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. (3:07)
What does the 130 mean in AC-130?
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.
Was the AC-130 gunship used in Vietnam?
They were used in Vietnam from 1962-1970. Beginning in 1965, the C-130 Hercules with its four turbo-prop engines, superior 15-ton payload, and its ability to rapidly offload palletized cargo dominated airlift operations in Vietnam. As ground combat increased, so did airlift requirements.
How far can a 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.
How much does a AC-130 gunship cost?
Lockheed AC-130
| AC-130 Spectre / Spooky / Ghostrider / Stinger II | |
|---|---|
| Status | In service |
| Primary user | United States Air Force |
| Number built | 47 (in all variants) |
| Unit cost | AC-130H: US$132.4 million AC-130U: US$190 million (2002) |
Is AC 130 still in service?
The AC-130U returned from its final combat deployment on 8 July 2019; the final AC-130U was retired in August 2019.
What is the nickname for the AC 130?
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. The Blue Angels use Fat Albert for cargo and personnel transport to the team’s popular airshows.
What replaced the AC-130 gunship?
AC-130J Ghostrider
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. The first test flight of the AC-130J Ghostrider was completed in January 2014.
How much does a AC 130 gunship cost?
What replaced the AC 130 gunship?
What is the nickname for the AC-130?
Are there lasers on the AC-130 gunship?
(The Answer Is Lasers.) While a bit behind schedule, the Air Force’s gunship is finally getting outfitted with lasers. The Air Force will test a 60 kilowatt laser on an AC-130 gunship in 2022. The weapon won’t be powerful enough to kill, but it will give the gunship less than lethal options for dealing with enemies on the ground.
When was the AC-130 Spectre gunship made?
In 1987, Rockwell International’s North American division began to modify the C-130 Hercules airframe, manufactured by the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, for the AC-130 gunship. The newest version, the AC-130U Spectre gunship, replaced the original AC-130A and represented a major advancement.
How does the Lockheed AC-130 gunship work?
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.
When did Boeing change the gunship to an AC 130u?
In 2003, Boeing began to modify four C-130Hs into AC-130Us, substantially increasing the gunship’s combat effectiveness and survivability. Another major upgrade is the integration of a 30 mm weapon, replacing the 25 mm and 40 mm guns on the U-models.