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What is the primary duty of the Afsoc AC 130h Spectre airplane?

Author

Olivia House

Updated on March 18, 2026

What is the primary duty of the Afsoc AC 130h Spectre airplane?

AC-130U Spooky. 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.

Accordingly, what made the AC-130 Spectre special?

The upgraded AC-130U Spooky has a single 25 mm GAU-12 Equalizer cannon in place of the Spectre's two 20 mm cannons, an improved fire-control system, and increased ammunition capacity.

Beside above, what does AC mean in AC-130? The gunship's AC identifier stands for attack-cargo. The aircraft is powered by four turboprop engines and has a flight speed of 300 mph and a flight range of 1,300 miles, depending on weight. The AC-130 gunship's primary missions are close air support, air interdiction and force protection.

Likewise, people ask, what is the AC 130J Ghostrider?

AC-130J Ghostrider, a modified version of the MC-130J aircraft, is the replacement for the AC-130H/U aircraft of the US Air Force. Lockheed Martin will deliver 37 AC-130J Ghostrider aircraft to the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) by 2021.

Why does the AC-130 have propellers?

The new eight-bladed composite propellers are shaped to provide additional thrust in the takeoff and low airspeed range while using the current C-130 engines. Regular C-130 "legacy" planes use four-blade propellers. With eight blades, the NP 2000 props are designed to perform with more power and efficiency.

What is an AC-130 armed with?

The AC-130 is armed with a fearsome array of weaponry, including a 105 mm cannon and 25 or 40 mm gatling guns. The AC-130U employs a synthetic aperture strike radar for long-range and adverse weather target detection and identification.

How much ammunition does the AC-130 carry?

The AC-130J will carry 80 105mm rounds, and can fire more than 10 rounds a minute, Beers said, and the plane's crew can also use the controls to aim it at targets.

Has an AC-130 been shot down?

Sadly, the enemy shot down one AC-130H gunship. It resulted in the loss of all 14 crewmembers, the largest singer air power loss of the war. In March 1994, the price of freedom and the high operations tempo was paid by a 16th Special Operations Squadron AC- 130H gunship, call sign Jockey 14.

What is the most heavily armed plane?

When it first flew in 1938, the Whirlwind was one of the fastest combat aircraft in the world and with four Hispano-Suiza HS.404 20 mm autocannon in its nose, the most heavily armed.

Westland Whirlwind (fighter)

Whirlwind
RoleHeavy fighter
National originUnited Kingdom
ManufacturerWestland Aircraft Limited
First flight11 October 1938

What is the most powerful gunship?

The AC-130 is the world's biggest flying artillery gunship, nicknamed "Hell in the Sky." With three side-firing weapons—a 25mm gatling gun, a 40mm Bofors cannon, and a 105mm howitzer—it's easy to see why it got its name.

How many F 22 does the US have?

The US Air Force has around 180 F-22s in its fleet, although only about half are mission capable at any one time due to maintenance requirements, according to Air Force statistics.

How much does AC 130J cost?

In November 2019 the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of the potential sale of five C-130Js, 24 engines and related equipment for an estimated cost of US$1.4 billion. The sale was confirmed in June 2020, with the planes expected to be delivered between 2024 and 2025.

What is a helicopter gunship?

noun. a large heavily armed helicopter used for ground attack.

Who made the AC 130?

Lockheed Martin
Boeing
Lockheed Corporation

What aircraft was called Puff the Magic Dragon in Vietnam?

On December 2, 1964, the first AC-47s arrived in Vietnam and were assigned to the 1st Air Commando Squadron. The ground troops affectionately called the AC-47 “Puff – the Magic Dragonâ€. It was noted that the Viet Cong never seeing such an attack from the sky, thought it to be a fire breathing dragon.

How many aircraft does the RAF have?

