The Lockheed AC-130 combat is an army, long-lasting attack variant of permanent C-130 Hercules fixed aircraft. It carries a variety of integrated anti-land weapons with advanced sensors, navigation, and fire-control systems. Unlike other military fixed-wing aircraft, AC-130 relies on visual targeting. Because of its large profile and low operating altitude (about 7,000 feet) makes it an easy target, usually flying near the air support missions at night.
The aircraft body is manufactured by Lockheed Martin, while Boeing is responsible for conversion into weapons and for aircraft support. Developed during the Vietnam War as 'Project Gunship II', AC-130 replaced Douglas AC-47 Spooky, or 'Gunship I'. The sole operator is the United States Air Force, which uses the AC-130U Spooky and AC-130W Stinger II variants for air support, air bans, and power protection, with AC-130J Ghostrider under development. The role of close air support includes supporting ground troops, escorting convoys, and urban operations. Air interdiction missions are carried out against planned targets and target opportunities. Mission protection forces include maintaining air base and other facilities. AC-130Us are based in Hurlburt Field, Florida, while AC-130Ws are based in Cannon AFB, New Mexico; combat weapons can be used all over the world. The squadron is part of the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), a component of the US Special Operations Command (SOCOM).
The AC-130 has an unpressure cabin, with an armament mounted to shoot from the left side of the plane. During an attack, the fighter performs a pylon turn, flying in a large circle around the target, so as to shoot it longer than in a conventional assault attack. The AC-130H Specter is armed with two 20 mm M61 Vulcan cannon, one L60 Bofors 40 mm cannon, and one 105 mm M102 howitzer; after 1994, the span <20 mm was removed. Upgrades Spooky AC-130U has a single GAU-12 Equalizer 25 mm in place of two two-spectron cannons 20 mm , an enhanced fire control system, and increased ammunition capacity..
The new AC-130J is based on a special operation tanker MC-130J Commando II in 2012. The AC-130W Stinger II is armed with a 30 mm Mk44 Bushmaster II cannon, AGM-176 Griffin missile, and GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb (SDBs).
Video Lockheed AC-130
Development
Origins
During the Vietnam War, C-130 Hercules was chosen to replace the Douglas AC-47 Spooky (Gunship I I) weapon to improve mission endurance and increase capacity to carry ammunition. Being able to fly faster than helicopters and in the highlands with excellent wilting time, the use of pole shifts allows AC-47 to produce continuous accurate shots to a single point on the ground.
In 1967, JC-130A 54-1626 was chosen to be converted into a prototype AC-130A (Project Gunship II). Modifications were made at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base by the Aeronautical Systems Division. A telescope vision night vision is directly mounted on the front door, the infrared device looks front forwards on the front of the left wheels well, and the Gatling gun remains face down and stern along the left side. The prototype analog fire control computer was made by Wing RAF Commander Tom Pinkerton at the Avionics USAF Laboratory at Wright-Patterson AFB. Flight testing of prototypes was performed mainly at Eglin Air Force Base, followed by further testing and modification. In September 1967, the aircraft was certified ready for combat tests and flown to Nha Trang Air Base, South Vietnam for a 90-day test program. The AC-130 was then equipped with the AC-119 Shadow (Project Gunship III), which later proved less powerful.
Seven warplanes were converted to a "Plain Jane" configuration such as the AC-130 prototype in 1968, and one aircraft received a "Surprise Package" reparation in 1969. The upgraded Surprise Package included the newest 20 mm rotary autocannons and a Bofors 40mm cannon but no armament support near 7.62 mm. The Configuration Package configuration functions as a test bed for the avionics and armament systems for AC-130E. In 1970, ten AC-130A was obtained under the "Pave Pronto" project. In the summer of 1971, the AC-130 Surprise Package was converted to the Ponto Pronto configuration and earned the new nickname 'Thor'. Converting C-130Es to AC-130Es for "PAVE Specter" project followed. Regardless of the name of their project, the aircraft is more commonly referred to by the squadron 'Specter' call sign.
