombers are really, really expensive not only to build but to operate, and jihadis (or other terrorists) virtually never have anti-air ability beyond some DShKs manned by people with no anti-aircraft training, rendering most of the expensive defenses on the bombers overkill. Thus the idea comes of making a cheap aircraft dedicated to bombing such targets cheaply. The biggest obstacles in their adoptions is the massive ones of securing congressional funding, then passing military design/appropriations programs, and the optics of sending soldiers out to fight in WW2 looking relics.

	===Electronic Warfare===		===Electronic Warfare===

2601:1C0:5001:5320:80E5:8718:82F6:2A4A: /* Ground-Attack */

2023-06-20T10:36:05Z

Ground-Attack

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:36, 20 June 2023
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	*'''Transport Helicopter''': Much like land-based Armored Personnel Carriers, transport helicopters can ferry soldiers to distant battlefields with relative speed. While they are generally not frontline combat aircraft, they are often armed enough with doorguns and sometimes rockets to clear out and secure landing zones to provide infantry the space they need to infiltrate and exfiltrate as needed. Some heavy-lifting helicopters may even be able to tow along armored vehicles for additional support.		*'''Transport Helicopter''': Much like land-based Armored Personnel Carriers, transport helicopters can ferry soldiers to distant battlefields with relative speed. While they are generally not frontline combat aircraft, they are often armed enough with doorguns and sometimes rockets to clear out and secure landing zones to provide infantry the space they need to infiltrate and exfiltrate as needed. Some heavy-lifting helicopters may even be able to tow along armored vehicles for additional support.
	*'''Gunship''': Whereas "gunship" will often refer to a heavily-armed helicopter, fixed-wing gunships are quite rare, but also awe-inspiring. Basically, a gunship mounts multiple guns on its side and strafes enemy ground targets by soaking them in fire. Only a handful of such aircraft have existed, all of which from converted aircraft; the G and H variants of the WWII [[wikipedia:B-25\|B-25 medium bomber]] had been converted to mount at least a ''dozen'' .50 cal machineguns and a 75mm cannon for anti-ship warfare, while the [[wikipedia:AC-47\|AC-47]] mounted three miniguns on its side. The latest one is the [[wikipedia:AC-130\|AC-130]], which mounts a 105mm cannon and various autocannons or rotary guns for total annihilation. The downside though is that such aircraft are quite vulnerable to enemy aircraft and AA weapons, making them only useful if friendly forces have already taken control of the airspace which makes them perfect for the 21st century chronic low intensity insurgency fighting.		*'''Gunship''': Whereas "gunship" will often refer to a heavily-armed helicopter, fixed-wing gunships are quite rare, but also awe-inspiring. Basically, a gunship mounts multiple guns on its side and strafes enemy ground targets by soaking them in fire. Only a handful of such aircraft have existed, all of which from converted aircraft; the G and H variants of the WWII [[wikipedia:B-25\|B-25 medium bomber]] had been converted to mount at least a ''dozen'' .50 cal machineguns and a 75mm cannon for anti-ship warfare, while the [[wikipedia:AC-47\|AC-47]] mounted three miniguns on its side. The latest one is the [[wikipedia:AC-130\|AC-130]], which mounts a 105mm cannon and various autocannons or rotary guns for total annihilation. The downside though is that such aircraft are quite vulnerable to enemy aircraft and AA weapons, making them only useful if friendly forces have already taken control of the airspace which makes them perfect for the 21st century chronic low intensity insurgency fighting.
	*'''UCAVs''': Drones have proven capable in peer-to-peer warfare with the TB-2 mauling Russian convoys and air defense units in Ukraine, to the point of getting a song written in it's name. They are definitely here to stay for ground attack.		*'''UCAVs''': Drones have proven capable in peer-to-peer warfare with the TB-2 mauling Russian convoys and air defense units in Ukraine, to the point of getting a song written in it's name. They are definitely here to stay for ground attack in some way. The thing to remember about drones is that they can straddle the line between plane and missile. So the TB-2 is a plane, but a loitering munition is a smart missile that just orbits looking for a target until give the command to do it's best Kamikaze impression.

