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Mission
The AC-130H Spectre gunship's primary missions are close air support,
air interdiction and armed reconnaissance. Other missions include perimeter
and point defense, escort, landing, drop and extraction zone support,
forward air control, limited command and control, and combat search and
rescue.
Features
These heavily armed aircraft incorporate side-firing weapons integrated
with sophisticated sensor, navigation and fire control systems to provide
surgical firepower or area saturation during extended periods, at night
and in adverse weather.
The sensor suite consists of a low-light-level television sensor and
an infrared sensor. Radar and electronic sensors also give the gunship
a method of positively identifying friendly ground forces as well as
effective ordnance delivery during adverse weather conditions. Navigational
devices include an inertial navigation system and global positioning
system.
 Background
Spectre has an impressive combat history. During Vietnam, gunships destroyed
more than 10,000 trucks and were credited with many life-saving close
air support missions. AC-130s suppressed enemy air defense systems and
attacked ground forces during Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada. This
enabled the successful assault of Point Salines airfield via airdrop
and airland of friendly forces.
The gunships had a primary role during Operation Just Cause in Panama
by destroying Panamanian Defense Force Headquarters and numerous command
and control facilities by surgical employment of ordnance in an urban
environment. As the only close air support platform in the theater, Spectres
were credited with saving the lives of many friendly personnel.
During Operation Desert Storm, Spectres provided air base defense and
close air support for ground forces. AC-130s were also used during Operations
Continue Hope and United Shield in Somalia, providing close air support
for United Nations ground forces. The gunships have most recently played
a pivotal role during operations in support of the NATO mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina,
providing air interdiction against key targets in the Sarajevo area.
General Characteristics
Primary Function: Close air support, air interdiction and armed
reconnaissance
Contractor: Lockheed Aircraft Corp.
Power Plant: Four Allison turboprop engines T56-A-15
Thrust: Each engine 4,910 horsepower
Length: 97 feet, 9 inches (29.8 meters)
Height: 38 feet, 6 inches (11.7 meters)
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 155,000 pounds (69,750 kilograms)
Wingspan: 132 feet, 7 inches (40.4 meters)
Range: 1,500 statute miles (1,300 nautical miles). Unlimited
with air refueling.
Ceiling: 25,000 feet (7,576 meters)
Speed: 300 mph (Mach 0.40) (at sea level)
Armament: Two 20mm Vulcan cannons with 3,000 rounds, one 40mm
Bofors cannon with 256 rounds and one 105mm howitzer with 100 rounds
Unit Cost: $46.4 million (1992 dollars)
Date Deployed: 1972
Crew: 14 -- five officers (pilot, co-pilot, navigator, fire control
officer, electronic warfare officer); nine enlisted (flight engineer,
loadmaster, low-light TV operator, infrared detection set operator, five
aerial gunners)
Inventory: Active force, 8; Reserve, 0; ANG, 0
Point of Contact
Air Force Special Operations Command, Public
Affairs Office; 100 Bartley Street; Hurlburt Field, Fla. 32544-5273;
DSN 579-5515 or (904) 884-5515.
Above Information Courtesy
of United States Air Force
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