Latest and planned updates
In 2007, the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) began a program to improve the armament of AC-130. The pilot program is planned for 25 mm GAU-12/U and 40 mm Bofors guns on AC-130U rifles to be replaced with two Bushmaster II 30 mm cannons. In 2007, the Air Force modified four AC-130U shots as test platforms for the Bushmasters. This is referred to as AC-130U Plus 4 or AC-130U 4. AFSOC, however, canceled its plan to install a new cannon on the fleet of AC-130Us. Since then it has removed the rifle and reassembled the original 40 mm and 25 mm cannon and returned the aircraft to combat the task. Brigadier General Bradley A. Heithold, director of plans, programs, requirements, and assessment of AFSOC, said on August 11, 2008 that the attempt was canceled due to problems with Bushmaster's accuracy in the "at our height" test. There are also schedule considerations that drive the decision, he said.
There are also plans to replace 105 mm cannon with 120 mm M120 mortar loading, and to provide AC-130 deadlock capability using AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, Advanced Precision Weapon System (based on Hydra 70 rocket), or Viper Strike bomb launch.
In 2010, the Air Force awarded L-3 Communications a $ 61 million contract to add a precision strike package to eight MC-130W Combat Strike fighters to give them attacking capabilities such as warships; The so-called MC-130W is known as Dragon Spears . The Air Force Special Operations Command armed the aircraft to ease the high operational demands on the AC-130 until the new AC-130J service came in. Dragon Spear MC-130W was renamed to AC-130W Stinger II in 2011. The precision strike package consists of 30 mm rifles and some precision guided munitions (PGMs). The rails are mounted on an outer wing plane for four Hellfire missiles, SDBs, or SDB II under each. 10 Common Launch Tubes (CLTs) mounted on the back road to fire the Griffin A missiles; Additional missiles are stored in aircraft which can be reloaded in flight. CLT is capable of firing other small munitions that can fit into a 6-inch (15 cm) diameter tube-a diameter of 48 in (1.2 m).
The Air Force launched an initiative in 2011 to acquire 16 new combat based on the MC-130J Combat Shadow II special operations tanker equipped with a "precision strike package" to give them attacking ability, asking for $ 1.6 billion from Fiscal Year 2011 to 2015. This will increase the size of the fleet of combat ships into 33 aircraft, a net increase of eight after the planned retirement of eight AC-130H aging. The first aircraft will be purchased at Fiscal 2012, followed by two in Fiscal 2013, five in Fiscal 2014, and eight finals in Fiscal 2015. The decision to retain the C-130 came after funding for 16 C-27js was removed from fiscal 2010. The AC- 130J will follow the Dragon Spear program path. On January 9, 2013, the Air Force began converting the first MC-130J Combat Shadow II to AC-130J Ghostrider and delivering it to AFSOC on July 29, 2015. The first AC-130J battle reached its initial operational capability (IOC) on September 30, 2017. AC-130J has two additions planned: Block 10 configuration includes 30 mm internal weapons, small diameter bombs, and laser missiles launched from rear cargo doors; and Block 20 configuration adds 105 mm cannons, large infrared aircraft handles, wing mounted Hellfire missiles, and radio frequency countermeasures.
The Air Force decided to add a 105 mm cannon to the AC-130J in addition to 30 mm cannons and smart bombs, the shells are more accurate and less expensive than dropping the SDBs. AFSOC is interested in adding energy-directed weapons to the AC-130J by 2020, similar to the previous Advanced Tactical Laser program. This is to produce up to 120 kW, or even potentially 180-200 kW rays, weigh about 5,000 pounds (2,300 kg), defensive crush anti-aircraft missiles, and aggressively attack communications towers, ships, cars and airplanes.. However, laser guns can only be mounted on multiple planes rather than the entire AC-130J fleet; the laser will be mounted on the side in place of 30 mm cannon. Other potential additions include an active rejection system for controlling air masses, and small unmanned aerial vehicles from a general launch tube to provide remote video feeds and coordinates to weapon operators via cloud cover. Called the Tactical Off-board Sensor (TOBS), the drones will be discarded and flown along the programmed orbits to verify targets the aircraft can not see due to bad weather or stand up from air defense. AFSOC will initially utilize a small UAV Raytheon Coyote for the TOBS mission, as this is an off-the-shelf design with an hour's durability, but plans to fulfill a role with a new drone that can last up to four hours in 2019..
