11/18/2023 0 Comments Ac 130 spectre cutaway![]() Sources Sought N00178-05-Q-1925 was posted 18 August 2005 to Federal Business Opportunities (FBO). The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD), on behalf of Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) requested information in 2005 that may lead to the acquisition and qualification of a family of 120mm mortar ammunition for enhancing the AC-130 Gunship Lethality and Survivability. The gunships 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. Post war restriction on Iraq required the presence of gunships to enforce them.ĪC-130s were also used during Operations Continue Hope and United Shield in Somalia, providing close air support for United Nations ground forces. It resulted in the loss of all 14 crewmembers, the largest single air power loss of the war. Victory was accomplished in a few weeks and Kuwait was set free of the foreign invader. ![]() In the following January, the allies launched the actual war known as Desert Storm following the Desert Shield build-up. Both the AC-130A and AC-130H gunships were part of the international force assembled in the Persian Gulf region to drive out of Kuwait which Saddam Hussein had invaded in early August 1990. All objectives were quickly accomplished and democracy was restored to Panama.ĭuring Operation Desert Storm, Spectres provided air base defense and close air support for ground forces. The fighting was opened by a gunship attack on the military headquarters of the dictator of Panama and the Both the H-models and A-models played key roles. As the only close air support platform in the theater, Spectres were credited with saving the lives of many friendly personnel. 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. This enabled the successful assault of Point Salines airfield via airdrop and airland of friendly forces. AC-130s suppressed enemy air defense systems and attacked ground forces during Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada. One drawback to using the AC-130 is that it is typically only used in night assaults because of its poor maneuverability and limited orientations relative to the target during attack.ĭuring Vietnam War, gunships destroyed more than 10,000 trucks and were credited with many life-saving close air support missions. The AC-130 has been used effectively for over thirty years to take out ground defenses and targets. 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. ![]() 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. 2003 - Present - Iraq - Operation Iraqi FreedomĪ total of 7 AC-130s have been lost during combat operations, including 5 over South East Asia, 1 during Desert Storm and 1 over Somalia, 1993.The AC-130 gunship's primary missions are close air support, air interdiction and armed reconnaissance.2001 - Present - Afghanistan - Operation Enduring Freedom.1995 - Bosnia - Operation Deliberate Force.1993 - Somalia - Operation Restore Hope.1991 - Persian Gulf - Operation Desert Storm.AC-130J Ghostrider - based on MC-130J Commando II + Precision Strike Package.AC-130W Stinger II - based on MC-130W Combat Spear + Precision Strike Package.Since this article was first published, AFSOC have adopted 2 other AC-130 variants: The Spectre is being replaced with the AC-130J Ghostrider (see below). Note: AFSOC retired the AC-130H Spectre from service in 2014. 1 x 25mm GAU-12/U gatling gun (1800 rpm)ĪC-130Us are pressurized, allowing them to operate 5000ft higher then the H models, which results in a greater range.Operated by the 4th Special Operations Squadron Operated by the 16th Special Operations Squadron The 2 variants of the AC-130 Featured on this page are:
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