<hi style=afpcap>The US military has traditionally obtained the vast majority of its aircraft and weapons systems from its own manufacturers, although occasionally it obtained a specific type from an outside company. During 1957 the Army had need for a light transport with a good Short Take Off and Landing (STOL) capability, with the de Havilland of Canada DHC-4 Caribou being selected. Seven pre production versions were followed by orders for a further 159 aircraft which were designated as the AC-1 and AC-1A. These changed to the CV-2A and CV-2B in 1962, until 1967 when many were transferred to the Air Force for service in Vietnam as the C-7A and C-7B.</hi>