	===Bombers===		===Bombers===

imported>Administrator: 1 revision imported

2023-06-18T21:57:54Z

1 revision imported

← Older revision	Revision as of 21:57, 18 June 2023
(No difference)

1d4chan>MrPhantom: /* Fighters */

2022-12-01T10:39:05Z

Fighters

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:39, 1 December 2022
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	*'''Strike Fighter''': A type of multi-role fighter that puts more emphasis on ground-attack strikes, probably not a dedicated platform but upgraded from last generation dedicated Multiroles to again get more use out of expensive gear.		*'''Strike Fighter''': A type of multi-role fighter that puts more emphasis on ground-attack strikes, probably not a dedicated platform but upgraded from last generation dedicated Multiroles to again get more use out of expensive gear.
	*'''Fighter-Bomber''': A fighter that has been converted into dropping bombs, usually dropping ordnance at nearest available target of opportunity before returning to fighter mode. These have since been phased out as dedicated ground attack aircraft emerged.		*'''Fighter-Bomber''': A fighter that has been converted into dropping bombs, usually dropping ordnance at nearest available target of opportunity before returning to fighter mode. These have since been phased out as dedicated ground attack aircraft emerged.
			*'''Heavy Fighter''': Usually twin engine frames used to carry loads of heavy machine guns or cannons to hunt down bombers and also carried bombs and rockets for ground attack. The design mostly ended up being used for long range missions like the P-38, as recon planes or as nights fighters equipped with radar in World War 2. Became obsolete after Korea like the Fighter-Bomber.
	*'''UCAVs''': While still a few years off, Turkey's MIUS program has gotten production greenlight as the "Red Apple" and it seems to be the next big thing in air-to-air warfare.		*'''UCAVs''': While still a few years off, Turkey's MIUS program has gotten production greenlight as the "Red Apple" and it seems to be the next big thing in air-to-air warfare.

1d4chan>MrPhantom: /* Bombers */

2022-12-01T10:30:18Z

Bombers

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:30, 1 December 2022
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	Bombers, quite simply, drop bombs. Two types exist: strategic bombers (of which a mission will be built around destroying a specific target), and tactical bombers (where a bomber will attack targets as part of an overall mission, such as supporting ground forces). In the beginning, they had terrible accuracy, so they had to try and saturate targets with as many bombs as they could carry in the hopes that one of them would hit the right target. Or, if they were dive-bombers, approach the target at a steep angle before releasing and pulling away as quickly as possible.		Bombers, quite simply, drop bombs. Two types exist: strategic bombers (of which a mission will be built around destroying a specific target), and tactical bombers (where a bomber will attack targets as part of an overall mission, such as supporting ground forces). In the beginning, they had terrible accuracy, so they had to try and saturate targets with as many bombs as they could carry in the hopes that one of them would hit the right target. Or, if they were dive-bombers, approach the target at a steep angle before releasing and pulling away as quickly as possible.

	In WWII, Bombers could be divided into light, medium, and heavy bombers. Light bombers were more tactically-oriented and resembled the fighter-bombers listed above. Medium and Heavy bombers were bigger and slower, but could carry more payloads. They oftentimes had defensive machinegun pods and fighter escorts as well, given that they were massively important targets.		In WWII (and to a lesser extent in World War I), Bombers could be divided into light, medium, and heavy bombers. Light bombers were more tactically-oriented and resembled the fighter-bombers listed above. Medium and Heavy bombers were bigger and slower, but could carry more payloads. They oftentimes had defensive machinegun pods and fighter escorts as well, given that they were massively important targets.

	During the Cold War, emphasis was put on making them fly higher and farther to avoid enemy defenses and deliver nuclear payloads, though this capability has since declined due to the invention of ICBMs. In warfare they generally carry conventional bombs, though they can also carry cruise missiles for taking out distant targets where an overhead flyby would be too risky. Nowadays they are either Tactical Bombers or Strategic Bombers.		During the Cold War, emphasis was put on making them fly higher and farther to avoid enemy defenses and deliver nuclear payloads, though this capability has since declined due to the invention of ICBMs. In warfare they generally carry conventional bombs, though they can also carry cruise missiles for taking out distant targets where an overhead flyby would be too risky. Nowadays they are either Tactical Bombers or Strategic Bombers.

