Lockheed AC-130H Spectre / AC-130U Spooky

History

War planners have relied on the power of mobile air strikes to keep enemies on the alert since the advent of aircraft as a tool of war. From the simple throwing of arrows at enemy positions in World War I to the direct contact attacks that were prevalent in World War II, the difference between the modified C-130 family of attack helicopters (called AC, depending on the model) ) even more so.

130H "Ghost" and AC-130U "Ghost"). Spectre and Spooky systems have become a vital part of the ever-changing battlefield, where contact with enemy forces is likely and the need for accurate and powerful air artillery becomes increasingly important.

Derived from the AC-47 family of armed combat helicopters, the AC-130 conducted extensive and successful operations against enemy forces during the Vietnam War. The exterior is very similar to the base C-130 transport model - the system has proven itself to be one of the most successful transport designs of all time - but comes with a deadly array of revolver guns, cannons and howitzers. From a basic design standpoint, the AC-130 is a shoulder-mounted straight-wing system with a large rudder at the tail.

Four Allison turboprops are mounted under the wings, two on each wing. The spacious cargo compartment of the base C130 allows the transport of the powerful 105mm gun as well as additional weapons, ammunition and necessary systems.

The AC-130 maintains its lethality by supporting contacting forces, often referred to simply as "TIC". The AC-130 system is tasked with loitering over the combat area, often operating in the dark or in bad weather, and using advanced targeting and fire control systems to support ground forces in need. Despite its impressive weaponry, the AC-130 cannot defeat enemy heavy tanks or bunkers, but can attack concrete structures and lightly armored vehicles with armor-piercing projectiles.

Due to the close proximity of the operation to friendly forces, the AC-130 was often brought into view with live rounds before reaching the target area. Fire only from one side of the aircraft, requiring the aircraft to be on a deliberately banked bank to launch the attack.

As a low-flying system, the AC-130 needs to eliminate air defense threats before entering enemy airspace, although the system provides radar jamming and countermeasures.

The current generation of the AC-130 system is divided into two variants, known as the AC-130H and the AC-130U. In addition to the different avionics and subsystems, the two aircraft share many similarities.

In terms of armament, however, the AC-130U is armed with a 25mm gun to complement the standard 40mm gun and 105mm howitzer. The recognized callsign for the AC-130H series is the menacing "ghost", while the AC-130U series enjoys the mysterious "ghost" callsign.

The 2001 unit price for the AC-130H system was estimated at $132,400,000 and the unit price for the AC-130U system was $190,000,000. The AC-130U also employs an additional crew, including a pilot, co-pilot, fire control officer, flight engineer, navigator, television operator, four gunners, a loading supervisor, and an infrared detection equipment operator and an electronic warfare officer.

The crew of the AC-130H was only 8 people.

The AC-130 crew saw Vietnam in action, proving the value of the system time and time again in Operation Just Cause to retake the tiny island nation of Panama in 1989. From there, Operation Desert Storm put the AC-130 back into service, and the crew warmed up for the inevitable operation over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Currently deployed as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, the AC-130 has solidified its place in the U.S. military stockpileboth for wartime use and emergency overseas evacuation of U.S. non-combatants.

AC-130 is limited to 8 AC-130H models and 13 AC-130U models.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes