Is the gunship an 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 is the newest AC-130 gunship?

The AC-130J is the fifth generation gunship replacing the fleet of AC-130U Spooky and AC-130W Stinger II gunships. AC-130 gunships have an extensive combat history dating back to Vietnam where gunships destroyed more than 10,000 trucks and were credited with many life-saving, close air support missions.

Does AC-130 have missiles?

The AC-130J has two planned increments: the Block 10 configuration includes an internal 30 mm gun, small diameter bombs, and laser-guided missiles launched from the rear cargo door; and Block 20 configuration adds a 105 mm cannon, large aircraft infrared countermeasures, wing-mounted Hellfire missiles, and radio- …

How fast does an AC-130 shoot?

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-130A was equipped with down facing Gatling guns affixed to the left side of the aircraft with an analog fire control system.

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.

How fast does AC 130 have to go to take off?

The Air Force Research Laboratory funded Lockheed and Boeing demonstrators for the Speed Agile concept, which had the goal of making a STOL aircraft that can take off and land at speeds as low as 70 kn (130 km/h; 81 mph) on airfields less than 2,000 ft (610 m) long and cruise at Mach 0.8-plus.

What will replace the AC 130?

AC-130J Ghostrider, a modified version of the MC-130J aircraft, is the replacement for the AC-130H/U aircraft of the US Air Force. Lockheed Martin will deliver 37 AC-130J Ghostrider aircraft to the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) by 2021.

Where are the Air Force AC 130 gunships located?

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 (AFSOC), a component of the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM).

Who is the manufacturer of the Lockheed AC-130?

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,…

When did the AC-130 gunship first arrive in Vietnam?

The AC-130 gunship first arrived in South Vietnam on 21 September 1967 under the Gunship II program and began combat operations over Laos and South Vietnam that year. In June 1968, AC-130s were deployed to Tan Son Nhut AB near Saigon for support against the Tet Offensive .

When did the Air Force get the AC-130J Combat Shadow?

The Air Force launched an initiative in 2011 to acquire 16 new gunships based on newly built MC-130J Combat Shadow II special-operations tankers outfitted with a “precision strike package” to give them an attack capability, requesting $1.6 billion from fiscal years 2011 through 2015.