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| AC-130 |
Militarymedia.net | The Lockheed Martin AC-130 Specter gunship is the heavily armed ground attack variant of the C-130 Hercules. This military aircraft was developed during the Vietnam War. It made its first flight in 1966. This type was adopted by the US Air Force (USAF) in 1968. It replaced the previous Douglas AC-47 Spooky fighter. A total of 47 AC-130 combat units, including variants, were converted from C-130 transports. In 2018 this type will operate for 50 years. This fighter was never exported outside the United States.
The main role of this unusual aircraft is close air support. It can engage enemy positions, protect ground troops or escort convoys. The aircraft can deliver accurate and continuous fire to a single point on the ground. The AC-130 fighter is flown by a special operations squadron.
These aircraft are capable of flying faster than helicopters, operate at higher altitudes, have a longer roaming time in the target area, can carry much heavier weaponry and much more ammunition.
Weapons are mounted by firing from the left side of the fuselage. During the attack, the warships fly in a large circle around the target. So this aircraft can hit targets longer than helicopters, conventional ground attack aircraft or multi-role fighters.
Different variants of this aircraft have different armaments. The original AC-130A was armed with four 7.62 mm GAU-2/A miniguns and four 20 mm M61 Vulcan guns. The upgraded AC-130E and AC-130H aircraft have a tougher punch. It is armed with two 20 mm M61 Vulcan cannon, one 40 mm Bofors cannon and one M102 105 mm howitzer. The AC-130U is currently armed with a 25 mm GAU-12 Equalizer gun, one 40 mm Bofors gun and one 105 mm M102 howitzer.
The aircraft has an advanced fire control system. However it relies on visual targeting.
The AC-130 is operated by a crew of 11-13 people, depending on the variant. The cabin of the AC-130 is not pressurized.
The AC-130 fighter usually operates at night, as it is an easy target due to its large profile and low operating altitude. When striking a target, the aircraft operates at an altitude of only 1.1 - 2.5 km.
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| AC-130 Ground attack aircraft |
AC-130 Variant
Ghost AC-130A. This is the original version. A total of 19 aircraft were converted to this standard from the C-130A Hercules transport. It is armed with four 7.62 mm GAU-2/A miniguns and four 20 mm M61 Vulcan cannons. In 1975 all of these aircraft were transferred to the Air Force Reserve and finally retired in 1995.
AC-130E ghost. It was introduced in 1969. A total of 11 aircraft were converted from the C-130E transport. It is armed with two 20 mm M61 Vulcan cannon, one 40 mm Bofors cannon and one M102 105 mm howitzer. Then 8 or 10 of these aircraft were further upgraded to the better AC-130H standard.
Ghost AC-130H. A total of 8 or 10 of these aircraft were upgraded from the previous AC-130E configuration. This version is armed with two 20 mm M61 Vulcan guns, one 40 mm Bofors cannon and one M102 105 mm howitzer. It appears that after 2000 the two 20 mm Vulcan guns were removed. The last of these aircraft was retired in 2015.
Ghostrider AC-130J. Is a new version, based on the special operations tanker MC-130J Combat Shadow II. This version made its first flight in 2014. It is armed with one 30 mm ATK GAU-23/A Bushmaster cannon, 105 mm M102 howitzer, AGM-176 Griffin, and AGM-114, GBU-39, GBU-44/B Hellfire missiles. Viper Strike, and GBU-53/B bombs. It is planned that as many as 16 aircraft will be ordered.
AC-130U Seram II. This is an upgraded version. The aircraft is armed with a 25 mm GAU-12 Equalizer cannon, one 40 mm Bofors cannon and one 105 mm M102 howitzer. It has also increased ammunition capacity and improved fire control systems. Currently 17 of these aircraft are in service with the USAF.
Stinger AC-130W II. Is the new version. It is armed with one ATK GAU-23/A Bushmaster 30 mm cannon, AGM-176 Griffin, and AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, GBU-39, GBU-44/B Viper Strike, and GBU-53/B bombs. This version is currently in service with the USAF.
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| Lockheed Martin AC-130 |
