In 1969, the AC-130 received the Surprise Package, which included 20mm rotary autocannons and a 40mm Bofors cannon configuration. The AC-130A was equipped with down facing Gatling guns affixed to the left side of the aircraft with an analog fire control system. 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 gunship’s AC identifier stands for attack-cargo. The Hercules cargo airframe was converted into AC-130A (Project Gunship II) because it could fly faster, longer, higher and with increased munitions load capabilities. DEVELOPMENTĭuring the Vietnam War the C-130 Hercules airframe was selected to replace the original gunship, the Douglas AC-47 Spooky (Project Gunship I). The Air Force is the only operator of the AC-130 and the gunship has been providing close air support for special operators for the last 50 years. The AC-130 relies heavily on visual targeting at low altitudes and punishes enemy targets while performing pylon turns around a fixed point on the ground during attack. The heavily armed aircraft is outfitted with sophisticated sensor, navigation and fire control systems, allowing it to track and target multiple targets using multiple munitions with surgical precision.Īnother strength of the gunship is the ability to loiter in the air for extended periods of time, providing aerial protection at night and during adverse weather. The primary missions of the gunship are close air support, air interdiction and armed reconnaissance.

Air force gunship