2A02:A03F:C17D:A400:1959:2BB7:3308:3C35: /* Propulsion */

2022-11-21T17:20:37Z

Propulsion

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:20, 21 November 2022
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	==Propulsion==		==Propulsion==
	*'''Propellers''': The first means of powered flight, propellers were used up until after WWII for all aircraft; by then Jet engine technology had been developed, which became the dominant means of propulsion due to being faster and having a higher flight ceiling. However, propellers are still used on certain kinds of heavy aircraft that do not require to travel at higher speed, as they have better efficency. Drones are also usually equipped with propellers as jet drones are unnecessary overkill against most drone targets (those being countries with shitty old AA equipment and insurgents). Most propellers engines today are actually a hybrid of traditional propeller engines and jet engines, wherein they operate in the same principle as turbofans but use the generated thrust to spin propeller blades instead of pushing air out at high speed.		*'''Propellers''': The first means of powered flight, propellers were used up until after WWII for all aircraft; by then Jet engine technology had been developed, which became the dominant means of propulsion due to being faster and having a higher flight ceiling. However, propellers are still used on certain kinds of heavy aircraft that do not require to travel at higher speed, as they have better efficency. Drones are also usually equipped with propellers as jet drones are unnecessary overkill against most drone targets (those being countries with shitty old AA equipment and insurgents). Most propellers engines today are actually a hybrid of traditional propeller engines and jet engines, wherein they operate in the same principle as turbofans but use the generated thrust to spin propeller blades instead of pushing air out at high speed. There are two big classes of propeller aircraft:
	*'''Jets''': the main engines used on most aircraft today: civilian ones tend to favor fuel economy where military ones often have a post-combustion system for when you really need that extra burst of thrust (at the cost of being fuel guzzlers, but hey...) A few specialized variants exist:		** '''Tractor aircraft''': the propeller(s) face forward and pull the airplane through the air. Most commonly seen configuration with the motor either in the nose (if single) or on the wings (if multiple). Simple, proven, efficient, has worked for over a century now. No need to reinvent the wheel, unless really necessary.
			**'''Pusher aircraft''': Yang to the tractor's Yin, the propeller faces backward and pushes the airplane forward. One can go into the (dis-)advantages of both for entire books, but pusher is nowadays mostly used in two cases: very small aircraft/ultralights that would otherwise be simply unbalanced, or airplanes/drones that need a clean nose for visibility (and weaponry).
			***'''Push-pull configuration''': the red-haired stepchildren of aviation, a few designs had both one (or more) tractor and pusher engine(s) installed. Most well-known (so to speak) is the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cessna_O-2_Skymaster Cessna O-2 Skymaster].
			*'''Jets''': the main engines used on most aircraft today: civilian ones tend to favor fuel economy and engines with high bypass ratios (put simply, only a fraction of the air passes through the combustion chambers proper and gets overheated, but the mass of the mix at the back provides a decent amount of thrust for less fuel), where military ones often have a post-combustion system for when you really need that extra burst of thrust (at the cost of being fuel guzzlers, but hey...) A few specialized variants exist:
	:**'''Ramjets''': designed specifically for use at high speed by using the speed of the aircraft itself to suck in air, instead of having to use its own power to suck air in with turbofans. These are used on some models of interceptors and recon craft.		:**'''Ramjets''': designed specifically for use at high speed by using the speed of the aircraft itself to suck in air, instead of having to use its own power to suck air in with turbofans. These are used on some models of interceptors and recon craft.
	:**'''VTOL''': Verticals Takeoff and Landing. Jets with VTOL can redirect thrust downward so that they don’t need to use as much runway space, allowing them to deploy from smaller aircraft carriers and other non traditional runways. VTOL consumes a lot of extra fuel, so it’s only present on very specific aircraft and only engaged when necessary.		:**'''VTOL''': Verticals Takeoff and Landing. Jets with VTOL can redirect thrust downward so that they don’t need to use as much runway space, allowing them to deploy from smaller aircraft carriers and other non traditional runways. VTOL consumes a lot of extra fuel, so it’s only present on very specific aircraft and only engaged when necessary.

