Sgt Grit Marine Forums

Was just wondering how helos targeted their weapon systems back in the day in the early days of helicopter use? The few times I've seen a Huey on the tube firing MGs or rockets, you never see any obvious targeting system similar to what you might find today in an Apache or Cobra. They couldn't have just eyeballed it could they? Can't seem to find the answers anywhere online either. Just curious.

Oh and I'm not talking about door mounted guns either, I mean pilot controlled.

The old flexible reflex sight is used by the Huey and Cobra Pilots, as well as the old "grease pencil X" on the canopy was used frequently, before the newer late 80's Apaches and Super Cobras showed up with a more effective targeting system with laser designation, and "Heads up" capability.

Heh I was going to say before 'there's no way they could have just painted an X on the windscreen" but I guess it's not called field expedient for nothing. Thanks Gunnery Sergeant.

For rear seat pilot fixed guns and rockets its still pretty much pilotage and sight aim (there's a reticle in the HUD, but putting the reticle on the target doesn't "aim" the rocket or gun).  Much of the basic sylabus is geared toward developing the pilotage needed to  provide accurate rocket fire.  Front seat flexed guns and missiles have aiming control.

Hueys still use the "X" on the windscreen. 

Thanks ma'am, that stuff always fascinates me. Things like that make me wish I didn't need f'in corrective lenses

Yup! got a flex site in the Huey, but the Crew Chief still stands 20 or so paces infront of the nose and if he's just short of 6ft, we make a fist to compensate, and the Pilot's both make their respective "Grease Pencil X"......this does work good for Rockets.

As far as the Cobra, the front seater keeps the crosshairs on the target till impact with a TOW missile.  (Fly-by-wire, very accurate), the Bird needs to be unmasked and a sitting target itself when doing this.  The Hellfire uses the laser to designate and guide the missile.  The 20mm, is a matter of understanding lead and lag......and a lot of practise. (A few of us Crew Chiefs with the CO's blessing (off the coast of PI at Tabone Island target range) were allowed to shoot the 20mm, we really wanted to shoot rockets and missile....Fat Chance!)

I was allowed to fire rockets at the Apache Junction Indian Springs Range north of Las Vages, I found that by using the anti-ice element sticking up from the nose compartment and firing as I nosed up, and hitting the trigger (ATTD button) as it passed thru the target worked just fine and hit the truck hulk 4 out of 7 times, the other 3 would impact about 20-30 about the target.

Damn that sounds like a hoot Gunnery Sergeant; I assume you were talking about firing  from a Huey when you were at the Apache Junction Range?

Yup! shooting at truck hulks on the side of a very big range of hills of Apache Junction Oops!..... Indian Springs.  We would send DETs out to the Apache Junction Indian Springs Air Force Air Facility out there.....it was a blast.  (Just realized I had a bout of "CRAFT" Can't Remember a Friggin Thing!)

Now Taboni Island and Wild Horse Creek in the PI by Subic..........were our main ranges on West Pac and UDP.