AC-130 Gunship
The AC-130 gunship is a four-engine ground-attack aircraft used by the US Air Force for supporting ground troops, escorting convoys, and flying urban operations. The AC-130 gunship was developed from the C-130 Hercules transport plane. The aircraft airframe is built by Lockheed, while Boeing is responsible for the conversion into a gunship and for aircraft support. The AC-130 first flew in 1966 and entered active service with the United States Air Force in 1968. Variants in active service: AC-130E Pave Aegis, AC-130H Spectre, and AC-130U Spooky II.
The AC-130H Spectre is fitted with side-firing weapons which are integrated with sophisticated sensors, navigation and fire control systems to provide precision firepower. The Spectre can spend long periods flying over their target area at night and in adverse weather. The sensor suite is composed of a television sensor, infrared sensor, and radar. These sensors allow the gunship to visually or electronically identify friendly ground forces and targets in most weather conditions. The AC-130U Spooky II is equipped with the AN/APQ-180, a synthetic aperture radar for long-range target detection and identification. The gunship’s navigational devices include inertial navigation systems and a Global Positioning System. Using the technologies developed in the 1990s, the AC-130U can strike two targets simultaneously. It also has twice the munitions capacity of the AC-130H.
The AC-130 was effectively used by the US Air Force in the Vietnam War, in the 1989 invasion of Panama, in the Gulf War, in Operation Enduring Freedom, and in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Specifications for the AC-130 Spectre
Engine: four Allison T56-A-15 turboprops, 4,910 shp each.
Maximum speed: 300 mph (480 km/h).
Range: 2,530 mi (4,070 km).
Service ceiling: 30,000 ft (9,100 m).
Length: 97 ft 10 in (29.8 m).
Wingspan: 132 ft 7 in (40.4 m).
Crew: fourteen
Weapons: two 20mm M61 Vulcan cannons; one 40mm (1.58 in) L/60 Bofors cannon; one 105mm (4.13 in) M102 howitzer.
AC-130 Spectre Gunchip in Action (Video)