2A02:A03F:C17D:A400:1959:2BB7:3308:3C35: /* Weaponry */

2022-11-21T17:02:45Z

Weaponry

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:02, 21 November 2022
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	*'''Rockets''': During the Second World War, unguided rockets were the classic tank-busting weapon. Cheap, accurate and hard-hitting, they were ideal for short-range dive bombing. In the 50s, they supplemented cannon as yet another 'maximum dakka' weapon because of their fast rate of fire. Nowadays, such munitions are mostly used as an area-of-effect weapon by Attack helicopters, which can carry about a dozen or so 70mm rockets for anti-infantry and light anti-armor combat.		*'''Rockets''': During the Second World War, unguided rockets were the classic tank-busting weapon. Cheap, accurate and hard-hitting, they were ideal for short-range dive bombing. In the 50s, they supplemented cannon as yet another 'maximum dakka' weapon because of their fast rate of fire. Nowadays, such munitions are mostly used as an area-of-effect weapon by Attack helicopters, which can carry about a dozen or so 70mm rockets for anti-infantry and light anti-armor combat.
	*'''Bombs''': The first ground-attack weapons carried on planes, early bombs were literally hand-thrown by World War 1 bomber crews, though later they would be mounted in racks on the underside of planes. Bombs come in a very large variety of sizes and munitions, but traditionally they were carried either as a single munition on smaller dive-bombers to attack a specific target, or in large quantities on large bombers for attacking areas of strategic value. Both strategies are meant to overcome the inherent inaccuracy of dropping bombs from high altitudes. However, new JDAM bombs are capable of self-correcting in flight, making them far more accurate. Previously, the primary tactic of avoiding bombs was "duck and cover because they are likely to miss". After guidance became a thing, things started to rapidly suck whatever poor bastard who is being targeted.		*'''Bombs''': The first ground-attack weapons carried on planes, early bombs were literally hand-thrown by World War 1 bomber crews, though later they would be mounted in racks on the underside of planes. Bombs come in a very large variety of sizes and munitions, but traditionally they were carried either as a single munition on smaller dive-bombers to attack a specific target, or in large quantities on large bombers for attacking areas of strategic value. Both strategies are meant to overcome the inherent inaccuracy of dropping bombs from high altitudes. However, new JDAM bombs are capable of self-correcting in flight, making them far more accurate. Previously, the primary tactic of avoiding bombs was "duck and cover because they are likely to miss". After guidance became a thing, things started to rapidly suck whatever poor bastard who is being targeted.
	*'''Torpedoes''': instead of unguided bombs light bombers were equipped with torpedoes for naval warfare, as the self-propelling nature of the weapon dramatically increased the chances of a hit. Problem was, torpedo bombing was a highly business: In the best of cases, it involved flying towards a heavily-armed target while carrying an incredibly heavy payload that limited your airplane's manoeuvrability low to the surface of the water and slowing down right before the drop (drop speed was limited to ~170 knots for the biggest part of the war, go faster and the torpedo would deviate or simply shatter on impact with the water). On top of that, said heavily defended target had lots of AA guns, was rarely alone and more often than not had a CAP of fighters defending them; all things that would in turn take heavy tolls on the attacking torpedo-bombers. Still, it was efficient enough that the British perfected it early on in the Second World War, and it was quickly adopted by, among others, the Japanese and (in a more limited way) the American Navy. In modern times, fighter jets don't use them (as they simply go too fast to use torpedoes), but some helicopters and bombers carry them alongside seamines for aerial deployment to ruin any Navy's day. Additionally more modern naval mines are effectively torpedo turrets waiting for some punk to come along with the wrong IFF and serve 'em some fireworks.		*'''Torpedoes''': instead of unguided bombs light bombers were equipped with torpedoes for naval warfare, as the self-propelling nature of the weapon dramatically increased the chances of a hit. Problem was, torpedo bombing was a highly risky business: In the best of cases, it involved flying towards a heavily-armed target while carrying an incredibly heavy payload that limited your airplane's manoeuvrability, low to the surface of the water and slowing down right before the drop (drop speed was limited to ~170 knots for the biggest part of the war, go faster and the torpedo would deviate or simply shatter on impact with the water). On top of that, said heavily defended target had lots of AA guns, was rarely alone and more often than not had a CAP of fighters defending them; all things that would in turn take heavy tolls on the attacking torpedo-bombers. Still, it was efficient enough that the British perfected it early on in the Second World War, and it was quickly adopted by, among others, the Japanese and (in a more limited way) the American Navy. In modern times, fighter jets don't use them (as they simply go too fast to use torpedoes), but some helicopters and bombers carry them alongside seamines for aerial deployment to ruin any Navy's day. Additionally more modern naval mines are effectively torpedo turrets waiting for some punk to come along with the wrong IFF and serve 'em some fireworks.