The Air Force is also interested in obtaining a launch bomb that can be launched from a general launch tube capable of crashing a ground vehicle that speeds as fast as 120 km/h (70 mph) while above 10,000 feet (3,000 m). In June 2016, Dynetics was awarded a contract by SOCOM to integrate tactical weapons into AC-130. Appointed Munitions Glide GBU-69/B Small, heavy weapons 27 kg (60 pounds) and armed with explosive warhead-fragmentation 16 kg (35bb) that can blow up with direct impact or at previously selected heights; though smaller, which has no power allows more volume for its warheads to become heavier than the Hellfire and Griffin A missiles, each 9 kg (20 pounds) and 5.9 kg (13 pounds). The guide is provided by a GPS receiver with anti-spoofing software and four Four-Active Laser Seeker (DASALS) apertures adapted from WGU-59/B APKWS for terminal guidance. Fielding is planned in 2017. Dynetics was awarded a contract to provide an initial batch of 70 SGMs by June 2017, with plans to buy up to 1,000. SGM can travel 20 miles (32 km).
Future
By 2018, the AC-130 helicopter will provide close air support for specialized operators for 50 years. Although the aircraft have remained relevant through constant upgrades to weapons, sensor packages, and countermeasures, they are not expected to survive in unlikely environments in the future because of their high signatures and low airspeed. Military analysts, such as the Center for Strategic and Budget Studies, have suggested that AFSOC invests in more advanced technology to fill the role of operating in future contested battle zones, including a mixture of unmanned combat aircraft and hidden strikes.
Maps Lockheed AC-130
Design
Overview
AC-130 is a durable aircraft carrying an integrated anti-land weapon with advanced sensors, navigation, and fire control systems. This tool is able to provide precision weapons or fire saturation area above the target area in the long term, at night or in bad weather. The sensor suite consists of a television sensor, infrared sensor, and radar. These sensors allow weapons to visually or electronically identify friendly ground forces and targets in most weather conditions.
AC-130U is equipped with AN/APQ-180, synthetic aperture radar for long-range target detection and identification. This submarine navigation device includes an inertial navigation system and a Global Positioning System. The AC-130U uses a technology developed in the 1990s that allowed it to strike two targets simultaneously. It has twice the capacity of ammunition AC-130H. Although the AC-130U performs several daytime operations, most of its combat missions are performed at night. The cost of the AC-130H unit is US $ 132.4 million, and the cost of AC-130U is US $ 190 million (fiscal 2001 dollars).
Upgrade
During the Vietnam War era, various versions of the AC-130 followed the modification of Pave Pronto equipped with a magnetic anomaly detector system called Black Crow (designated AN/ASD-5), a highly sensitive passive device with a gradual array antenna located at the left nose radome which can take local deviations in the Earth's magnetic field that is usually used to detect submerged submarines. The Black Crow system is powered by an AC-130A/E/H targeting computer, enabling the detection of ignition coils from a North Vietnamese truck hidden under a thick jungle foliage along Ho Chi Minh's lane. It can also detect handheld transmitter signals from the air controllers on the ground to identify and locate targets.
PGM-38/U raises 25 mm explosive explosive rounds made to extend the mission of the AC-130U shooter in standoff range and durability to 25 mm GAU-12/U gun. This rotation is a combination of existing HEI PGU-25 and fuze M758 defined as FMU-151/B to meet MIL-STD-1316. FMU-151 has increased arming delay with multi-sensitive range.
Operational history
Vietnam War
The AC-130 warship first arrived in South Vietnam on 21 September 1967 under the Gunship II program and started combat operations over Laos and South Vietnam that year. In June 1968, AC-130 was deployed to Tan Son Nhut AB near Saigon to support Tet attacks. On 30 October 1968, enough AC-130 Gunship II arrived to form a squadron, 16th Special Operations Squad (SOS) from the 8th Tactical Combat Wing (TFW), at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand. It was at this point that the C-130A fighter was designated as AC-130A.
