Lockheed AC-130H Spectre / AC-130U Spooky

Close Air-Support (CAS) / Air Interdiction / Force Protection Gunship [ 1972 ]

The Lockheed AC-130 is a special-mission gunship variant of the storied C-130 Hercules high-wing transport.

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Since the advent of the airplane as an instrument of war, warplanners have relied on the power of mobile aerial attacks to keep an enemy on its toes. From the simple dropping of flechettes on entrenched enemy positions in World War One, to the direct contact assaults prevalent in World War Two, this is no more truer than with the converted C-130 series of gunships (known respectively per models as the AC-130H "Spectre" and AC-130U "Spooky"). The Spectre and Spooky systems have evolved to become an important part of the ever-changing battlefield, where contact with enemy forces is likely, and the need for precision yet powerful aerial artillery is evermore important.

The AC-130, having been derived from the armed AC-47 gunship series, saw extensive and successful action against enemy forces in the Vietnam War. Appearing very much like the base C-130 transport model - a system that already came into its own as one of the most successful transport designs ever made - but were armed with a lethal array of miniguns, cannons and howitzers. From a basic design perspective, the AC-130 is a shoulder-mounted straight wing system with a single large rudder aft. Four Allison turboprops are mounted underwing, with two per wing. The spacious cargo bay of the base C130 allows for the carrying of the powerful 105mm cannon along with additional weaponry, ammunition and necessary systems.

AC-130's gain their lethality through support of troops in contact, often referred to in the short form as "TIC". AC-130 systems are charged with loitering above combat zones, often working in the darkness of night or inclement weather, using advanced targeting and fire control systems to assist ground troops in need. Though mounting an impressive array of armament, the AC-130's are not up to the task of defeating enemy heavy armor or bunkers but can target concrete structures and light armored vehicles with penetrator rounds. Due to the close proximity of engagement to friendly forces, AC-130's often bore sight with live-fire prior to arriving in the target zone. Firing is accomplished from one side of the aircraft only and requires the aircraft to be in a deliberate turn to engage. As a low-flying system, the AC-130 requires air defense threats to be neutralized before entering enemy airspace, though radar jamming and countermeasures are offered the system.

The current breed of AC-130 systems break down into two variants designated as the AC-130H and the AC-130U. Different avionics and subsystems aside, the two aircraft share many similarities. In terms of armament however, the AC-130U incorporated a 25mm gun to compliment the standard 40mm cannon and 105mm howitzer. The accepted callsign for the AC-130H series is the threatening "Spectre" while the AC-130U series enjoys the mysterious "Spooky" callsign.

Cost estimates per unit in 2001 were slated at $132,400,000 for the AC-130H system and $190,000,000 for the AC-130U system. The AC-130U also employs more crew to function and consists of a pilot, co-pilot, fire control officer, flight engineer, navigator, TV operator, four aerial gunners, a loadmaster, infrared detection set operator and an electronic warfare officer. The AC-130H maintains a crew of just 8 personnel.

Seeing action in Vietnam, the AC-130 crews went on to prove the value of the system time and again in Operation Just Cause to retake the tiny island nation of Panama in 1989. From there, Operation Desert Storm threw the AC-130's into action once more, warming crews up for the inevitable action over Bosnia Herzegovina. Currently seeing action in Operation Enduring Freedom, the AC-130 has solidified its place in the US military inventory - for both wartime and even through emergency evacuation of American non-combatants overseas. The AC-130 is kept in limited supply of just eight AC-130H models and thirteen AC-130U models.

AC-130A Spectre models were retired in 1995. AC-130H Spectre models were retired in 2015.

AC-130U Spooky models were retired in August of 2019.

The AC-130J "Ghostrider" variant has been adopted to replace the AC-130U/W gunship models.©MilitaryFactory.com

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Specifications

Lockheed Aircraft Corporation / The Boeing Company - USA
Manufacturer(s)

United States
Operators

1972
Service Year

United States
National Origin

Retired
Project Status

H:8 / U:13
Crew

21
Units

GROUND ATTACK
Ability to conduct aerial bombing of ground targets by way of (but not limited to) guns, bombs, missiles, rockets, and the like.

CLOSE-AIR SUPPORT
Developed to operate in close proximity to active ground elements by way of a broad array of air-to-ground ordnance and munitions options.

SPECOPS
Serving Special Forces / Special Operations elements and missions.