	==Propulsion==		==Propulsion==

2A02:A03F:C17D:A400:1959:2BB7:3308:3C35: /* Weaponry */

2022-11-21T16:57:25Z

Weaponry

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:57, 21 November 2022
Line 27:		Line 27:
	*'''Rockets''': During the Second World War, unguided rockets were the classic tank-busting weapon. Cheap, accurate and hard-hitting, they were ideal for short-range dive bombing. In the 50s, they supplemented cannon as yet another 'maximum dakka' weapon because of their fast rate of fire. Nowadays, such munitions are mostly used as an area-of-effect weapon by Attack helicopters, which can carry about a dozen or so 70mm rockets for anti-infantry and light anti-armor combat.		*'''Rockets''': During the Second World War, unguided rockets were the classic tank-busting weapon. Cheap, accurate and hard-hitting, they were ideal for short-range dive bombing. In the 50s, they supplemented cannon as yet another 'maximum dakka' weapon because of their fast rate of fire. Nowadays, such munitions are mostly used as an area-of-effect weapon by Attack helicopters, which can carry about a dozen or so 70mm rockets for anti-infantry and light anti-armor combat.
	*'''Bombs''': The first ground-attack weapons carried on planes, early bombs were literally hand-thrown by World War 1 bomber crews, though later they would be mounted in racks on the underside of planes. Bombs come in a very large variety of sizes and munitions, but traditionally they were carried either as a single munition on smaller dive-bombers to attack a specific target, or in large quantities on large bombers for attacking areas of strategic value. Both strategies are meant to overcome the inherent inaccuracy of dropping bombs from high altitudes. However, new JDAM bombs are capable of self-correcting in flight, making them far more accurate. Previously, the primary tactic of avoiding bombs was "duck and cover because they are likely to miss". After guidance became a thing, things started to rapidly suck whatever poor bastard who is being targeted.		*'''Bombs''': The first ground-attack weapons carried on planes, early bombs were literally hand-thrown by World War 1 bomber crews, though later they would be mounted in racks on the underside of planes. Bombs come in a very large variety of sizes and munitions, but traditionally they were carried either as a single munition on smaller dive-bombers to attack a specific target, or in large quantities on large bombers for attacking areas of strategic value. Both strategies are meant to overcome the inherent inaccuracy of dropping bombs from high altitudes. However, new JDAM bombs are capable of self-correcting in flight, making them far more accurate. Previously, the primary tactic of avoiding bombs was "duck and cover because they are likely to miss". After guidance became a thing, things started to rapidly suck whatever poor bastard who is being targeted.
	*'''Torpedoes''': instead of bombs~~, it was easier to equip~~ light bombers with torpedoes for naval warfare. ~~Torpedo~~ bombing was ~~always~~ a ~~risky~~ business, as it involved flying ~~low and fast~~ towards a heavily-armed target while carrying an incredibly heavy payload. ~~The~~ British perfected it early on in the Second World War, and it was quickly adopted by, among others, the Japanese. In modern times, fighter jets don't use them, but some helicopters and bombers carry them alongside seamines for aerial deployment to ruin any Navy's day. Additionally more modern naval mines are effectively torpedo turrets waiting for ~~someone~~ to come along with the wrong IFF.		*'''Torpedoes''': instead of unguided bombs light bombers were equipped with torpedoes for naval warfare, as the self-propelling nature of the weapon dramatically increased the chances of a hit. Problem was, torpedo bombing was a highly business: In the best of cases, it involved flying towards a heavily-armed target while carrying an incredibly heavy payload that limited your airplane's manoeuvrability low to the surface of the water and slowing down right before the drop (drop speed was limited to ~170 knots for the biggest part of the war, go faster and the torpedo would deviate or simply shatter on impact with the water). On top of that, said heavily defended target had lots of AA guns, was rarely alone and more often than not had a CAP of fighters defending them; all things that would in turn take heavy tolls on the attacking torpedo-bombers. Still, it was efficient enough that the British perfected it early on in the Second World War, and it was quickly adopted by, among others, the Japanese and (in a more limited way) the American Navy. In modern times, fighter jets don't use them (as they simply go too fast to use torpedoes), but some helicopters and bombers carry them alongside seamines for aerial deployment to ruin any Navy's day. Additionally more modern naval mines are effectively torpedo turrets waiting for some punk to come along with the wrong IFF and serve 'em some fireworks.