On August 18, 1968, an AC-130 fighter flying an armed surveillance mission in the Vietnam III Corps was diverted to support Special Forces Katum Camp. The ground commander quickly assessed the accurate fire and capabilities of this weapon system and called for fire around himself when the Viet Cong attempted to bridge the wire on the west side of its position.
In December 1968, most of the AC-130 flew under the companion of the F-4 Phantom II (to protect firearms against heavy and concentrated AAA fire) from the 497th Tactical Combatron Squadron, usually three Phantoms per Gunship. On May 24, 1969, the first Specter fighter was lost by enemy fire.
At the end of 1969, under the code name "Surprise Package", 56-0490 arrived with a low-level bright-level-light-TV laser with a companion YAG laser designator, an enhanced advanced looking infrared (FLIR) sensor, video recording for TV and FLIR, inertial navigation systems, and computer fire control digital prototypes. The remaining AC-130 was reinstalled with similar equipment that was upgraded in the summer of 1970, and then moved to Ubon RTAFB. On October 25, 1971, the first "Cadillac" warship, the AC-130E arrived in Vietnam. On February 17, 1972, the first 105 mm cannon arrived to serve with Specter and was installed in the Gunship 570. It was used from mid-February until the aircraft received damage to the battle on its right wing. The cannon was diverted to Gunship 571 and used until March 30 when the plane was shot down.
On January 28, 1973, the Vietnam peace treaty came into force, marking the end of the Specters' operation in Vietnam. Specter is still needed and active in the region, supporting operations in Laos and Cambodia. On February 22, 1973, the US offensive operation in Laos came to an end and the arsenal became fully committed to operations in the Cambodian conflict.
On April 12, 1975, the Khmer Rouge threatened the capital Phnom Penh and the AC-130 was asked to assist in Operation Eagle Drag, the last evacuation of American officials and allies from Phnom Penh before being conquered by communists. The AC-130 also passed through Saigon on April 30, 1975 to protect the last evacuation in Operation Wind Frequently. The Specters were also called when SS Mayaguez was captured, in the open sea, by the Khmer Rouge army and sailors on May 15, 1975.
Six AC-130s and 52 crew members were lost during the war. AC-130 destroyed more than 10,000 trucks and participated in many important close air support missions in Vietnam.
Cold War and subsequent action
With the conclusion of hostility in Southeast Asia in the mid-1970s, the AC-130H became the only regular combat aircraft carrier, home based in Hurlburt Field, Florida, while the AC-130A fleet was moved to 919 from the Reserve Air Force. Tactical Airlift Group (919 TAG) at Eglin AFB Auxiliary Field # 3/Duke Field, Florida. With the transition to AC-130A, TAG 919 was redesigned as the 919 Special Operations Group (919 SOG).
In the late 1970s, when the AC-130H fleet was first modified for in-flight refueling capabilities, demonstration missions were planned and flown from Hurlburt Field, Florida, relentlessly, to conduct a 2-hour shooting mission Imperial Empire Range in the Republic Panama, then back home. This 13 hour mission with two in-flight refueling from a KC-135 tanker proves the validity of long-distance mission flights outside the adjacent United States to attack targets and then return to home base without interruption.
AC-130 from the 4th and 16th Special Operations Squadron has been deployed in almost every conflict where the United States has been involved, officially and unofficially, since the end of the Vietnam War.
In July 1979, the AC-130H crew was deployed to Howard Air Force Base, Panama, as a precaution against possible hostile action against American personnel during the Nicaraguan Revolution. More recently, the higher and non-stop mileage records were then fixed by the 16-ship SOS 2-ship AC-130H formation departing from Hurlburt Field on 13 November 1979 and landed on Nov. 15 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, which is about 7,200 nautical miles (13,300 km) and 29 hours 43 minutes non-stop, refuel four times in flight. The fueling support for the Guam deployment is provided by the KC-135 crew from the 305th Airfeeding Wing of Grissom AFB, Indiana.
