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| AU-23 Peacemaker | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Fairchild AU-23A Peacemaker in flight | |
| Role | Armed gunship, counter-insurgency, utility transport Type of aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Fairchild Aircraft |
| First flight | 1971 |
| Primary users | United States Air Force Royal Thai Air Force |
| Developed from | Pilatus PC-6 Porter |
TheFairchild AU-23 Peacemaker is an American armedgunship,counter-insurgency, utility transport aircraft developed from thePilatus PC-6 Porter for theUnited States Air Force. A total of 35 were built under license in the United States byFairchild Industries, for use during theVietnam War in the early 1970s. All aircraft were later sold to theRoyal Thai Air Force.
In May 1971 theAeronautical Systems Division atWright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, began work on a project to evaluate the potential use of armed light utility short takeoff and landing aircraft in Southeast Asia. The program, named Credible Chase, was designed to add mobility and firepower to theSouth VietnameseRepublic of Vietnam Air Force (RVNAF) in a relatively short time. Two commercial aircraft were selected for testing: theFairchild Porter and theHelio Stallion. Initial performance testing was conducted with leased aircraft atEglin Air Force Base, Florida, and was successful enough to warrant a combat evaluation. The Porter, designated AU-23A, was fitted with a side-firing 20mm 3 barreledM197 electric cannon, four wing pylons and a center fuselage station for external ordnance. The 20mm cannon was essentially a three-barrel version of theM61 Vulcan 6-barrel 20mm cannon. The aircraft could carry a variety of ordnance including forward-firing gun pods, 500 and 250 pounds (230 and 110 kg) bombs,napalm units,cluster bomb units, flares, rockets, smoke grenades andleaflet dispensers.
The combat evaluation, PAVE COIN, was done in June and July 1971. The AU-23A was tested for eight possible missions: armed escort of helicopters, close air support, hamlet defense, STOL airlift and resupply, armed reconnaissance, border surveillance, forward air control, and counter infiltration. USAF crews flew 73 missions (94 sorties) and RVNAF crews flew 68 missions (85 sorties). Several types of weapons were test dropped/fired including 2.75-inch (70 mm) rockets (explosive and smoke), CBU-14cluster bombs, MK 6 Mod 3 flares, and MK 81, -82, and -106 practice bombs. More than 8,000 rounds of 20mm ammunition were fired, both high explosive incendiary and target practice tracer types. Several problems were discovered during the PAVE COIN program, the most serious was the extreme vulnerability of the aircraft to all but the lightest antiaircraft fire (below 12.7mm). Despite the problems, the USAF continued with the development program and ordered 15 AU-23As for further testing.
The 4400th Special Operations Squadron (Provisional) was created to complete the operational test and evaluation of the Credible Chase aircraft. The first AU-23A (72-1306) was delivered to the 4400th SOS on Jan. 2, 1972, followed by two more aircraft (72-1304 & 72-1305) at the end of the month. Testing continued until February 4, when the three aircraft were grounded because of cracks in the rudder assemblies. The first three aircraft were returned to Fairchild for repair and delivery of new aircraft resumed in late April 1972. On May 10, 1972, an AU-23A (S/N 72-1309) crashed after an in-flight engine failure. The pilot was not hurt, but all AU-23As were grounded until May 22, during the accident investigation. The last AU-23A was delivered on June 7 and testing was completed on June 28.
The 4400th recommended the aircraft not be used in combat without a major upgrade program. Specific problems identified included a slow combat speed (135 knots (250 km/h)), a low working altitude, no capability for "zoom" escapes after delivering ordnance and a complete lack of armor protection for the crew and vital aircraft systems. On June 30, 1972, the 4400th SOS ferried the AU-23As toDavis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, for storage.
All AU-23A were supplied toThailand under theMilitary Assistance Program for use in border surveillance and counter-infiltration roles.[1]
Royal Thai Air Force 501 Sqn AU-23A JTh2-20/19 coded 42079 (former FY 74-2079) crash-landed in Khlong Hoi Khong district around noon on 5 March 2019.[2]
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General characteristics
Performance
Armament
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
