View source for Lockheed AC-130

{{Short description|Gunship aircraft series by Lockheed}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:Wiki Project Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout, and guidelines. -->
{{Infobox aircraft
| name = AC-130
| image = File:AC-130 (5872).jpg
| caption = An AC-130J gunship from the [[4th Special Operations Squadron]]
| type = [[Attack aircraft|Ground-attack aircraft]] and [[close air support]] [[gunship]] for SOF teams
| national_origin = United States
| manufacturer = [[Lockheed Martin]]<br>[[Boeing]]
| designer = 
| first_flight = AC-130A: 1967
| introduction = {{plainlist|
* AC-130A: 1968
* AC-130H: 1969<ref name="af26may15">{{Cite web |last=Slack |first=Chip |date=26 May 2015 |title=Air Commandos retire final AC-130H Spectre gunship |url= https://www.cannon.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/589815/air-commandos-retire-final-ac-130h-spectre-gunship/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629232926/https://www.cannon.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/589815/air-commandos-retire-final-ac-130h-spectre-gunship/ |archive-date=29 June 2017 |website=[[Cannon Air Force Base|Cannon AFB]] |publisher=[[27th Special Operations Wing]] Public Affairs}}</ref>
* AC-130U: 1995<ref name="AF_factsht_AC-130U 2021"/>
* AC-130W: 2012<ref name="AF Factsheet 130W 2021">{{Cite web |date=March 2021 |title=AC-130W Stinger II |url=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104485/ac-130w-stinger-ii/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220803104448/https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104485/ac-130w-stinger-ii/ |archive-date=3 August 2022 |website=AF.mil}}</ref>
* AC-130J: 2017<ref name=AC130J>{{cite web|author=<!--not stated-->|title=AC-130J Ghostrider|publisher=United States Air Force|date=January 2025|url=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/467756/ac-130j-ghostrider/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127193711/https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/467756/ac-130j-ghostrider/|archive-date=27 November 2024|url-status=live|access-date=2025-07-06}}</ref>
}}
| retired = {{plainlist|
* AC-130A: 1995
* AC-130H: 2015<ref name="af26may15" />
* AC-130U: 2020<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104486/ac-130u/ |access-date=1 November 2022 |title=AC-130U Fact Sheet}}</ref>
* AC-130W: 2022<ref name="Special ops get fewer new gunships"/>}}
| status = In service (AC-130J)
| primary_user = [[United States Air Force]]
| produced = <!--years in production, e.g. 1970-1999, if still in active use but no longer built -->
| number_built = <!-- 47 (in all variants){{citation needed|date=April 2016}} -->
| developed_from = {{plainlist|
* [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules]]
* [[Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules]]}}
| variants = 
}}

The '''Lockheed AC-130''' [[gunship]] is a heavily armed, long-endurance, [[attack aircraft|ground-attack]] variant of the [[C-130 Hercules]] transport, [[fixed-wing aircraft]]. It carries a wide array of ground-attack weapons that are integrated with [[sensor]]s, [[navigation]], and [[fire-control system]]s. Unlike other modern military fixed-wing aircraft, the AC-130 relies on visual targeting. Since its large profile and low operating altitudes around 7,000&nbsp;feet (2,100 m) make it an easy target, its [[close air support]] missions are usually flown at night.<ref name=hospital>{{cite news |last1=Gibbons-Neff |first1=Thomas |title=Afghan forces requested airstrike on hospital |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/rweb/world/afghan-forces-requested-airstrike-that-hit-hospital-in-kunduz/2015/10/05/25eba93688f4ca428134719dadf092a1_story.html |access-date=5 October 2015 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=5 October 2015 |archive-date=10 October 2015 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20151010200031/http://www.washingtonpost.com/rweb/world/afghan-forces-requested-airstrike-that-hit-hospital-in-kunduz/2015/10/05/25eba93688f4ca428134719dadf092a1_story.html |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The airframe is manufactured by [[Lockheed Martin]], while [[Boeing]] is responsible for the conversion into a gunship and for aircraft support.<ref name= "Boe_AC-130U">[http://www.boeing.com/boeing/history/bna/ac130u.page AC-130U Gunship page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810074357/http://www.boeing.com/boeing/history/bna/ac130u.page |date=10 August 2014}}. Boeing.</ref> Its sole operator has been the [[United States Air Force]], which currently uses the '''AC-130J Ghostrider'''. Developed during the [[Vietnam War]] as "Project Gunship II", the AC-130 replaced the [[Douglas AC-47 Spooky]], or "Gunship I". Since then, it has seen combat in [[United States invasion of Grenada|Grenada]], [[United States invasion of Panama|Panama]], [[Gulf War|the Persian Gulf]], [[United Nations Operation in Somalia II|Somalia]], [[NATO intervention in Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnia]], [[NATO intervention in Kosovo|Kosovo]], [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|Afghanistan]], [[Iraqi conflict|Iraq]], and [[2011 military intervention in Libya|Libya]]. Close air support roles include supporting ground troops, escorting [[convoy]]s, and urban operations. Air-interdiction missions are conducted against planned targets and targets of opportunity. Force-protection missions include defending [[air base]]s and other facilities. AC-130Js are based at [[Hurlburt Field]], Florida and [[Cannon AFB]], [[New Mexico]];<ref>{{cite report |last1=Church |first1=Aaron M. U. |title=USAF & USSF Almanac 2023 Weapons & Platforms|url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/app/uploads/2023/06/Weapons_Platforms_0623.pdf |access-date=26 April 2024 |work=Air & Space Forces Magazine |publisher=Air & Space Forces Association |year=2023 |page=126-127}}</ref> gunships can be deployed worldwide.<ref name="AC-130W Factsheet">{{Citation |title= 73rd Special Operations Squadron Fact sheet |url=http://www.cannon.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet_print.asp?fsID=12750&page=1 |df=dmy-all |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130316072958/http://www.cannon.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet_print.asp?fsID=12750&page=1 |publisher=[[US Air Force]] |archive-date= 16 March 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The squadrons are part of the [[Air Force Special Operations Command]] (AFSOC), a component of the [[United States Special Operations Command]].<ref name="AC-130HU_factsht 2009">{{Cite web |date=30 July 2010 |title=AC-130H/U Gunship |url=http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=71 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090610103448/http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=71 |archive-date=10 June 2009 |publisher=[[US Air Force]] |type=fact sheet}} (article was originally based on this.)</ref>

The AC-130 has an [[Cabin pressurization|unpressurized]] cabin, with the weaponry mounted to fire from the [[Port and starboard|port side]] of the fuselage. During an attack, the gunship performs a [[pylon turn]], flying in a large circle around the target, so is able to fire at it for far longer than in a conventional [[strafing]] attack. The AC-130H Spectre was armed with two {{nowrap|20 mm}} [[M61 Vulcan]] cannons, one [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|L/60 Bofors 40 mm]] cannon, and M137 {{nowrap|105 mm}} cannon and M37 recoil mechanism from the [[M102 howitzer]]; after 1994, the {{nowrap|20 mm}} cannons were removed. The upgraded AC-130U Spooky has a {{nowrap|25 mm}} [[GAU-12 Equalizer]] cannon in place of the Spectre's two {{nowrap|20 mm}} cannons, an improved fire-control system, and increased ammunition capacity.{{citation needed|date=October 2022}} The new AC-130J was based on the [[MC-130J Commando II]] special-operations tanker. The AC-130W Stinger II is a modified C-130H with upgrades including a precision strike package.<ref name="AF Factsheet 130W 2021"/>

==Development==
===Origins===
During the Vietnam War, the [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules|C-130 Hercules]] was selected to replace the [[Douglas AC-47 Spooky]] gunship (Project Gunship I) to improve mission endurance and increase capacity to carry munitions. Capable of flying faster than helicopters and at high altitudes with excellent [[Loiter (flight) |loiter]] time, the use of the pylon turn allowed the AC-47 to deliver continuous, accurate fire to a single point on the ground.<ref name="USAF Nat Museum">{{Cite web |title=Lockheed AC-130A |url=http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3216 |type=fact sheet |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141011171113/http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3216 |publisher=[[National Museum of the United States Air Force]] |archive-date=11 October 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Douglas AC-47D |date=23 October 2009 |url= http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3211 |type=fact sheet |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011174350/https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3211 |publisher=[[National Museum of the United States Air Force]] |archive-date=11 October 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:An air-to-air front view of a AC-130 Hercules aircraft in-flight near Hurlburt Field DF-ST-89-00413.jpg|thumb|left|AC-130H Spectre near Hurlburt Field, Florida in 1988]]
In 1967, JC-130A 54-1626 was selected for conversion into the prototype AC-130A gunship (Project Gunship II). The modifications were done at [[Wright-Patterson Air Force Base]] by the Aeronautical Systems Division. A direct-view [[Night vision device|night-vision telescope]] was installed in the forward door, an early [[forward-looking infrared]] device was placed in the forward part of the left wheel well, with miniguns and rotary cannons fixed facing down and aft along the left side. The [[Analog computer|analog]] [[fire-control computer]] prototype was handcrafted by Wing Commander Tom Pinkerton at the USAF Avionics Laboratory at Wright-Patterson AFB. Flight testing of the prototype was performed primarily at [[Eglin Air Force Base]], followed by further testing and modifications. By September 1967, the aircraft was certified ready for combat testing and was flown to [[Nha Trang Air Base]], [[South Vietnam]], for a 90-day test program.<ref name="USAF Nat Museum" /> The AC-130 was later supplemented by the [[Fairchild AC-119|AC-119 Shadow]] (Project Gunship III), which later proved to be underpowered.