In November 1979, four AC-130H fighter boats flew incessantly from Hurlburt Field to Anderson AFB, Guam, due to hostage situation at the Embassy in Iran. In Guam, the AC-130H crew develops an outgoing/out-of-light fuel-out procedure to work with trial-and-error. This deployment with 1 SOW/CC as commander of Task Force directed from CJCS office for fear that Iranian militants could start executing US Embassy personnel held hostage on 4 November. One initial option is considered a AC-130H retaliatory strike deep inside Iran. Then, the combat flight surpassed Hurlburt-to-Guam flight in 1979. After returning in March 1980, the four planes soon found themselves in Egypt to support the hostile efforts of hostage support.
During Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada in 1983, the AC-130s suppressed the enemy air defense system and attacked ground troops that allowed Point Salines Airfield attacks through friendly landmines and air force troops. Aircrew AC-130 won the award of Lt. Gen. William H. Tunner for the mission.
AC-130H from the 16th Special Operations Squadron unit maintains a continuous rotation to Howard AB, Panama, monitors activities in El Salvador and other points of interest in Central America, with an engagement rule that ultimately allows attacks on FMLN targets. This Maintainers and crew commitment started in 1983 and lasted until 1990. The AC-130 was considered to have accelerated the end of the El Salvador Civil War in the 1980s. The crew flew from a camouflage mission from Honduras and attacked the camps and guerrilla concentration.
AC-130 also played a major role during the US invasion of Panama (named Operation Just Cause) in 1989, when they destroyed the Panamanian Defense Force headquarters and various command and control facilities, and provided close air support for US ground forces. Aircrews won the Mackay Trophy for the most prestigious flight of the year, and the Tunner Award.
Gulf War and 1990s
During the 1990-91 Gulf War (Desert Operations and Desert Storms), the Regular Air Force and Air Force Reserve AC-130 provided air support and power protection (airbase defense) for ground troops, and battlefield interdiction. The main prohibition targets are early warning/ground control (EW/GCI) sites along the southern border of Iraq. At a standard height of 12,000 feet, the plane has a proven ability to engage moving ground targets. The first combat ships entering the Battle of Khafji helped stop the southern armored column on 29 January 1991. One day later, three more warships provided further assistance to the Marines who participated in the operation. The combat ships attacked positions and Iraqi columns moved south to strengthen their position in the north of the city.
Despite the threat of surface-to-air (SAM) missiles and increased visibility during the morning hours of January 31, 1991, one AC-130H, AF Serial No. 69-6567, call-sign Spirit 03, chose to continue to protect the Marines. An Iraqi lone with Strela-2 MANPADS shot Spirit 03 down, and all 14 crew members were killed.
The military had used AC-130 fighter jets during humanitarian operations in Somalia (Operation Restore Hope and Operation United Shield) in 1992-1993, Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti in 1994. AC-130s took part in the Operation Assured Response in Liberia in the year 1996 and in Operation Silver Wake in 1997, evacuation of non-American fighters from Albania.
AC-130 took part in NATO missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo during the 1990s.
The AC-130U aircraft set a new record for the longest sustainable flight by the C-130 on 22 and 23 October 1997, when two AC-130U fighter jets flew 36 hours nonstop from Hurlburt Field, Florida to Taegu Air Base (Daegu), South Korea. Korea, which refueled seven times in the air by a KC-135 tanker. Both combats take 410,000 pounds (186,000 kg) of fuel. The fighting was also part of a buildup of US troops in 1998 to force Iraq to allow UNSCOM weapons inspections.
War on Terror
The US has used combat with placement into the War in Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom - Afghanistan) (2001-2014), and the Iraq War (Operation Iraqi Freedom) (2003-11). The AC-130 strike was directed by special forces at the Taliban location known during the early days of the war in Afghanistan. The US Special Operations Unit uses AC-130 to support its operations. A day after arriving in Afghanistan, the AC-130 attacked Taliban and Al-Qaeda forces near the town of Konduz and was directly responsible for the city's surrender the next day. On November 26, 2001, the Specters were called to lay down a rebellion in the Qala-I-Janghi prison stronghold. 16 SOS flies missions over Mazar-i-Sharif, Kunduz, Kandahar, Shkin, Asadabad, Bagram, Baghran, Tora Bora, and virtually every other part of Afghanistan. The Specters participate in countless operations in Afghanistan, making short distance air calls and armed reconnaissance. In March 2002, three AC-130 Specters provided 39 important combat missions to support Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan. During a fierce battle, the aircraft fired over 1,300 rounds of 40 mm and 1,200 105 mm.
