If ever there was a Herculean aircraft it would be this one. Derived from the C-130 Hercules, a widely used transport and military lift aircraft, the AC-130 is this craft’s cousin that knows how to use a gun, three in fact. This is a gunship first used in Vietnam and regularly used to support Special Operations Forces missions.
It’s most distinct feature is its armament, which consists of three guns, large guns of course, a 105mm Howitzer, 2 20mm Vulcan cannons and a Bofors 40/70mm calibre cannon. All three weapons are located side ward along the side of the craft firing to the left (port) side. The 105mm is the most rearward, from the pilot, ahead of the rear ramp, and is manned by a crew of about 3. The Bofors are located ahead of the Howitzer and is serviced by a crew of 2. The 20mm cannons are the most forward of the weapons located between the front landing gear, and the forward door.
The electronic suite and avionics that service the aircraft and the guns is extensive, form low light TV systems to IR and stabilized laser tracking and radar. The aircraft is equipped with a myriad of counter measures from electronic to chaff and flare mechanisms.
The gunship has served along side Special Operations Forces as well as conventional, in addition to performing escort, surveillance, search and rescue and armed interdiction missions. AC-130s ad their variants have been deployed where ever the US has seen combat from Panama, to Kuwait and Somalia. Even now in the war on terror from Afghanistan to Iraq, Lybia and the fight against ISIL the air-craft (or variants) continues to be of service.
Departing from the real world of combat operations this aircraft was used to support a fictional Special Operations team in the Call of Duty video game franchise. It involved the player using a series of onboard Television cameras and IR, much like the real aircraft, to spot and eliminate targets. It gave the player the ability to cycle through the 3 available guns as noted in this article.
| Manufactured by | Lockheed-Georgia | ||
| Engines | 4 Allison T56-A-15 turboprop | ||
| Weight | Empty 76,469 lb / 34,686kg |
Max. Payload 42,673lb / 19,356kg |
Max Take-Off 175,000lb/79,380kg |
| Dimensions | Wingspan 132ft. 7ins. /40.41m |
Length 97ft. 9ins. / 29.79m |
Height 38ft. 3 ins. / 11.66m |
| Performance | Max. Speed 374mph/602km/hr |
Cruising Speed 345mph /556km/hr |
|