Seven more airframes were converted to the "Plain Jane" configuration like the AC-130 prototype in 1968,<ref>{{Citation |title=Lockheed AC-130A "Plain Jane" |url=http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3220 |df=dmy-all |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090705235558/http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3220 |publisher=[[National Museum of the United States Air Force]] |access-date=5 April 2009 |archive-date=5 July 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and one aircraft received the "Surprise Package" refit in 1969.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 January 2009 |title=Lockheed AC-130A "Surprise Package" |url=http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3221 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110914075833/http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3221 |archive-date=14 September 2011 |access-date=5 April 2009 |website=[[National Museum of the United States Air Force]] |url-status=deviated}}</ref> The Surprise Package upgrade included the latest [[20 mm caliber|20&nbsp;mm]] rotary autocannons and [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|40 mm Bofors cannon]], but no 7.62&nbsp;mm close-support armament. The Surprise Package configuration served as a test bed for the avionic systems and armament for the AC-130E. In 1970, 10 more AC-130As were acquired under the "Pave Pronto" project.<ref name="Pave Pronto">{{Cite web |title=Lockheed AC-130A "PAVE Pronto" |url=http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3222 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090705235603/http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3222 |archive-date=5 July 2009 |access-date=5 April 2009 |website=[[National Museum of the United States Air Force]]}}</ref> In the summer of 1971, Surprise Package AC-130s were converted to the Pave Pronto configuration and assumed the new nickname of "Thor". Conversion of C-130Es into AC-130Es for the "PAVE Spectre" project followed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 January 2009 |title=Lockheed AC-130E "PAVE Spectre" |url=http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3224 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110914204403/http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3224 |archive-date=14 September 2011 |access-date=5 April 2009 |website=[[National Museum of the United States Air Force]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=23 October 2009 |title=Lockheed AC-130E "Pave Aegis" |url=http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3225 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110914205747/http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3225 |archive-date=14 September 2011 |access-date=5 April 2009 |website=[[National Museum of the United States Air Force]]}}</ref> Regardless of their project names, the aircraft were more commonly referred to by the squadron's call sign, Spectre.{{fact|date=November 2023}}

===Recent and planned upgrades===
[[File:AC-130U Spooky gunship 30 mm cannon.jpg|thumb|AC-130U armed with two 30&nbsp;mm Bushmasters, 2007]]

In 2007, AFSOC initiated a program to upgrade the armament of AC-130s. The test program planned for the 25&nbsp;mm GAU-12/U and 40&nbsp;mm Bofors cannon on the AC-130U gunships to be replaced with two [[30 mm caliber|30&nbsp;mm]] Mk 44 [[Bushmaster II]] cannons.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.strategypage.com/dls/articles2006/200610105842.asp |title=30 mm Everywhere |publisher=strategypage.com |date=1 October 2006 |author=Dunnigan, James |access-date=17 July 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100105194201/http://strategypage.com/dls/articles2006/200610105842.asp |archive-date=5 January 2010 |url-status= live}}</ref> In 2007, the Air Force modified four AC-130U gunships as test platforms for the Bushmasters. These were referred to as AC-130U Plus 4 or AC-130U+4. AFSOC, however, canceled its plans to install the new cannons on its fleet of AC-130Us. It has since removed the guns and reinstalled the original 40&nbsp;mm and 25&nbsp;mm cannons and returned the planes to combat duty.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/a-spookier-spooky-30mm-at-a-time-03023/ |title=A Spookier Spooky, 30&nbsp;mm at a Time? Nope |date=1 March 2012 |work=Defense Industry Daily |access-date=21 April 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130921043205/http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/a-spookier-spooky-30mm-at-a-time-03023/ |archive-date=21 September 2013 |url-status= live}}</ref> Brigadier General Bradley A. Heithold, AFSOC's director of plans, programs, requirements, and assessments, said on 11 August 2008 that the effort was canceled because of problems with the Bushmaster's accuracy in tests "at the altitude we were employing it". Also, schedule considerations drove the decision, he said.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/1008world/|title=Air Force World<!--Section: Spooky Gun Swap Canceled-->|last1=Schanz|first1=Marc V.|last2=Sirak|first2=Michael C.|date=October 2008|volume=91|issue=10|magazine=[[Air & Space Forces Magazine]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250513194016/https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/1008world/|archive-date=13 May 2025|url-status=live|access-date=10 January 2009}}</ref>

Plans were made for the possible replacement of the 105&nbsp;mm [[M102 howitzer]] with a [[Breech-loading weapon|breech-loading]] variant of the 120&nbsp;mm [[M120 mortar]]. The 120mm breech-loading mortar concept offers more flexibility with the use of munitions that are currently available with greater lethality, precision strike capabilities, reduction in collateral damage, and decreased casualties in danger close scenarios. Also, using the newer [[AGM-114 Hellfire]] missiles, the [[Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System]] (based on the [[Hydra 70]] rockets), or the [[GBU-44/B Viper Strike|Viper Strike]] [[glide bomb]]s can dramatically increase the standoff capability of the AC-130.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2006garm/tuesday/elliot.pdf |title=Future AC-130 Gunship Integrated Weapons Systems |publisher=US DoD |date=March 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070221233703/http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2006garm/tuesday/elliot.pdf |archive-date=21 February 2007}}</ref>

The conceptual breechloading variant of the 120&nbsp;mm M120 mortar has several key advantages over the conventional M102 105&nbsp;mm howitzer. 100 rounds of ammunition weighs {{convert|4,200|lb|abbr=on}} for the M102 105&nbsp;mm howitzer compared to {{convert|3,200|lb|abbr=on}} for the M120 120&nbsp;mm mortar. The recoil load is {{convert|10,900|lbf|N|abbr=on}} with the 105&nbsp;mm howitzer compared to {{convert|5,600|lbf|N|abbr=on}} with the M120 120&nbsp;mm mortar. The gun recoiling weight for the M102 105&nbsp;mm howitzer is {{convert|1,465|lb|kg|abbr=on}} compared to {{convert|1,315|lb|kg|abbr=on}} for the M120 120&nbsp;mm mortar. The muzzle pressure for the M102 105&nbsp;mm howitzer is {{convert|3,560|psi|MPa|abbr=on}} compared to {{convert|1,620|psi|MPa|abbr=on}} for the M120 120&nbsp;mm mortar.{{cn|date=April 2024}}

In 2010, the Air Force awarded [[L-3 Communications]] a $61&nbsp;million (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=61000000|start_year=2010}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}) contract to add precision strike packages to eight [[Lockheed MC-130|MC-130W Combat Spear]] special-mission aircraft<ref>[https://www.defense.gov/contracts/contract.aspx?contractid=4371 DoD "Contracts"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101005181846/http://www.defense.gov/contracts/contract.aspx?contractid=4371 |date=5 October 2010}}. U.S. Department of Defense, 21 September 2010.</ref> to give them a gunship-like attack capability; such-equipped MC-130Ws are known as Dragon Spears. AFSOC is arming these aircraft to relieve the high operational demands on AC-130 gunships until new AC-130Js enter service.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/0610sof/|title=The SOF Makeover|last=Schanz|first=Marc V.|date=June 2010|volume=93|issue=6|magazine=[[Air & Space Forces Magazine]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250219221054/https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/0610sof/|archive-date=19 February 2025|url-status=live|access-date=27 February 2011}}</ref> The MC-130W Dragon Spear was renamed '''AC-130W Stinger II''' in 2011.<ref>Wallace, Ashley. "News: Stinger II". ''[[Air International]]'', Vol. 82 No. 5, May 2012, p. 19. {{ISSN|0306-5634}}.</ref> The precision strike packages consist of a 30&nbsp;mm gun and several [[precision guided munition]]s. Rails are mounted on the outboard pylon of the wing for four Hellfire missiles, SDBs, or [[GBU-53/B|SDB IIs]] under each. Ten common launch tubes (CLTs) are mounted on the rear ramp to fire [[AGM-176 Griffin|Griffin A]] missiles; additional missiles are stored in the aircraft that can be reloaded in flight.<ref>[https://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/afsoc-ac-130-gunships/ AFSOC AC-130 Gunships] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204171608/https://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/afsoc-ac-130-gunships/ |date=4 February 2017}} – Defensemedianetwork.com, 1 June 2015</ref> CLTs are able to fire other small munitions able to fit inside the {{convert|6|in|cm|adj=on}}-diameter, {{convert|48|in|m|adj=on}}-long tubes.<ref name="ndmmay16">[http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/archive/2016/May/Pages/SpecialOperationsGunshipstoBeEquippedWithImprovedSensors.aspx "Special Operations Gunships to Be Equipped With Improved Sensors"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518005005/http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/archive/2016/May/Pages/SpecialOperationsGunshipstoBeEquippedWithImprovedSensors.aspx |date=18 May 2024 }} – Nationaldefensemagazine.org, May 2016</ref>