Close air support is the main AC-130 mission in Iraq. Night after night, at least one AC-130 is in the air to meet one or more air support requests (ASR). Typical mission is AC-130 supports single ASRs brigade followed by air refueling and two hours away with other brigade or SOF team. The use of AC-130 in places like Fallujah, the urban places where the rebels are among the densely populated of non-combatants, is condemned by human rights groups. AC-130 is also used for intelligent data collection with advanced remote, infrared and radar video sensors. In 2007, US Special Operations forces also used the AC-130 in an attack on al-Qaeda militants in Somalia.
There were eight AC-130H and seventeen AC-130U aircraft in active service in July 2010. In March 2011, the US Air Force deployed two AC-130U fighter to take part in Operation Odyssey Dawn, US military intervention in Libya, under NATO as Operation Unified Protector.
In September 2013, 14 Dragon Spear MC-130W aircraft have been converted to the AC-130W Stinger II fighter. Stinger warships have been deployed to Afghanistan to replace the old AC-130H aircraft and set an example for the new AC-130J Ghostrider. Modifications started with a crew cutting a hole in the plane to make room for weapons, and adding bomb-mounted equipment and bases for laser-guided ammunition. The crew added 105 mm guns, 20-inch infrared and electro-optical sensors, and the ability to carry a 250-pound bomb on the wing.
On November 15, 2015, two days after the Paris attack by ISIL, the AC-130 and A-10 Thunderbolt II attacked the aircraft destroying the convoy of more than 100 ISIL-operated oil tankers in Syria. The attack was part of an intensification of the US-led military intervention against ISIL called Operasi Tidal Wave II (named after the original Tidal Waves Operation during World War II, a failed attempt to attack the German oil field resulting in heavy aircraft and aircrew loss) in an attempt to cutting oil smuggling as a source of funding for the group.
The US continues to use aircraft in the War in Afghanistan. On October 3, 2015, five attacks on Unlimited Doctors hospital in Kunduz, Afghanistan were conducted by AC-130.
On September 30, 2017, the Air Force declared Ghostrider AC-130J had reached initial operational capability (IOC), with six combat ships already deployed; The aircraft is planned to achieve full operational capability by 2023 with 37 warships to ship. A lighter and more fuel-efficient variant than the previous version, capable of flying at 416 mph (669 km/h) with a range of 3,000 m (4,800 km) and a 28,000 ft (8,500 m) service ceiling.
Variant
- AC-130A Specter (Project Gunship II, Surprise Package, Pave Pronto)
- Convert C-130As; 19 completed; transferred to Air Force Reserve in 1975, retired in 1995.
- AC-130E Specter (Pave Specter, Pave Aegis)
- Convert C-130Es; 11 completed; 10 is upgraded to AC-130H configuration.
- AC-130H Specter
- Increases AC-130E aircraft; eight finishes; the last aircraft retired in 2015.
- AC-130U Spooky
- Aircraft operational (active duty USAF); 17 in the service.
- AC-130J Ghostrider
- Based on MC-130J; 32 aircraft to be purchased to replace AC-130H.
- AC-130W Stinger II (former Dragon Spear MC-130W)
- Convert MC-130W (USAF active task).
