The Lockheed AC-130 gunship is a heavily armed, long-endurance ground-attack variant of the
C-130 Hercules transport fixed-wing aircraft. It carries a wide array of anti-ground oriented
weapons that are integrated with sophisticated sensors, navigation, and fire-control systems.
Unlike other military fixed-wing aircraft, the AC-130 relies on visual targeting. Because
its large profile and low operating altitudes make it an easy target, it usually flies close
air support missions at night.
The airframe is manufactured by Lockheed Martin, while Boeing is responsible for the conversion
into a gunship and for aircraft support. Developed during the Vietnam War as 'Project Gunship
II', the AC-130 replaced the Douglas AC-47 Spooky, or 'Gunship I'. The sole operator
is the United States Air Force, which uses the AC-130U Spooky and AC-130W Stinger II
variants for close air support, air interdiction, and force protection, with the AC-130J Ghostrider
in development. Close air support roles include supporting ground troops, escorting convoys,
and urban operations. Air interdiction missions are conducted against planned targets and
targets of opportunity. Force protection missions include defending air bases and other facilities.
AC-130Us are based at Hurlburt Field, Florida, while AC-130Ws are based at Cannon AFB, New
Mexico; gunships can be deployed worldwide. The squadrons are part of the Air Force Special
Operations Command, a component of the United States Special Operations Command.
The AC-130 has an unpressurized cabin, with the weaponry mounted to fire from the port
side of the fuselage. During an attack, the gunship performs a pylon turn, flying in a
large circle around the target, therefore being able to fire at it for far longer than
in a conventional strafing attack. The AC-130H Spectre was armed with two 20 mm M61 Vulcan
cannons, one Bofors 40 mm cannon, and one 105 mm M102 howitzer; after 1994, the 20 mm
cannons were removed. The upgraded AC-130U Spooky has a single 25 mm GAU-12 Equalizer
cannon in place of the Spectre's two 20 mm cannons, an improved fire control system,
and increased ammunition capacity.
The new AC-130J is based on the MC-130J Combat Shadow II special operations tanker as of
2012. The AC-130W is armed with one 30 mm Bushmaster cannon, AGM-176 Griffin missiles,
and GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs.
The Air Force decided to add a 105 mm cannon to the AC-130J in addition to the 30 mm cannon
and smart bombs, the shells being more accurate and cheaper than dropping Small Diameter Bombs.
Air Force Special Operations Command is interested in adding a directed-energy weapon to the
AC-130J by 2020, similar to the previous Advanced Tactical Laser program. It is to produce a
beam of up to 120 kW, or potentially even 180–200 kW, weigh about 2,300 kg, defensively
destroy anti-aircraft missiles, and offensively engage communications towers, boats, cars,
and aircraft. However, laser armament may only be installed on a few aircraft rather
than the entire AC-130J fleet; the laser will be mounted on the side in place of the 30
mm cannon.
AC-130 is capable of delivering precision firepower or area-saturation fire over a target
area over a long period of time, at night or in adverse weather. The sensor suite consists
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.
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS Crew: 13
Officers: 5 (pilot, copilot, navigator, fire control officer, electronic warfare officer)
Enlisted: 8 (flight engineer, TV operator, infrared detection set operator, loadmaster,
four aerial gunners)
Length: 29.8 m Wingspan: 40.4 m
Height: 11.7 m Wing area: 162.2 m²
Loaded weight: 55,520 kg Max. takeoff weight: 169,750 kg
Powerplant: 4 × Allison T56-A-15 turboprops, 3,700 kW each
PERFORMANCE Maximum speed: 480 km/h
Range: 4,070 km Service ceiling: 9,100 m
UNIT COST AC-130H: US$132.4 million
AC-130U: US$253 million (2016)
ARMAMENT See
in the description