Derived from the legendary C-130 Hercules transport airframe, the Lockheed AC-130 gunship was developed during the Vietnam War to provide close air support, air interdiction, and force protection. The AC-130H Spectre variant, operated primarily by the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) and Air Force Reserve, gained legendary status for its night-attack capabilities and side-firing artillery layout, allowing the aircraft to pylon-turn around a ground target while maintaining continuous firepower.
Equipped with sophisticated sensor suites, night-vision sensors, and radar target tracking, Spectre gunships saw extensive action across conflicts including Vietnam, Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada, Just Cause in Panama, Desert Storm, and post-9/11 operations in Afghanistan and Iraq before their official retirement in 2015.
Technical Specifications (Real Aircraft)
- Manufacturer: Lockheed Corporation / Boeing
- Type: Close Air Support / Special Operations Gunship
- First Flight: AC-130H variant deployed 1972 / Retired 2015
- Powerplant: 4 × Allison T56-A-15 turboprops (4,591 shp / 3,424 kW each)
- Maximum Speed: 480 km/h (300 mph / 260 knots)
- Range: 4,070 km (2,530 mi)
- Service Ceiling: 33,000 ft (10,000 m)
- Armament (AC-130H Standard):
- 2 × 20mm M61 Vulcan cannons
- 1 × 40mm L/60 Bofors cannon
- 1 × 105mm M102 howitzer
- Wingspan: 40.4 m (132 ft 7 in)
- Overall Length: 29.8 m (97 ft 9 in)
-