The AC-130J Ghostrider came from a 2011 initiative that sought to acquire 16 new gunships based on newly built MC-130J Commando II special-operations tankers outfitted with a "precision strike package" to give them an attack capability, requesting $1.6&nbsp;billion from fiscal years 2011 through 2015. This was to increase the size of the gunship fleet to 33 aircraft, a net increase of eight after the planned retirement of eight aging AC-130Hs. The first aircraft would be bought in fiscal 2012, followed by two in fiscal 2013, five in fiscal 2014, and the final eight in fiscal 2015.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/0410world/|title=Air Force World|last1=Schanz|first1=Marc V.|last2=Sirak|first2=Michael C.|date=April 2010|magazine=[[Air & Space Forces Magazine]]|volume=93|issue=4|access-date=27 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930071039/https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/0410world/|archive-date=30 September 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> The decision to retain the C-130 came after funding for 16 [[Alenia C-27J Spartan|C-27Js]] was removed from the fiscal 2010 budget.<ref>{{cite news |title=Schwartz: AFSOC will likely convert more C-130s into 'gunship-lites' |newspaper=Inside the Air Force |date=22 May 2009}}</ref>

The AC-130J was to follow the path of the [[Dragon Spear]] program.<ref>Duncan, Capt. Kristen D. [https://www.afsoc.af.mil/News/story/id/123244936/ "Benchmark 'Dragon Spear' program earns William J. Perry Award"] . ''Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs''</ref> On 9 January 2013, the Air Force began converting the first MC-130J into an AC-130J.<ref name="ghostrider">{{cite news |url=https://www.af.mil/News/story/id/123331866/ |title=The most fearsome weapon is evolving |publisher=USAF |date=9 January 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801181427/http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123331866 |archive-date=1 August 2013}}</ref> The first AC-130J was delivered to AFSOC on 29 July 2015.<ref>[http://www.deagel.com/news/US-Air-Force-Special-Operations-Command-Takes-Delivery-of-First-AC-130J-Ghostrider_n000014329.aspx "US Air Force Special Operations Command Takes Delivery of First AC-130J Ghostrider"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150804220426/http://www.deagel.com/news/US-Air-Force-Special-Operations-Command-Takes-Delivery-of-First-AC-130J-Ghostrider_n000014329.aspx |date=4 August 2015}}, Deagel.com, Air Force News Service, 31 July 2015</ref> The first AC-130J gunships achieved initial operational capability (IOC) on 30 September 2017.<ref name="militarytimes10oct17">[https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-air-force/2017/10/10/the-air-forces-newest-deadliest-gunship-just-hit-a-major-milestone/ The Air Force’s newest, deadliest gunship just hit a major milestone] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011130414/https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-air-force/2017/10/10/the-air-forces-newest-deadliest-gunship-just-hit-a-major-milestone/ |date=11 October 2017}} – Militarytimes.com, 10 October 2017</ref> The AC-130J has two planned increments: the Block 10 configuration includes an internal 30&nbsp;mm gun, small diameter bombs, and laser-guided missiles launched from the rear cargo door; and Block 20 configuration adds a 105&nbsp;mm cannon, large aircraft [[infrared countermeasures]], wing-mounted Hellfire missiles, and radio-frequency countermeasures.<ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/ac-130j-poised-to-hit-initial-operational-capabilit-441336/ AC-130J poised to hit initial operational capability target] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922123125/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/ac-130j-poised-to-hit-initial-operational-capabilit-441336/ |date=22 September 2017}} – Flightglobal.com, 21 September 2017</ref>

The Air Force decided to add a 105&nbsp;mm cannon to the AC-130J in addition to the 30&nbsp;mm cannon and smart bombs, the shells being more accurate and cheaper than dropping SDBs. AFSOC also pursued a [[directed-energy weapon]] on board the AC-130J by 2022,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/a32580060/ac-130-gunship-lasers/ |title= How Could the AC-130 Gunship Get Even Better? Lasers|date= 18 May 2020}}</ref><ref>Mike Hoffman, {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150131033344/http://defensetech.org/2015/01/29/afsoc-wants-to-research-adding-laser-weapons-to-ac-130/ "AFSOC Wants to Research Adding Laser Weapons to AC-130"]}}, Defensetech.org, 29 January 2015.</ref> similar to the previous [[Advanced Tactical Laser]] program. It was to produce a beam of up to 120&nbsp;kW, or potentially even 180–200&nbsp;kW, weigh about {{convert|5000|lb|kg|abbr=on}}, defensively destroy antiaircraft missiles, and offensively engage communications towers, boats, cars, and aircraft.<ref>James Drew, [https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/afsoc-developing-tactics-for-2020-ac-130-gunship-l-416878/ "AFSOC developing tactics for '2020' AC-130 gunship laser weapon"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150918203716/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/afsoc-developing-tactics-for-2020-ac-130-gunship-l-416878/ |date=18 September 2015}}, ''FlightGlobal'', 17 September 2015</ref><ref>Brendan McGarry, {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150919095810/http://defensetech.org/2015/09/16/air-force-wants-a-laser-weapon-on-an-ac-130j-gunship/ "Air Force Wants a Laser Weapon on AC-130J Gunship"]}}, Defensetech.org, 16 September 2015</ref><ref name="defensenews3dec15">Lara Seligman, [http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20170704074648/http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/2015/12/03/afsoc-leveraging-lessons-ac-130j-laser/76723364/ "AFSOC Leveraging Lessons from Navy for AC-130J Laser"], Defensenews.com, 3 December 2015</ref> A laser armament would have only been installed on a few aircraft rather than the entire AC-130J fleet;<ref name="3dec15">Sydney J. Freedberg, Jr., [http://breakingdefense.com/2015/12/ac-130-to-get-laser-guns-air-launched-drones-heithold/ "AC-130 To Get Laser Guns & Air-Launched Drones: Heithold"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151207025141/http://breakingdefense.com/2015/12/ac-130-to-get-laser-guns-air-launched-drones-heithold/ |date=7 December 2015}}, Breakingdefense.com, 3 December 2015</ref> the laser would be mounted on the side in place of the 30&nbsp;mm cannon.<ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/afsoc-favours-side-mounted-laser-for-gunship-426926/ AFSOC favours side-mounted laser for gunship] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160702151602/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/afsoc-favours-side-mounted-laser-for-gunship-426926/ |date=2 July 2016}} – Flightglobal.com, 1 July 2016</ref> AFSOC eventually ruled out the idea in 2024 after the project was delayed by years,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trevithick |first=Joseph |date=2024-03-19 |title=AC-130 Gunship's Laser Weapon Cancelled, 105mm Howitzer May Be Removed |url=https://www.twz.com/air/ac-130-gunships-laser-weapon-cancelled-105mm-howitzer-may-be-removed |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=The War Zone |language=en-US}}</ref> determining that placing a laser out the side of the airframe would yield so much air turbulence that it would disrupt the beam.<ref name="defensenews7nov23">[https://www.defensenews.com/air/2023/11/07/us-air-force-may-remove-105mm-cannon-from-ac-130-gunship/ US Air Force may remove 105mm cannon from AC-130 gunship]. ''[[Defense News]]''. 7 November 2023.</ref> In addition to this, while the laser weapon on the Lockheed AC-130 turned out to be a failure, Lockheed has been examining concepts for the integration of the laser module system onto the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, he said. Other potential additions include an [[active denial system]] to perform airborne crowd control, and small [[unmanned aerial vehicle]]s from the CLTs to provide remote video feed and coordinates to weapons operators through cloud cover.<ref>Brian Everstine, [http://www.airforcetimes.com/story/military/tech/2015/03/19/high-tech-upgrades-ac130/24956345/ "AFSOC envisions its gunship armed with lasers, other high-tech weapons"], ''Air Force Times'', 19 March 2015</ref> Called the Tactical Off-board Sensor (TOBS), the drones would be expendable and fly along a programmed orbit to verify targets the aircraft cannot see itself because of bad weather or standing off from air defenses.<ref name="defensenews3dec15" /><ref name="3dec15" /> AFSOC was to initially use the [[Raytheon Coyote]] small UAV for the TOBS mission, as it is an [[Commercial off-the-shelf|off-the-shelf]] design with a one-hour endurance, but planned to fulfill the role with a new drone capable of a four-hour endurance by 2019.<ref name="ndmmay16"/>