Operator
- United States
United States Air Force
- Detachment 2, 14th Air Commando Wing - Nha Trang Air Base, South Vietnam 1967-1968
- The Tactical Combat Wing 8 - Ubon Air Base/Korat Royal Thailand, Thailand 1968-1975
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- 16th Special Operations Squadron
- My First Special Operation - Hurlburt Field, Florida 1975-1993, 2006 -
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- The 4th Special Operations Squad of 2006 -
- 8th Special Operation Squadron 1975
- 16th Special Operations Squad 1975-1993, 2006-2007
- The 18th Flight Test Squadron 1991-1993, 2006 -
- The 19th Special Operations Squad of 2006 -
- 16 Wing-Specific Operations - Hurlburt Field, Florida 1993-2006
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- 4th Special Operations Squadron 1995-2006
- 16th Special Operations Squadron
- The 18th Flight Test Squadron
- Special Operating Squad 19 196-2006
- 27th Special Operation Wing - Cannon AFB, New Mexico 2007 -
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- 16th Special Operations Squadron
- 73d Special Operations Squadron
- 551 Custom Operations Squadron
- The 46th Test Wing - Eglin AFB, Florida 2014 -
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- 413 Flying Test Squadron
- 412 Wing Test - Edwards AFB, California 1990-1995
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- 418 Flying Test Squadron
- 919 Wings Special Operations - Duke Field, Florida 1975-1995
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- 711 Squadron Custom Operations
Aircraft on display
One of the first seven AC-130A aircraft deployed to Vietnam is the AF series no. 53-3129, named First Lady in November 1970. This aircraft was a conversion from the first production of C-130. On March 25, 1971, an anti-aircraft artillery strike on the stomach was just elongated from the nasal gears above Ho Chi Minh's road in Laos. The 37 mm shell destroys everything under the crew deck and is almost missed attacking two crew members. The pilot was able to crash the plane safely. In 1975, after the conclusion of US involvement in the Vietnam war, it was transferred to an Air Force Reserve, where he served with the 711 Special Operations Squad of 919 Special Operations Wing. In 1980, the aircraft was upgraded from the original bladed three blades to the more quiet four-bladed propellers and eventually retired in late 1995. The pension also marked the end of the Air Force Reserve Command that flew the AC-130A. The aircraft is now on display in the Highest Air Force Command configuration with gray paint, black marks and props of four Hamilton Sunstrand 54H60-91 at the Air Force Armament Museum at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, USA.
The second aircraft, AF series no. 56-0509, named Ultimate End , was originally accepted as C-130A by the Air Force on 28 February 1957, and was modified to an AC-130A configuration on 27 July 1970. The aircraft participated in the Vietnam War and rescue SS Mayaguez. Ultimate End demonstrated the endurance of the C-130 after the five-place hits with 37mm anti-aircraft artillery on December 12, 1970, widespread left-wing edge damage on April 12, 1971 and a 57 mm spin on the belly and injured one crew on March 4, 1972. "Ultimate End" was transferred to the operating wing of 919 Air Force Special Operations at Eglin AFB Auxiliary Field No.3/Duke Field on June 17, 1975, where it continued to operate until retirement in the fall of 1994 and transferred to the Air Force Special Operations Command Heritage Air Park at Hurlburt Field, Florida. While assigned to the 711th Special Operations Squadron, Ultimate End served in Operation ONLY CAUSED in Panama, DESERT STORM in Kuwait and Iraq, and UPHOLD DEMOCRACY in Haiti. After 36 years and seven months of service, 24 years as a weapon, Ultimate End retired from active service on October 1, 1994. The aircraft made its last flight from Duke Field to Hurlburt Field on October 20, 1994. Spectre Association dedicating "Ultimate End" (presented with 16 SOS in Vietnam) on May 4, 1995. Lieutenant Colonel Michael Byers, then 16 SOS commanders, represented an active combat force and Clyde Gowdy of the Spectre Association representing all of the former and present Specter personnel for the opening of the monument in aircraft and overall dedication.
AC-130A third, serial AF no. 54-1630, on display at the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. Named Azrael for the angel of Islam in capturing souls from the body, this plane appeared in the closing hours of Operation Desert Storm. On 26 February 1991, the Coalition's ground forces moved the Iraqi Army out of Kuwait. With the crew of Air Force Reserve called for active duty, Azrael was sent to Al-Jahra highway (Highway 80) between Kuwait City and Basra, Iraq, to ​​intercept convoys of tanks, trucks, buses, and cars fleeing the fighting. Facing SA-6 and SA-8 surface-to-air missiles and 37-mm and 57-mm radar-guide artillery anti-aircraft crews attack and destroy or disable most convoys. Azrael was also assigned to the 919th Special Operation Wing and retired to the museum in October 1995.
