Based on the 1983 movie, ABC's "Blue Thunder" focused on the Blue Thunder Unit, a Los Angeles police unit which operated a high-tech helicopter (actually a modified French-made Aérospatiale Gazelle) with ground support. A few of its features included an electric cannon, night sensors, turbo-speed and a "whisper mode" that allowed it to run silently. 

The series starred James Farentino (Police Story) as pilot Frank Chaney; Dana Carvey (Saturday Night Live) as his observer Clinton "JAFO" Wonderlove; Sandy McPeak as Cpt. Ed Braddock, the unit commander; Ann Cooper as Officer J.J. Douglas; and ex-NFL jocks Dick Butkus (Any Given Sunday) & Bubba Smith (Police Academy) as Officers Richard "Ski" Butowski & Lyman "Bubba" Kelsey, the ground support team.