The Air Force was also interested in acquiring a glide bomb that can be launched from the CLTs, capable of hitting ground vehicles traveling as fast as 120&nbsp;km/h (70&nbsp;mph) while above {{convert|10000|ft|m|abbr=on}}.<ref>James Drew, [https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/us-special-forces-seek-tube-launched-glide-bombs-419394/ "US special forces seek tube-launched glide bombs"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124163950/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/us-special-forces-seek-tube-launched-glide-bombs-419394/ |date=24 November 2015}}, ''FlightGlobal'', 23 November 2015</ref> In June 2016, [[Dynetics]] was awarded a contract by SOCOM to integrate its tactical munition onto the AC-130. Designated the GBU-69/B Small Glide Munition, the weapon weighs {{convert|27|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and is armed with a {{convert|16|kg|lb|adj=on}} blast-fragmentation warhead that can detonate by direct impact or at a selected height; despite being smaller, being unpowered allows for its warhead to be heavier than those on the Hellfire and Griffin A missiles, {{convert|9|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and {{convert|5.9|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, respectively. Guidance is provided by a GPS receiver with anti-spoofing software and four distributed-aperture [[semi-active laser|semiactive laser]] seeker apertures adapted from the [[APKWS|WGU-59/B APKWS]] for terminal guidance.<ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/dynetics-unveils-new-glide-bomb-with-16kg-warhead-426349/ Dynetics unveils new glide bomb with 16kg warhead] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202044005/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/dynetics-unveils-new-glide-bomb-with-16kg-warhead-426349/ |date=2 February 2017}}, Flight global, 14 June 2016</ref><ref>[http://www.defensenews.com/articles/dynetics-looks-to-fit-niche-with-small-glide-munition Dynetics Looks to Fit Niche With Small Glide Munition], Defense news, 22 August 2016</ref><ref>[http://www.airforcemag.com/DRArchive/Documents/2016/June%202016/Dynetics.pdf Dynetics Awarded USSOCOM Small Glide Munition Contract] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205095635/http://www.airforcemag.com/DRArchive/Documents/2016/June%202016/Dynetics.pdf |date=5 February 2017}}, Airforce mag, 14 June 2016</ref> Approval for fielding occurred in early 2017.<ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/dynetics-awarded-470-million-for-increased-producti-449364/ Dynetics awarded $470 million for increased production of glide bomb] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614045826/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/dynetics-awarded-470-million-for-increased-producti-449364/ |date=14 June 2018}}. ''Flight International''. 14 June 2018.</ref> Dynetics was awarded a contract to deliver an initial batch of 70 SGMs in June 2017, with plans to buy up to 1,000.<ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/us-special-operators-add-new-munition-to-air-launche-438913/ US special operators add new munition to air-launched arsenal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629224333/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/us-special-operators-add-new-munition-to-air-launche-438913/ |date=29 June 2017}} – Flight global, 29 June 2017</ref> The SGM can travel {{cvt|20|mi|abbr=on}}.<ref>[https://breakingdefense.com/2018/05/commandos-buying-thousands-of-small-missiles-that-pack-a-bigger-punch-than-hellfires/ Commandos Buying Thousands of Small Missiles That Pack A Bigger Punch Than Hellfires] {{Webarchive |url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180514065516/https://breakingdefense.com/2018/05/commandos-buying-thousands-of-small-missiles-that-pack-a-bigger-punch-than-hellfires/ |date=14 May 2018}}. ''Breaking Defense''. 11 May 2018.</ref>

===Future===
{{As of|2023}}, AC-130 gunships have been providing close air support for special operators for 56 years. Although the aircraft have been kept relevant through constant upgrades to their weaponry, sensor packages, and countermeasures, they are not expected to be survivable in future nonpermissive environments due to their high signatures and low airspeeds. Military analysts, such as the [[Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments]], have suggested that AFSOC invest in more advanced technologies to fill the role to operate in future contested combat zones, including a mix of low-cost disposable unmanned and stealthy strike aircraft.<ref>Sandra I. Erwin, [http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/blog/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=1143 "Air Force Commandos Will Have Fewer Aircraft, More Firepower"] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20150206143420/http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/blog/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=1143 |date=6 February 2015}} ''National Defense Magazine'', 15 May 2013</ref>

AFSOC is considering a number of changes to the AC-130J in order to make it effective against advanced adversaries including removing the [[M102 howitzer|105mm cannon]] and upgrading the aircraft with small [[cruise missile]]s, an [[AESA radar]], and adaptive mission networking enhancements.<ref name="defensenews7nov23"/> In 2025, it was announced that the aircraft has carried out launch tests of [[Black Arrow (missile)|Black Arrow]], also known as the Small Cruise Missile (SCL), using its Ramp Launch Tubes.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Newdick |first1=Thomas |title=AC-130J Ghostrider Gunship Launches Black Arrow Small Cruise Missile In New Video |url=https://www.twz.com/air/ac-130j-ghostrider-gunship-launches-black-arrow-small-cruise-missile-in-new-video |website=The War Zone |access-date=6 April 2025 |date=5 April 2025}}</ref>

==Design==
[[File:Ac130 gunship.jpg|thumb|Underside of an AC-130U Spooky]]

===Overview===
The AC-130 is a heavily armed, long-endurance aircraft carrying an array of weapons against ground targets that are integrated with sophisticated sensors, navigation, and fire-control systems. It is capable of delivering precision firepower or area-saturation fire over a target area over a long period of time, at night, or in adverse weather. The sensor suite consists of an electro-optical image sensor, [[infrared]] sensor, and [[radar]]. These sensors allow the gunship to visually or electronically identify friendly ground forces and targets in most weather conditions.

The AC-130U is equipped with the [[AN/APQ-180]], a [[synthetic aperture radar]], for long-range target detection and identification. The gunship's navigational devices include [[inertial navigation system]]s and a [[global positioning system]]. The AC-130U employs technologies developed in the 1990s, which allow it to attack two targets simultaneously. It has twice the [[Ammunition|munitions]] capacity of the AC-130H.<ref name="Boe_AC-130U" /> Although the AC-130U conducts some operations in daylight, most of its combat missions are conducted at night.<ref>Naylor, Sean. [https://books.google.com/books?id=Jz4zjLuvZsUC ''Not a Good Day to Die: The Untold Story of Operation Anaconda''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216104304/https://books.google.com/books?id=Jz4zjLuvZsUC |date=16 February 2017}}, pp. 425. Berkley Books, 2005. {{ISBN|0-425-19609-7}}. Retrieved 6 April 2009.</ref> The AC-130H's unit cost is US$132.4&nbsp;million, and the AC-130U's cost is $190&nbsp;million (fiscal 2001 dollars).<ref name="AC-130HU_factsht 2009"/>

===Upgrades===
[[File:AC-130U Sensor Operator.jpg|thumb|left|AC-130U sensor suite]]
During the Vietnam War era, the various AC-130 versions following the Pave Pronto modifications were equipped with a [[magnetic anomaly detector]] system called Black Crow (designated '''AN/ASD-5'''), a highly sensitive passive device with a [[phased-array]] [[Antenna (radio)|antenna]] located in the left-front nose [[radome]] that could pick up localized deviations in the [[Earth's magnetic field]] normally used to detect submerged [[submarine]]s. The Black Crow system was [[master/slave (technology)|slaved]] into the targeting computers of the AC-130A/E/H, enabling the detection of the unshielded [[ignition coil]]s of North Vietnamese trucks hidden under dense jungle foliage along the [[Ho Chi Minh trail]]. It could also detect hand-held transmitter signals of air controllers on the ground to identify and locate targets.

The PGM-38/U enhanced 25&nbsp;mm [[high-explosive incendiary]] round was created to expand the AC-130U gunships' mission in standoff range and survivability for its 25&nbsp;mm [[GAU-12 Equalizer|GAU-12/U]] gun. This round is a combination of the existing PGU-25 HEI and a M758 fuze designated as FMU-151/B to meet the MIL-STD-1316. The FMU-151 has an improved arming delay with multisensitive range.<ref>"PGU-38/U 25mm Ammunition", August 1993, Alliant Techsystems, Public Release, Case No. 93-S3040, E10630 8/93.</ref>
{{clear}}

==Operational history==
===Vietnam War===
[[File:AC-130 Laos.jpg|thumb|An AC-130 in Southern Laos ''circa'' 1970]]
The AC-130 gunship first arrived in South Vietnam on 21 September 1967 under the Gunship II program and began combat operations over Laos and South Vietnam that same year. In June 1968, AC-130s were deployed to [[Tan Son Nhut]] AB near Saigon for support against the [[Tet Offensive]]. By 30 October 1968, enough AC-130 Gunship IIs arrived to form a squadron, the [[16th Special Operations Squadron]] of the [[8th Tactical Fighter Wing]], at [[Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base]], Thailand. At this time, the C-130A gunship was designated the AC-130A.

On 18 August 1968, an AC-130 gunship flying an armed reconnaissance mission in Vietnam's III Corps was diverted to support the [[Katum Camp|Katum Special Forces Camp]]. The ground commander quickly assessed the accurate fire and capabilities of this weapons system and called for fire on his own perimeter when the Viet Cong attempted to bridge the wire on the west side of his position.

