The Lockheed AC-130 gunship is a heavily-armed ground-attack aircraft. The basic airframe is manufactured by Lockheed, and Boeing is responsible for the conversion into a gunship and for aircraft support. It is a variant of the C-130 Hercules transport plane.
The gunship's sole user is the United States Air Force, which uses AC-130H Spectre and AC-130U Spooky variants.
The US Air Force uses the AC-130 gunships for close air support, air interdiction, and force protection. Close air support roles include supporting ground troops, escorting convoys, and flying urban operations. Air interdiction missions are conducted against planned targets and targets of opportunity. Force protection missions include defending air bases and other facilities. Currently, AC-130U Spooky model gunships are stationed at Hurlburt Field in Northwest Florida and the AC-130H models are stationed at Cannon AFB, New Mexico.
AC-130H Spectre
* 1× 40 mm (1.58 in) L/60 Bofors cannon
* 1× 105 mm (4.13 in) M102 howitzer
Airplanes - Military - Parked - Utility
Links: en.wikipedia.org, www.airliners.net
By: kjfitz