As of April 2019, the United Kingdom had 601 fixed-wing aircraft in the Royal Air Force and other branches of it's armed forces, the most numerous of which was the UK's main fighter jet, the Eurofighter Typhoon, of which there were 153.

Was the C-130 used in Vietnam?

They were used in Vietnam from 1962-1970. Beginning in 1965, the C-130 Hercules with its four turbo-prop engines, superior 15-ton payload, and its ability to rapidly offload palletized cargo dominated airlift operations in Vietnam. As ground combat increased, so did airlift requirements.

Can a C-130 carry a tank?

Cargo can be accessed at both ends of the aircraft. It has a maximum payload capacity of 130 t. It can carry two M1A2 Abrams main battle tanks, or 7-10 8×8 armored vehicles (Stryker or LAV-25), or 16 HMMWVs.

Can you legally own an ac130?

The Super Hercules is finally available to the public.

Like the legendary “legacy†C-130 Hercules series of ridiculously versatile military cargo haulers that was offered in civilian form under the L-100 designation, the C-130J Super Hercules now has a civilian variant of its own—the LM-100J.

How many c130s have been shot down?

Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. More than 15 percent of the approximately 2,350 Lockheed C-130 Hercules production hulls have been lost, including 70 by the US Air Force and the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.

Is the AC 130 pressurized?

The AC-130Us have a pressurized cabin, allowing them to operate 5,000 feet higher than the H models, which results in greater range.

How many engines does an AC 130?

The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is an American four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed (now Lockheed Martin).

What does the L stand for in LC 130?

One of several C-141 Starlifters that flew between New Zealand and McMurdo hauling people and cargo. An LC-130 Hercules with skis (that's what the "L" stands for -- don't look at me The C-141's required a perfect ice runway. The C-130's were able to land on not-so-perfect runways, so they got around more.

What replaced the AC 130?

The AC-130J is the fifth generation gunship replacing the aging fleet of AC-130U/W gunships.

How much fuel does AC 130 burn hourly?

How much fuel does AC 130 burn hourly? Typically the APU or Auxillery Power Unit uses or burns between 200 and 500 pounds of fuel per hour (PPH). The C-130E/H carries 6,700 gallons of fuel in six integral wing tanks.

Why is the C-130 called Hercules?

While Griffin was deemed the first choice for the famous C-130, corporate management had other plans. They decided on “Hercules,†in relation to the airlifters many duties and Air Force involvement, and in keeping with the Lockheed tradition in naming aircraft after celestial bodies (Hercules is a constellation).

What vehicles can a c130 carry?

Using its aft loading ramp and door, the C-130 can accommodate a wide variety of oversized cargo, including everything from utility helicopters and six-wheeled armored vehicles to standard palletized cargo and military personnel.

How many c17 does the US have?

The USAF eventually decided to cap its C-17 fleet at 223 aircraft; its final delivery was on 12 September 2013.

Does the Navy Fly C 130?

The U.S. Navy/U.S. Marine Corps C/KC-130 program consists of three variants of a medium-sized transport aircraft capable of intra-theater and inter-theater airlift operations.

How many Hercules does the RAF have?

Royal Air Force
TypeOriginIn service
Leonardo AW109SPItaly1
Lockheed Martin C-130J Super HerculesUSA14
Lockheed Martin F-35B LightningUSA/UK18
Westland Puma HC2UK23

How many troops can a c17 carry?

Furthermore, the C-17 can carry up to 102 troops, 36 litter patients, or 18 standard 463-L pallets. Cargo and vehicles are loaded onto the C-17 through a large aft door that accommodates military vehicles and palletized cargo. The C-17 can carry virtually all of the Army's air-transportable equipment.

How many tanks can a c5 carry?

The aircraft is capable of transporting a maximum payload of 118,387kg. It is capable of carrying two Abrams main battle tanks, an Abrams tank plus two Bradley armoured fighting vehicles, 10 LAV light armoured vehicles, six Apache attack helicopters or 36 standard pallets type 463L.