RADAR-CAPABLE
Houses, or can house (through specialized variants), radar equipment for searching, tracking, and engagement of enemy elements.

COUNTERMEASURES
Survivability enhanced by way of onboard electronic or physical countermeasures enacted by the aircraft or pilot/crew.

MULTI-ENGINE
Incorporates two or more engines, enhancing survivability and / or performance.

RUGGED AIRFRAME
Inherent ability of airframe to take considerable damage.

INTERNAL BAY
Fuselage volume includes space for internally-held weapons or special-mission equipment.

EXTENDED RANGE PERFORMANCE
Capability to travel considerable distances through onboard fuel stores.

BAILOUT PROCESS
Manual process of allowing its pilot and / or crew to exit in the event of an airborne emergency.

CREWSPACE PRESSURIZATION
Supports pressurization required at higher operating altitudes for crew survival.

CREW-MANAGED
Beyond a pilot, the aircraft takes advantage of additional crew specialized in specific functions aboard the aircraft.

ENCLOSED CREWSPACE(S)
Features partially- or wholly-enclosed crew workspaces.

RETRACTABLE UNDERCARRIAGE
Features retracting / retractable undercarriage to preserve aerodynamic efficiency.

ENHANCED ACCESS
Design incorporates feature(s) that facilitates loading / unloading of cargo / personnel from the aircraft.

97.8 ft
(29.80 meters)
Length

132.5 ft
(40.40 meters)
Width/Span

38.4 ft
(11.70 meters)
Height

72,891 lb
(33,063 kilograms)
Empty Weight

155,003 lb
(70,308 kilograms)
Maximum Take-Off Weight

+82,111 lb
(+37,245 kg)
Weight Difference

monoplane / high-mounted / straight
Mainplane Arrangement

Monoplane
Design utilizes a single primary wing mainplane; this represents the most popular modern mainplane arrangement.

High-Mounted
Mainplanes are mounted at the upper-most position allowable along the dorsal line of the fuselage.

Straight
The planform involves use of basic, straight mainplane members.

4 x Rolls-Royce Allison T56-A-15 turboprop engines developing 4,910 horsepower each driving four-bladed propeller units.
Propulsion

300 mph
(482 kph | 260 knots)
Max Speed

24,856 ft
(7,576 m | 5 miles)
Ceiling

2,200 miles
(3,540 km | 1,911 nm)
Range

MACH Regime (Sonic)

Sub

Trans

Super

Hyper

HiHyper

ReEntry

♦

AC-130H "Spectre":
2 x 20mm Gatling-style automatic cannons
1 x 40mm automatic cannon
1 x 105mm field gun.

AC-130U "Spooky":
1 x 25mm Gatling-style automatic cannon.
1 x 40mm automatic cannon.
1 x 105mm field gun.

0
Hardpoints

C-130 - Base transport model

AC-130H - Callsign of 'Spectre'; 8 crewmen; Dual 20mm Vulcan, 40mm and 105mm cannons.

AC-130U - Callsign of 'Spooky'; 13 crewmen; Varying avionics and sub-systems; Third generation AC-130 gunship variant; Addition of 25mm gun to 40mm and 105mm standard armament.

AC-130W "Stinger II" - Redesignation of MC-130W "Dragon Spear" model.

Cockpit image of the Lockheed AC-130H Spectre / AC-130U Spooky

Cockpit image represents the Lockheed AC-130 production model.

General Assessment

Firepower

Performance

Survivability

Versatility

Impact

Values are derrived from a variety of categories related to the design, overall function, and historical influence of this aircraft in aviation history.

Overall Rating

The overall rating takes into account over 60 individual factors related to this aircraft entry.

70

Rating is out of a possible 100 points.

Relative Maximum Speed

Hi: 300mph

Lo: 150mph

This entry's maximum listed speed (300mph).

Graph average of 225 miles-per-hour.

City-to-City Ranges

NYC

LON

PAR

BER

MOS

TOK

SYD

LAX

NYC

Operational range when compared to distances between major cities (in KM).

Max Altitude Visualization

Design Balance

The three qualities reflected above are altitude, speed, and range.

Aviation Era Span

Showcasing era cross-over of this aircraft design.

Unit Production (21)

21

36183

44000

Compared against Ilyushin IL-2 (military) and Cessna 172 (civilian).

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