By December 1968, most AC-130s flew under [[F-4 Phantom II]] escort (to protect the gunship against heavy and concentrated antiaircraft fire) from the 497th Tactical Fighter Squadron, normally three Phantoms per gunship. On 24 May 1969, the first Spectre gunship was lost to enemy fire.{{Sfn | Hobson | 2001 | p = 268}}

In late 1969, under code name "Surprise Package", 56-0490 arrived with solid-state, laser-illuminated, low light-level TV with a companion YAG [[laser designator]], an improved forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensor, video recording for TV and FLIR, an [[inertial navigation system]], and a prototype digital fire-control computer. The remaining AC-130s were refitted with upgraded similar equipment in the summer of 1970, and then redeployed to Ubon RTAFB. On 25 October 1971, the first "Cadillac" gunship, the AC-130E, arrived in Vietnam. On 17 February 1972, the first [[M102 howitzer|105mm cannon]] arrived for service with Spectre and was installed on Gunship 570. It was used from mid-February until the aircraft received battle damage to its right flap. The cannon was switched to Gunship 571 and was used until 30 March when the aircraft was shot down.

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Summary of AC-130 Spectre gunships lost in the Vietnam War 1969–1972
!Date!!Gunship model!!Unit!!Cause of loss / remarks
|-
|24 May 1969
|AC-130A
|16th Special Operations Squadron
|Downed by [[37 mm automatic air defense gun M1939 (61-K)|37&nbsp;mm anti-aircraft artillery]] (AA) at {{cvt|6,500|ft|m}} while on [[reconnaissance]] for enemy trucks{{Sfn | Hobson | 2001 | p = 182}}
|-
|22 April 1970
|AC-130A
|16th SOS
|Downed while truck hunting by 37&nbsp;mm AA{{Sfn | Hobson | 2001 | p = 202}}
|-
|28 March 1972
|AC-130A
|16th SOS
|Downed while truck hunting along the Ho Chi Minh trail by a [[SA-2]] [[surface-to-air missile]] (SAM), [[nose art]] named ''Prometheus''{{Sfn | Hobson | 2001 | p = 219}}
|-
|30 March 1972
|AC-130E
|16th SOS
|Downed while truck hunting by [[AZP S-60|57&nbsp;mm AA]] at {{cvt|7,500|ft|m}}: The "E" model was armed with a 105&nbsp;mm [[howitzer]]. This [[search and rescue]] mission was "overshadowed by the ''[[Rescue of Bat 21 Bravo|Bat-21]]'' rescue mission."{{Sfn | Hobson | 2001 | p = 220}}
|-
|18 June 1972
|AC-130A
|16th SOS
|Downed by a [[SA-7]] shoulder-fired SAM which struck the number-three engine and blew off the wing{{Sfn | Hobson | 2001 | pp = 228–29}}
|-
|21–22 December 1972
|AC-130A
|16th SOS
|Downed while truck hunting along the Ho Chi Minh trail at {{cvt|7,800|ft|m}} by 37&nbsp;mm AA{{Sfn | Hobson | 2001 | p = 244}}
|}

On 28 January 1973, the [[Paris Peace Accords|Vietnam peace accord]] went into effect, marking the end of Spectre operations in Vietnam. Spectre was still needed and active in the region, supporting operations in Laos and Cambodia. On 22 February 1973, American offensive operations in Laos ended and the gunships became totally committed to operations in the Cambodian conflict.

On 12 April 1975, the [[Khmer Rouge]] was threatening the capital of [[Phnom Penh]] and AC-130s were called on to help in [[Operation Eagle Pull]], the final evacuation of American and allied officials from Phnom Penh before it was conquered by the communists. The AC-130 was also over Saigon on 30 April 1975 to protect the final evacuation in [[Operation Frequent Wind]]. Spectres were also called in when the [[Mayaguez incident|USS ''Mayaguez'']] was seized, on the open sea, by Khmer Rouge soldiers and sailors on 15 May 1975.

Six AC-130s and 52 air crew members were lost during the war.{{Sfn | Hobson | 2001 | p = 268}}  AC-130s reportedly destroyed more than 10,000 trucks<ref>{{Cite web |title= The AC-130 gunship and its variants, Research from 10/2010 |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/abbottabad-compound/3A/3AC462D933EE22F4D8B4D32E19DDCF11_AC%20130%20research.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.cia.gov/library/abbottabad-compound/3A/3AC462D933EE22F4D8B4D32E19DDCF11_AC%20130%20research.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live}}</ref> and participated in many crucial close-air-support missions in Vietnam.

===Cold War and later action===
[[File:AC-130A pylon turn.jpg|thumb|An AC-130A performs a left-hand pylon turn.]]

With the conclusion of hostilities in Southeast Asia in the mid-1970s, the AC-130H became the sole gunship in the regular Air Force, home based at Hurlburt Field, Florida, while the AC-130A fleet was transferred to the Air Force Reserve's 919th Tactical Airlift Group (919 TAG) at [[Eglin AFB]] Auxiliary Field #3/[[Duke Field]], Florida. With the transition to the AC-130A, the 919 TAG was then redesignated as the [[919th Special Operations Wing |919th Special Operations Group]].

In the late 1970s, when the AC-130H fleet was first being modified for in-flight refueling capability, a demonstration mission was planned and flown from Hurlburt Field, Florida, nonstop, to conduct a 2-hour live-fire mission over Empire Firing Range in the Republic of Panama, then return home. This 13-hour mission with two in-flight refuelings from [[Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker|KC-135]] tankers proved the validity of flying long-range missions outside the [[contiguous United States]] to attack targets then return to home base without intermediate stops.

AC-130s from both the [[4th Special Operations Squadron|4th]] and [[16th Special Operations Squadron|16th]] Special Operations Squadrons have been deployed in nearly every conflict in which the United States has been involved, officially and unofficially, since the end of the Vietnam War.

In July 1979, AC-130H crews deployed to [[Howard Air Force Base]], Panama, as a precaution against possible hostile actions against American personnel during the [[Nicaraguan Revolution]]. New time aloft and nonstop distance records were subsequently set by a 16th SOS two-ship AC-130H formation flight that departed Hurlburt Field on 13 November 1979 and landed on 15 November at [[Andersen Air Force Base]], [[Guam]], a distance of {{convert |7200|nmi|km}} and 29 hours 43 minutes nonstop, refueling four times in-flight.<ref>Lockheed records.</ref>{{Page needed |date=December 2023}}<ref>{{Citation |type= news |first= Pilot Lt Col Jim |last= Lawrence |date=June 1995 |title= ?? |newspaper= Night Flyer|publisher= AFSOC}}</ref> Refueling support for the Guam deployment was provided by KC-135 crews from the 305th Air Refueling Wing from [[Grissom AFB]], Indiana.

In November 1979, four AC-130H gunships flew nonstop from Hurlburt Field to Anderson AFB, Guam, because of the [[Iran hostage crisis|hostage situation at the US Embassy in Iran]]. On Guam, AC-130H crews developed communications-out/lights-out refueling procedures for later employment by trial-and-error. This deployment with the 1 SOW/CC as task force commander was directed from the office of the CJCS for fear that Iranian militants could begin executing American Embassy personnel who had been [[Iran hostage crisis|taken hostage on 4 November]]. One early option considered AC-130H retaliatory punitive strikes deep within Iran. Later gunship flights exceeded the 1979 Hurlburt-to-Guam flight. Upon return in March 1980, the four planes soon found themselves in Egypt to support the [[Operation Eagle Claw|ill-fated hostage rescue attempt]].

[[File:AC-130 gunship firing broadside at dusk.jpg|thumb|left|Smoke visible from [[rotary cannon]] during twilight operations in 1988]]
During [[Invasion of Grenada|Operation Urgent Fury]] in Grenada in 1983, AC-130s suppressed enemy air-defense systems and attacked ground forces enabling the assault of the [[Point Salines International Airport|Point Salines Airfield]] via [[airdrop]] and air-land of friendly forces. The AC-130 aircrew earned the [[William H. Tunner |Lieutenant General William H. Tunner]] Award for the mission.

The AC-130Hs of the [[16th Special Operations Squadron]] unit maintained an ongoing rotation to Howard AB, Panama, monitoring activities in El Salvador and other Central American points of interest, with rules of engagement eventually permitting attacks on [[FMLN]] targets. This commitment of maintainers and crews started in 1983 and lasted until 1990.<ref>{{cite web|last= Cooper|first= Tom |title= El Salvador, 1980–1992|url= http://www.acig.info/CMS/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=89&Itemid=47|publisher= ACIG|access-date= 30 January 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140116083135/http://www.acig.info/CMS/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=89&Itemid=47|archive-date= 16 January 2014|url-status= live}}</ref> The AC-130 is considered to have hastened the end of the [[Salvadoran Civil War]] in the 1980s. Crews flew undercover missions from Honduras and attacked guerrilla camps and concentrations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=C-130 versions |url=https://www.c-130.net/c-130-versions-article3.html |access-date= 2023-04-12 |website= C-130.net}}</ref>

AC-130s also had a primary role during the [[United States invasion of Panama]] (named Operation Just Cause) in 1989, when they destroyed [[Military of Panama |Panama Defense Force]] headquarters and numerous command-and-control facilities, and provided close air support for US ground troops. Aircrews earned the [[Mackay Trophy]] for the most meritorious flight of the year, and the Tunner Award.

