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The Lockheed AC-130 gunship is a heavily armed, long-endurance, ground-attack variant of the C-130 Hercules transport, fixed-wing aircraft. It carries a wide array of ground-attack weapons that are integrated with sensors, navigation, and fire-control systems. Unlike other modern military fixed-wing aircraft, the AC-130 relies on visual targeting.
The AC-130 also holds the record for the longest sustained flight by a C-130. From 22 to 24 October 1997, two AC-130U gunships flew 36 hours nonstop from Hurlburt Field, Florida to Daegu International Airport, South Korea, being refueled seven times by KC-135 tanker aircraft. This record flight beat the previous record longest flight by over 10 ...
On 27 May 2015, AFSOC retired the final AC-130H Spectre Gunship in service, tail number #69-6569 "Excalibur". [6] The squadron converted to AC-130W Stinger IIs (previously designated MC-130W) during 2015. [7] The 16 SOS commenced transition to the AC-130J Ghostrider aircraft in April 2022 [8] and retired its last AC-130W in July 2022. [9]
The AC-130J is a fifth-generation gunship, according to a fact sheet provided by the U.S. Air Force. This series of planes has extensive combat history dating back to Vietnam where gunships ...
USMC KC-130 and CH-53Es over the Gulf of Aden, 2003 The KC-130 is a multi-role, multi-mission tactical tanker/transport which provides the refueling support required by the USMC for its aircraft. This versatile asset provides in-flight refueling to both tactical aircraft and helicopters within a 500-nautical-mile (930 km) operating radius, as ...
AC-130H Spectre [8] AC-130W: 17th Special Operations Squadron: Kadena AB "Shadow" MC-130J Commando II [9] Inactivated in 2020 18th Special Operations Squadron: Phan Rang AB: AC-119K Stinger: 31 December 1972 19th Special Operations Squadron: Hurlburt Field: AC-130, MC-130, U-28A [10] 20th Special Operations Squadron: Cannon AFB "Green Hornets"
During a recent training exercise, the United States Air Force landed two C-130 aircraft, including the AC-130J Ghostrider, on a four-lane highway in Arkansas.
Douglas AC-47 Spooky: Ground-attack aircraft and close air support gunship: Douglas Aircraft Company: Developed from the Douglas C-47 Skytrain, it itself developed from the acclaimed Douglas DC-3. Succeeded by the Fairchild AC-119 & the Lockheed AC-130. [8] First deployed over Vietnam in 1964. [9] 1964 [10] 1965 53 Bell AH-1 Cobra: Attack ...