Other AC-130A, AF serial no. 54-1626, the original prototype AC-130 named "Gunship II" was exhibited outside Air Park at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. The aircraft served in Southeast Asia from 1967 to 1972, then presented in a JC-130A test configuration. It was transferred to the National Museum of the United States Air Force in 1976, and converted back into an AC-130A configuration in the late 1990s.
AC-130A no serial. 54-1623, c/n 3010, named "Ghost Rider" who served in Southeast Asia and then conflict until his retirement in 1997 to Dobbins AFB, Georgia. Ghost Rider was eventually moved and displayed at the Lockheed Museum in Marietta, Georgia.
Specifications
Data from USAF Fact Sheet
General characteristics
- Crew: 13
- Officers: 5 (pilot, copilot, navigator, fire control officer, electronic warfare officer)
- Registered: 8 (flight engineer, TV operator, infrared detection set operator, loadmaster, four air shooter)
- Length: 97Ã, ft 9 in (29,8 m)
- Wingspan: 132Ã, ft 7 in (40,4 m)
- Height: 38Ã, ft 6 in (11,7 m)
- Wings area: 1745,5Ã,²Ã,² (162.2 mÃ,²)
- Weight loading: 122,400 pounds (55,520 kg)
- Max. Weight takeoff: 155,000 pounds (69,750 kg)
- Powerplant: 4 ÃÆ'â € "Allison T56-A-15 turboprop, 4.910Ã, shp (3,700Ã, kW) respectively
Kinerja
- Kecepatan maksimum: 260 knots (300 mph, 480 km/jam)
- Kisaran: 2,200Ã, nm (2,530Ã, mi, 4,070Ã, km)
- Langit-langit layanan: 30,000 ft (9.100 m)
Persenjataan
- AC-130A gunship Project II
- 4 ÃÆ'â € "7,62 mm GAU-2/A minigun
- 4 ÃÆ'â € "20 mm (0787 in) M61 Vulcan 6-barrel Gatling Cannon
- Paket Kejutan AC-130A, Pave Pronto, AC 130E Pave Specter
- 2ÃÆ'â € "7,62Ã, mm GAU-2/A minigun
- 2ÃÆ'â € "20 mm M61 Vulcan meriam
- 2ÃÆ'â € "40 mm mm (1,58 in) L/60 BOFORS meriam
- AC 130E Pave aegis
- 2ÃÆ'â € "20 mm M61 Vulcan meriam
- 1ÃÆ'â € "40 mm mm (1,58 in) L/60 meriam BOFORS
- 1ÃÆ'â € "105a, mm (4.13a, evening) M102 howitzer
- AC-130H Specter
(Sebelum tahun 2000)
- 2ÃÆ' 20 mm M61 meriam Vulcan
- 1ÃÆ' 40 mm mm (1,58 in) L/60 meriam Bofors
- 1ÃÆ' 105Â mm (4.13Â dalam) M102 howitzer
Related development
- Lockheed C-130 Hercules
- Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules
Planes with equivalent roles, configurations, and eras
- Antonov An-12
- Douglas AC-47 Spooky
- Fairchild AC-119
Related list
- List of accidents and incidents involving Lockheed C-130 Hercules
- List of active US military aircraft
- List of Lockheed planes
References
Further reading
External links
- "Gunship History", Specter Association.
- AC-130, Global Security.
- "Powerful Iraqi Gunships Prowl, and Limits Show" on NPR of All Things to Consider .
- US. Air Force (2002). Video AC-130 Attack with explicit murder (hot image from targeting camera) (160 MB). Internet Archive. Event occurred in 9 minutes . Retrieved April 3 2009 . "Gunship worries", Air Force magazine , July 2009 Ã, .
- (1977) T.O. 1C-130 (A) A-1 Flight Manual USAF Series AC-130A Airplane (Part 1), (Part 2)
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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