===Gulf War and the 1990s===
[[File:USAF_AC130_Operation.ogv|thumb|right|A USAF AC-130 in combat operation]]

During the [[Gulf War]] of 1990–1991 (Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm), Regular Air Force and Air Force Reserve AC-130s provided close air support and force protection (air base defense) for ground forces, and battlefield interdiction. The primary interdiction targets were early-warning/[[Ground-controlled interception|ground-control intercept]] sites along the southern border of [[Iraq]]. At its standard altitude of {{convert|12,000|ft|abbr=on}}, the aircraft had a proven ability to engage moving ground targets.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.strategypage.com/dls/articles2005/200563005819.asp |title= Why the AC-130 Fears Daylight |access-date=7 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422213958/http://strategypage.com/dls/articles2005/200563005819.asp |archive-date=22 April 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> The first gunship to enter the [[Battle of Khafji]] helped stop a southbound Iraqi armored column on 29 January 1991. One day later, three more gunships provided further aid to [[United States Marine Corps|Marines]] participating in the operation. The gunships attacked Iraqi positions and columns moving south to reinforce their positions north of the city.

Despite the threat of SAMs and increasing visibility during the early morning hours of 31 January 1991, one AC-130H, AF Serial No. 69-6567, call-sign Spirit 03, opted to stay to continue to protect the Marines. A lone Iraqi with a [[Strela-2]] [[MANPADS]] shot Spirit 03 down, and all 14 crew members were killed.<ref>{{Citation|url=http://www.specialoperations.com/Memorial/spirit.html |type=memorial |contribution=Spirit 03 and the Battle for Khafji |title=Special operations |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081025094548/http://www.specialoperations.com/Memorial/spirit.html |archive-date=25 October 2008}}</ref> The loss of Spirit 03 did however result in the US DoD joining the development of the AN/AAQ-24 Directed Infrared Countermeasures System which, in its updated laser-based form, is now a common fit across large US military aircraft.{{citation needed|date=December 2021}}

The military has used AC-130 gunships during the humanitarian operations in [[Somalia]] ([[Unified Task Force|Operation Restore Hope]] and [[Operation United Shield]]) in 1992–93 and [[Operation Uphold Democracy]] in Haiti in 1994. AC-130s took part in [[Timeline of United States military operations#1991–1999|Operation Assured Response]] in Liberia in 1996 and in [[Operation Silver Wake]] in 1997, the evacuation of American [[non-combatants]] from [[Albania]].

AC-130s took part in the [[NATO]] missions in [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]] and [[Kosovo]] during the 1990s.

The AC-130U gunship set a new record for the longest sustained flight by any C-130 on 22 and 23 October 1997, when two AC-130U gunships flew 36 hours nonstop from Hurlburt Field to [[Taegu Air Base]] (Daegu), South Korea, being refueled seven times in the air by KC-135 tankers. The two gunships took on 410,000&nbsp;lb (186,000&nbsp;kg) of fuel. Gunships also were part of the buildup of US forces in 1998 to compel Iraq to allow [[UNSCOM]] weapons inspections.

===War on Terror===
[[File:AC-130 Training.jpg|thumb|An AC-130U releasing [[Flare (countermeasure)|flares]]]]

The US has used gunships with deployments to the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|War in Afghanistan]] ([[Operation Enduring Freedom#Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan|Operation Enduring Freedom]], [[Operation Freedom's Sentinel]], 2001–21), and [[Iraq War]] (Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2003–11). AC-130 strikes were directed by special forces on known Taliban locations during the early days of the war in Afghanistan. US Special Operations Forces used the AC-130 to support its operations. The day after arriving in Afghanistan, the AC-130s attacked Taliban and Al-Qaeda forces near the city of Kunduz and were directly responsible for the city's surrender the next day. On 26 November 2001, Spectres were called in to put down [[Battle of Qala-i-Jangi|a rebellion]] at the prison fort of [[Qala-i-Jangi]]. The 16 SOS flew missions over Mazar-i-Sharif, [[History of Kunduz|Kunduz]], Kandahar, Shkin, Asadabad, Bagram, Baghran, Tora Bora, and virtually every other part of Afghanistan. The Spectre participated in countless operations within Afghanistan, performing on-call close air support and armed reconnaissance. In March 2002, three AC-130 Spectres provided 39 crucial combat missions in support of [[Operation Anaconda]] in Afghanistan. During the intense fighting, the planes fired more than 1,300x 40mm and 1,200x 105mm rounds.

Close air support was the main mission of the AC-130 in Iraq. Night after night, at least one AC-130 was in the air to fulfill one or more air-support requests (ASRs). A typical mission had the AC–130 supporting a single brigade's ASRs followed by aerial refueling and another two hours with another brigade or SOF team. The use of AC-130s in places like Fallujah, urban settings where insurgents were among crowded populations of non-combatants, was criticized by human rights groups. AC-130s were also used for intelligence gathering with their sophisticated long-range video, infrared and radar sensors. In 2007, US Special Operations forces also used the AC-130 in attacks on suspected [[Al-Qaeda]] militants in Somalia.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/africa/01/08/somalia.strike/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070813055357/http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/africa/01/08/somalia.strike/ |url-status=dead |archive-date= 13 August 2007 |title=Pentagon official: US attacks al Qaeda suspects in Somalia |publisher=CNN |date=8 January 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6296971.stm |title=US plane 'bombed Somalia targets' |work=Africa News |publisher=BBC |access-date=25 January 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070306171925/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6296971.stm |archive-date=6 March 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Eight AC-130H and 17 AC-130U aircraft were in active-duty service as of July 2010.<ref name="AC-130HU_factsht 2009" /> In March 2011, the Air Force deployed two AC-130U gunships to take part in [[Operation Odyssey Dawn]], the [[2011 military intervention in Libya|US military intervention in Libya]],<ref>{{Citation |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-28/coalition-isn-t-coordinating-strikes-with-rebels-u-s-says-1-.html |title=Coalition Isn't Coordinating Strikes With Rebels, US Says |first=Brendan |last=McGarry |publisher=[[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]] |date=28 March 2011 |access-date=8 March 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141009190819/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-28/coalition-isn-t-coordinating-strikes-with-rebels-u-s-says-1-.html |archive-date=9 October 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> which eventually came under NATO as [[Operation Unified Protector]].<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/29/us/29military.html |title=US Gives Its Air Power Expansive Role in Libya |last=Schmitt |first=Eric |date=29 March 2011 |work= The New York Times |page=A13 |access-date=29 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401145709/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/29/us/29military.html |archive-date=1 April 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<!--American Heroes Channel is part of Military Channel, part of Discovery-->
By September 2013, 14 MC-130W Dragon Spear aircraft have been converted to AC-130W Stinger II gunships. The Stinger gunships have been deployed to Afghanistan to replace the aging AC-130H aircraft and provide an example for the new AC-130J Ghostrider. Modifications began by cutting holes in the plane to make room for weapons and adding kits and bomb bases for laser-guided munitions. Crews added a 105&nbsp;mm cannon, 20-inch infrared and electro-optical sensors, and the ability to carry 250-lb bombs on the wings.<ref>{{Citation |url= http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130917/NEWS04/309170016/AFSOC-s-new-weapon-Portable-unmanned-aircraft-bases |title= AFSOC's new weapon: Portable unmanned aircraft bases |newspaper= The Military Times |date= 17 September 2013 |access-date= 17 September 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131017235843/http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130917/NEWS04/309170016/AFSOC-s-new-weapon-Portable-unmanned-aircraft-bases |archive-date= 17 October 2013 |url-status= live}}</ref>

The final AC-130H Spectre gunship, tail number 69-6569 "Excalibur" was retired on 26 May 2015 at [[Cannon Air Force Base]], New Mexico.<ref name= "af26may15"/>

On 15 November 2015, two days after the [[November 2015 Paris attacks|attacks in Paris]] by [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|ISIL]], AC-130s and [[A-10 Thunderbolt II]] attack aircraft destroyed a convoy of over 100 ISIL-operated oil tanker trucks in Syria. The attacks were part of an intensification of the US-led [[military intervention against ISIL]] called [[Operation Tidal Wave II]] (named after the original [[Operation Tidal Wave]] during [[World War II]], a failed attempt to raid German oil fields that resulted in heavy aircraft and aircrew loss) in an attempt to cut off oil smuggling as a source of funding for the group.<ref>[http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/11/16/us-a10-attack-planes-hit-isis-oil-convoy-crimp-terror-funding.html US A-10 Attack Planes Hit ISIS Oil Convoy to Crimp Terror Funding] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117162257/http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/11/16/us-a10-attack-planes-hit-isis-oil-convoy-crimp-terror-funding.html |date=17 November 2015}} – Military.com, 16 November 2015</ref>

