gunship

gun +‎ ship

• IPA^(key): /ˈɡʌnʃɪp/

gunship (plural gunships)

1. (nautical) A ship equipped with heavy artillery.
2. (aviation) An armed helicopter tasked to attack the enemy.
   • 1997 September, Dan Simmons, The Rise of Endymion, New York: Bantam, →ISBN, →LCCN, →OCLC, page 363:

     I'm sending down five more dropships, combat EMVs, and a thopter gunship.

3. (US, air force, military) A transport airplane equipped with large calibre guns typical of armoured fighting vehicles
   • 2007 September 25, Bungie, Halo 3, spoken by Avery Johnson (David Scully), Microsoft Game Studios, Xbox 360, level/area: Sierra 117:

     Roger that, Hocus. Friendly gunship, coming in hot!

• Shuping, pushing