What is the AC-130 nickname?

The C-130 support aircraft for the U.S. Navy Air Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, is called “Fat Albert” or “Bert” for short. The name is originated from the popular 1970s cartoon Fat Albert.

What is an AC-130 armed with?

The AC-130 is armed with a fearsome array of weaponry, including a 105 mm cannon and 25 or 40 mm gatling guns. The AC-130U employs a synthetic aperture strike radar for long-range and adverse weather target detection and identification.

What is the most powerful gunship?

AC-130
The AC-130 is the world’s biggest flying artillery gunship – nicknamed ‘Hell in the Sky. ‘ With three side-firing weapons, a 25mm Gatling gun, a 40mm Bofors cannon, and a 105mm howitzer, it’s easy to see why it got its name.

What does AC-130 stand for?

attack-cargo
The gunship’s AC identifier stands for attack-cargo. The aircraft is powered by four turboprop engines and has a flight speed of 300 mph and a flight range of 1,300 miles, depending on weight. The AC-130 gunship’s primary missions are close air support, air interdiction and force protection.

How much does an AC-130 cost?

Although the AC-130U conducts some operations in daylight, most of its combat missions are conducted at night. The AC-130H’s unit cost is US$132.4 million, and the AC-130U’s cost is $190 million (fiscal 2001 dollars).

How long can an AC-130 fly?

The AC-130J can fly a maximum range of 3,000 miles and up to 28,000 feet in the air – about twice as far, and roughly 3,000 feet higher than the AC-130U.

How far can an AC-130 shoot?

20,000 feet
The AC-130 can still hit targets from as far as 20,000 feet up.

What is the most heavily armed plane?

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 ground attack weapons that are integrated with sophisticated sensors, navigation, and fire-control systems.

Has an AC-130 been shot down?

The 14-person crew’s AC-130H Spectre gunship was shot down by an Iraqi surface-to-air missile while conducting a combat mission during Operation Desert Storm, Jan. 31, 1991. “It’s like losing a member of your family,” said Retired Chief Master Sgt.

How long can an AC 130 fly?

Has an AC 130 been shot down?

How much does an AC 130 cost?

When did the AC-130 Spectre come out?

The AC-130H “Spectre” gunships were fielded in 1972 and retired in 2015. The AC-130 gunship has a combat history dating to Vietnam. Gunships destroyed more than 10,000 trucks and were credited with many life-saving close air support missions.

How tall is the AC-130A Spectre gunship?

AC-130A Spectre. The AC-130 Spectre gunship in the Air Park is an AC-130A model named the “Ultimate End.”. The A-model gunship was the first AC-130 model. The aircraft is 97 feet 9 inches long and 38 feet 3 inches tall.

What kind of aircraft is the Lockheed AC-130 Spectre?

Lockheed AC-130 Spectre. The Lockheed AC-130 Spectre is a heavily-armed ground-attack aircraft based on the Hercules C-130 created to replace the AC-47 Spooky. The basic airframe is manufactured by Lockheed, Boeing is responsible for the conversion into a gunship and for aircraft support.

What kind of Cannon does an AC-130 Spectre have?

The AC-130H Spectre was armed with two 20 mm M61 Vulcan cannons, one L60 Bofors 40 mm cannon, and one 105 mm M102 howitzer; after 1994, the 20 mm cannons were removed.