	==Propulsion==		==Propulsion==

1d4chan>MrPhantom: /* Weaponry */

2022-11-21T13:44:05Z

Weaponry

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:44, 21 November 2022
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	*'''Missiles''': A wide variety of missiles are used for a multiplicity of roles, such as fast and light heat-seeking missiles for bringing down aircraft, or slower and heavier but more powerful anti-tank missiles for ground warfare. These saw their first baby steps at the very end of World War 2, but didn't come into their own until the development of effective computer technology in the 1960s. Missiles are the primary air to air warfare tool in the Post-Cold War Paradigm of air warfare and have specialist roles in ground attack backing up unguided and guided bomb strikes.		*'''Missiles''': A wide variety of missiles are used for a multiplicity of roles, such as fast and light heat-seeking missiles for bringing down aircraft, or slower and heavier but more powerful anti-tank missiles for ground warfare. These saw their first baby steps at the very end of World War 2, but didn't come into their own until the development of effective computer technology in the 1960s. Missiles are the primary air to air warfare tool in the Post-Cold War Paradigm of air warfare and have specialist roles in ground attack backing up unguided and guided bomb strikes.
	** '''Infrared Heatseekers''': Primarily short range used against IR emitting usually physically hot targets.		** '''Infrared Heatseekers''': Primarily short range used against IR emitting usually physically hot targets.
	** '''Radar Guided Missiles''': Generally uses two variants, Semi-Active Homing which uses Radar on the shooting fighter or assisting other radar to guide and Active Homing which has an on board targeting ~~hard~~.		** '''Radar Guided Missiles''': Generally uses two variants, Semi-Active Homing which uses Radar on the shooting fighter or assisting other radar to guide and Active Homing which has an on board targeting radar on the missile itself.
	** '''Anti-Radiation Missiles''': Target radiation sources, namely mostly radars, to suppress enemy air defense.		** '''Anti-Radiation Missiles''': Target radiation sources, namely mostly radars, to suppress enemy air defense.
	*'''Rockets''': During the Second World War, unguided rockets were the classic tank-busting weapon. Cheap, accurate and hard-hitting, they were ideal for short-range dive bombing. In the 50s, they supplemented cannon as yet another 'maximum dakka' weapon because of their fast rate of fire. Nowadays, such munitions are mostly used as an area-of-effect weapon by Attack helicopters, which can carry about a dozen or so 70mm rockets for anti-infantry and light anti-armor combat.		*'''Rockets''': During the Second World War, unguided rockets were the classic tank-busting weapon. Cheap, accurate and hard-hitting, they were ideal for short-range dive bombing. In the 50s, they supplemented cannon as yet another 'maximum dakka' weapon because of their fast rate of fire. Nowadays, such munitions are mostly used as an area-of-effect weapon by Attack helicopters, which can carry about a dozen or so 70mm rockets for anti-infantry and light anti-armor combat.