Greek parts discovery prolongs life of Bofors cannon on US AC-130 gunships

The United States Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) is to retain the Bofors 40 mm M2A1 cannon on its Lockheed Martin AC-130H/U gunships, thanks to a chance discovery of spare parts worth more than USD14 million at a depot belonging to the Greek Army.

Crew members load ammunition into the Bofors 40 mm M2A1 cannon equipping a Lockheed Martin AC-130H gunship. With the discovery of additional spare parts in Greece, the 1930s vintage weapon will serve for some years yet. ()

The parts for the 1930s vintage gun were found by AFSOC Strike Requirements Branch programme analyst William Walter following a tip-off that the Greek Army had stored them away after retiring the weapon some years ago.

"The United States gave a bunch of 40 mm guns to allies during the late 1940s and early 1950s under the Marshall Plan," Walter said. "The Greek Army retired the weapon in 2005, so the parts were just sitting in a warehouse without any purpose."