On 3 October 2015, an AC-130 mistakenly [[Kunduz hospital airstrike|attacked]] the [[Doctors Without Borders]] hospital in [[Kunduz, Afghanistan]], killing 42 people and injuring over 30. In five separate runs, the gunship struck the hospital, which had been erroneously identified as the source of attacks on coalition members. Subsequent inquiries led to punishment of 16 military personnel and cited "human error" as the root cause.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2016/01/07/congressman-questions-if-army-special-forces-denied-rescue-force-fire-support |title=Congressman questions if Army Special Forces denied rescue force, fire support|newspaper=The Washington post |date=7 January 2016 |access-date=11 January 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160111193304/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2016/01/07/congressman-questions-if-army-special-forces-denied-rescue-force-fire-support/ |archive-date=11 January 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stripes.com/news/centcom-ac-130-absolutely-did-fire-in-marjah-battle-against-taliban-1.387814 |title=CENTCOM: AC-130 'absolutely did fire' in Marjah battle against Taliban |work=Stars and Stripes |date=8 January 2016 |access-date=11 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111024901/http://www.stripes.com/news/centcom-ac-130-absolutely-did-fire-in-marjah-battle-against-taliban-1.387814 |archive-date=11 January 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/09/world/asia/doctors-without-borders-hospital-kunduz-afghanistan.html |title= Death Toll in Airstrike on Doctors Without Borders Hospital May Rise, Group Says |work= The New York Times |date= 8 October 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170519125116/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/09/world/asia/doctors-without-borders-hospital-kunduz-afghanistan.html |archive-date= 19 May 2017 |url-status= live|last1= Nordland |first1= Rod }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/09/world/asia/afghanistan-taliban-kunduz-doctors-without-borders-airstrike.html|title=U.S. Role in Afghanistan Turns to Combat Again, With a Tragic Error |newspaper=The New York Times |date=8 May 2016 |access-date=25 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227144947/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/09/world/asia/afghanistan-taliban-kunduz-doctors-without-borders-airstrike.html?_r=0 |archive-date=27 February 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/30/world/asia/afghanistan-doctors-without-borders-hospital-strike.html |title=Pentagon Details Chain of Errors in Strike on Afghan Hospital |newspaper= The New York Times |date=29 April 2016 |access-date=12 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012214633/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/30/world/asia/afghanistan-doctors-without-borders-hospital-strike.html |archive-date=12 October 2018 |url-status=live |last1= Rosenberg |first1=Matthew}}</ref>

On 30 September 2017, the Air Force declared the AC-130J Ghostrider had achieved initial operational capability, with six gunships having been delivered; the aircraft is planned to reach full operational capability by 2023 with 37 gunships delivered. The J-variant is lighter and more fuel efficient than previous versions, able to fly at {{convert|416|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} with a range of {{convert|3000|mi|km|abbr=on}} and service ceiling of {{convert |28000|ft|m|abbr= on}}.<ref name="militarytimes10oct17"/> The AC-130U returned from its final combat deployment on 8 July 2019;<ref>[https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/07/10/ac-130u-spooky-gunship-completes-its-final-combat-deployment.html AC-130U 'Spooky' Gunship Completes its Final Combat Deployment] {{Webarchive |url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190714194852/https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/07/10/ac-130u-spooky-gunship-completes-its-final-combat-deployment.html |date= 14 July 2019}}. ''Military.com'', 10 July 2019.</ref> the final AC-130U was retired in June 2020.<ref name=AC-130U_Fact_Sheet>[https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104486/ac-130u/ "AC-130U Fact Sheet"]. U.S. Air Force</ref> AFSOC started taking delivery of the AC-130J in spring 2019, and the aircraft began deploying to Afghanistan by the summer.<ref>[https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/09/16/ghostrider-gunship-ultimate-battle-plane-afsoc-commander-says.html "AFSOC's 'Ultimate Battle Plane' Now Operating in Afghanistan"]. ''Military.com'', 16 September 2019.</ref>

On 21 November 2023, the Air Force released a statement that an AC-130J had performed a retaliatory strike on Iranian-backed militia group in central Iraq. The strike happened near [[Al-Asad Airbase]] after the militia members reportedly launched a ballistic missile against Al-Asad airbase. The Deputy Press Secretary of [[The Pentagon]], [[Sabrina Singh]] stated "This self-defense strike resulted in some hostile fatalities." Notably the AC-130J's transponder remained on during the strike, and the remainder of its sortie.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Schogol |first1=Jeff |title=AC-130 destroys truck after watching it launch ballistic missile at US troops in Iraq |url=https://taskandpurpose.com/news/us-military-ac-130-iraq/ |work=Task & Purpose |date=21 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Dress |first1=Brad |title=US forces respond after attack at Iraq base, officials say |url=https://thehill.com/policy/defense/4321260-us-forces-respond-after-attack-at-iraq-base-officials-say/ |work=The Hill |date=21 November 2023}}</ref>

==Variants==
=== In service ===
'''AC-130J Ghostrider'''<ref name="ghostrider"/>
:Based on [[Lockheed MC-130#MC-130J Commando II|MC-130J]]; 32 aircraft were procured as of 2014 to replace the AC-130H.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/473295/new-ac-130j-completes-first-test-flight/ |title=New AC-130J completes first test flight |last1=King Jr. |first1=Samuel |date=7 February 2014 |website=af.mil |publisher=Team Eglin Public Affairs |access-date=9 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302085446/http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/473295/new-ac-130j-completes-first-test-flight.aspx |archive-date=2 March 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Cohen, R. (12 November 2022). [https://www.c4isrnet.com/battlefield-tech/2022/11/12/pentagon-quietly-downsizes-us-special-operations-fleet-of-gunships/ "Pentagon quietly downsizes US Special Operations Fleet of gunships"]. C4ISRNet.</ref> As of 2018, the first AC-130J Ghostrider squadron, the 73rd Special Operations Squadron, is operating from Hurlburt Field, Florida.<ref name=AC130J/><ref>Lake, Jon. "Ghostrider Arrives to Replace Spooky Loop." Aviation International News. 14 March 2019. Retrieved 31 July 2021.</ref><ref name="Special ops get fewer new gunships">{{cite web |url=https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-air-force/2022/11/10/special-ops-airmen-get-fewer-new-gunships-than-promised/ |title=Special ops airmen get fewer new gunships than promised |date=10 November 2022}}</ref>

=== Retired ===
'''AC-130A Spectre''' (Project Gunship II, Surprise Package, Pave Pronto)
:Conversions of [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules|C-130As]]; 19 completed; transferred to [[Air Force Reserve]] in 1975, retired in 1995.<ref name="Pave Pronto" />

'''AC-130E Spectre''' (Pave Spectre, Pave Aegis)
:Conversions of [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules|C-130Es]]; 11 completed; 10 upgraded to AC-130H configuration.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 January 2009 |title=Lockheed AC-130H |url=http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3226 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110913013658/http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3226 |archive-date=13 September 2011 |website=[[National Museum of the United States Air Force]]}}</ref>

'''AC-130H Spectre'''
:Upgraded AC-130E aircraft; 8 completed; last aircraft retired in 2015.<ref name="af26may15" />

'''AC-130U Spooky'''
:The 3rd generation AC-130 gunship.<ref name="AF_factsht_AC-130U 2021">{{cite web |url= https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104486/ac-130u/ |title= AC-130U |publisher= [[US Air Force]] |date= January 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221009010427/http://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104486/ac-130u/ |archive-date= 9 October 2022 |url-status= live}}</ref> The variant was retired in June 2020.<ref name=AC-130U_Fact_Sheet/>

'''AC-130W Stinger II''' (formerly known as the [[Lockheed MC-130#MC-130W Dragon Spear|MC-130W Dragon Spear]])
:In May 2012 MC-130W Dragon Spear was renamed to AC-130W Stinger II.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AC-130W Stinger II |url=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104485/ac-130w-stinger-ii/ |access-date=30 September 2024 |website=U.S. Air Force}}</ref>12 MC-130W's converted to gunships.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AC-130W Stinger II Archives |url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/weapons-platforms/ac-130w/ |access-date=2024-12-14 |website=Air & Space Forces Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> The variant was retired in July 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 June 2022 |title=AC-130W Stinger II Retirement |url=https://www.hqmc.marines.mil/News/MarinesTV/videoid/846963/dvpTag/Gunship/ |access-date=30 September 2024 |website=Headquarters Marine Corps (.mil) |quote="...along with the remaining two AC-130Ws stationed at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., will be effectively retired next month, by order of the Secretary of the Air Force."}}</ref>

==Operators==
[[File:AC-130U over Hurlburt Field.jpg|thumb|AC-130U over Hurlburt Field]]

;{{flag|United States}}
*[[United States Air Force]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.military.com/special-operations/1st-special-operations-wing.html |title=Spec Ops Profile: 1st Special Operations Wing |work=Military.com |access-date=7 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418073630/http://www.military.com/special-operations/1st-special-operations-wing.html |archive-date=18 April 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cannon.af.mil/Units.aspx |title=Units |access-date=7 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304023444/http://www.cannon.af.mil/Units.aspx |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eglin.af.mil/News/story/id/123379338/ |title=New AC-130J completes first test flight |access-date=7 April 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223114926/http://www.eglin.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123379338 |archive-date=23 February 2014}}</ref>- 37 Active Duty as of 2024<ref name=AC130J/>
**Detachment 2, 14th Air Commando Wing – [[Nha Trang Air Base]], [[South Vietnam]] 1967–1968
**[[8th Tactical Fighter Wing]] – Ubon/[[Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base]], [[Thailand]] 1968–1975
***[[16th Special Operations Squadron]]
**[[1st Special Operations Wing]] – [[Hurlburt Field]], Florida 1975–1993, 2006–present
***[[4th Special Operations Squadron]] 2006–present
***[[8th Special Operations Squadron]] 1975
***[[16th Special Operations Squadron]] 1975–1993, 2006–2007
***[[18th Flight Test Squadron]] 1991–1993, 2006–2017
***[[19th Special Operations Squadron]] 2006–2017
***[[73rd Special Operations Squadron]] 2018–present
**[[16th Special Operations Wing]] – Hurlburt Field, Florida 1993–2006
***[[4th Special Operations Squadron]] 1995–2006
***[[73rd Special Operations Squadron]] 2007–2015
***[[18th Flight Test Squadron]]
***[[19th Special Operations Squadron]] 1996–2006
**[[27th Special Operations Wing]] – [[Cannon AFB]], [[New Mexico]] 2007–
***[[16th Special Operations Squadron]]
***[[17th Special Operations Squadron]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cannon.af.mil/Units/27th-Special-Operations-Group/|title=27th Special Operations Group|website=www.cannon.af.mil|access-date=19 July 2023|archive-date=21 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521040847/https://www.cannon.af.mil/Units/27th-Special-Operations-Group/|url-status=dead}}</ref> -2023
***[[551st Special Operations Squadron]] -2021
**[[46th Test Wing]] – [[Eglin AFB]], Florida 2014–present
***[[413th Flight Test Squadron]]
**[[412th Test Wing]] – [[Edwards AFB]], California 1990–1995
***[[418th Flight Test Squadron]]
**[[492nd Special Operations Wing]] – [[Hurlburt Field]], Florida 2017–present
***[[18th Special Operations Test and Evaluation Squadron]]
***[[19th Special Operations Squadron]]
**[[919th Special Operations Wing]] – [[Duke Field]], Florida 1975–1995
***[[711th Special Operations Squadron]]

==Aircraft on display==
[[File:AC-130 Spectre nose art.jpg|thumb|[[Nose art]] on AC-130A AF Serial No. 53–3129 at the USAF Armament Museum, Eglin AFB, Florida]]

One of the first seven AC-130A aircraft deployed to [[Vietnam]] was AF serial no. 53–3129, named ''First Lady'' in November 1970. This aircraft was a conversion of the first production C-130. On 25 March 1971, it took an [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft artillery]] hit in the belly just aft of the nose gear wheel well over the [[Ho Chi Minh trail]] in Laos. The 37&nbsp;mm shell destroyed everything below the crew deck and barely missed striking two crew members. The pilot was able to crash land the aircraft safely.<ref>Noecker, Jeff. ''Callsign: Spectre'' {{specify|date=April 2015}}</ref> In 1975, after the conclusion of US involvement in the Vietnam war, it was transferred to the [[Air Force Reserve Command|Air Force Reserve]], where it served with the [[711th Special Operations Squadron]] of the [[919th Special Operations Wing]]. In 1980, the aircraft was upgraded from the original three-bladed propellers to the quieter four-bladed propellers and was eventually retired in late 1995. The retirement also marked an end to the [[Air Force Reserve Command]] flying the AC-130A. The aircraft now sits on display in the final Air Force Reserve Command configuration with grey paint, black markings, and the four-bladed Hamilton Sunstrand 54H60-91 props at the [[Air Force Armament Museum]] at [[Eglin Air Force Base]], Florida, USA.<ref>[http://www.gunships.org/birds.html "List of AC-130 Gunships."] ''Gunships''. Retrieved 6 June 2011. {{dead link|date=July 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>[http://www.gunships.org/1stlady.html "First Lady retires, era ends."] ''Gunships''. Retrieved 6 June 2011. {{dead link|date=July 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

A second aircraft, AF serial no. 56–0509, named the ''Ultimate End'', was originally accepted as a C-130A by the Air Force on 28 February 1957,{{citation needed|date=December 2017}} and modified to the AC-130A configuration on 27 July 1970. The aircraft participated in the Vietnam War and the [[Mayaguez incident|rescue]] of the [[SS Mayaguez]]. ''Ultimate End'' demonstrated the durability of the C-130 after surviving hits in five places by 37&nbsp;mm anti-aircraft artillery on 12 December 1970, extensive left wing leading edge damage on 12 April 1971 and a 57&nbsp;mm round damaging the belly and injuring one crewman on 4 March 1972. "Ultimate End" was reassigned to the [[Air Force Reserve]]'s [[919th Special Operations Wing]] at [[Eglin AFB]] Auxiliary Field No.3 / [[Duke Field]] on 17 June 1975, where it continued in service until retired in the fall 1994 and transferred to [[Air Force Special Operations Command]]'s ''Heritage Air Park'' at [[Hurlburt Field]], Florida. While assigned to the [[711th Special Operations Squadron]], ''Ultimate End'' served in Operations JUST CAUSE in Panama, [[DESERT STORM]] in Kuwait and Iraq, and UPHOLD DEMOCRACY in Haiti. After 36 years and seven months of service, 24 years as a gunship, ''Ultimate End'' retired from service on 1 October 1994. It made its last flight from [[Duke Field]] to [[Hurlburt Field]] on 20 October 1994. The Spectre Association dedicated "Ultimate End" (which served with the 16 SOS in Vietnam) on 4 May 1995. Lt Col Michael Byers, then 16 SOS commander, represented the active-duty gunship force and Clyde Gowdy of the Spectre Association represented all Spectre personnel past and present for the unveiling of a monument at the aircraft and the dedication as a whole.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AC-130A Spectre |url=http://www.hurlburt.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3423 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100623064014/http://www2.hurlburt.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3423 |archive-date=23 June 2010 |website=[[Hurlburt Field|USAF Hurlburt Field]]}}</ref>

A third AC-130A, AF serial no. 54–1630, is on display in the Cold War Gallery at the [[National Museum of the United States Air Force]] at [[Wright-Patterson AFB]], Ohio. Named ''Azrael'' for the [[Azrael|angel of death]] in [[Islamic|Islam]] who severs the soul from the body, this aircraft figured prominently in the closing hours of Operation Desert Storm. On 26 February 1991, Coalition ground forces were driving the Iraqi Army out of Kuwait. With an Air Force Reserve crew called to active duty, Azrael was sent to the [[Highway of Death|Al Jahra highway]] (Highway 80) between [[Kuwait City]] and [[Basra]], Iraq, to intercept the convoys of tanks, trucks, buses, and cars fleeing the battle. Facing [[SA-6]] and [[SA-8]] surface-to-air missiles and 37&nbsp;mm and 57&nbsp;mm radar-guided anti-aircraft artillery the crew attacked and destroyed or disabled most of the convoys. ''Azrael'' was also assigned to the [[919th Special Operations Wing]] and retired to the museum in October 1995.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=412 |title=Lockheed AC-130A Spectre |access-date=7 April 2009 |publisher=National Museum of the United States Air Force |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025075036/http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=412 |archive-date=25 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/photos/071106-F-1234S-006.jpg |title=AC-130A Spectre image |publisher=National Museum of the United States Air Force |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231001323/http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/photos/071106-F-1234S-006.jpg |archive-date=31 December 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Another AC-130A, AF serial no. 54–1626, the original prototype AC-130 named "Gunship II" is on display at the outdoor Air Park at the [[National Museum of the United States Air Force]] at [[Wright-Patterson AFB]], Ohio.<ref name="USAF Nat Museum" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/photos/051128-F-1234P-066.jpg |title=AC-130A image |publisher=National Museum of the United States Air Force |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022064020/http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/photos/051128-F-1234P-066.jpg |archive-date=22 October 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> This aircraft served in Southeast Asia from 1967 to 1972, then served in JC-130A test configuration. It was transferred to the National Museum of the United States Air Force in 1976, and converted back to AC-130A configuration in the late 1990s.

AC-130A serial no. 54–1623, c/n 3010, named "Ghost Rider" served in Southeast Asia and later conflicts until being retired in 1997 to [[Dobbins AFB]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]. Ghost Rider eventually was transferred and displayed at the Aviation Wing Museum at [[Marietta, Georgia|Marietta]], Georgia.

AC-130A serial no. 55–0014, named "Jaws of Death," initially served as a C-130A cargo aircraft before being converted to AC-130A configuration in 1970 and being deployed in Southeast Asia from 1971 to 1975. The aircraft also participated in Operation Desert Storm as part of Joint Task Force Proven Force in 1991 before being retired in 1995, when it was flown to [[Robins Air Force Base]], Georgia and placed on display at the adjacent [[Museum of Aviation (Warner Robins)|Museum of Aviation]] in [[Warner Robins, Georgia|Warner Robins]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=C-130.net - The ultimate C-130 Hercules reference |url=https://www.c-130.net/aircraft-database/C-130/airframe-profile/6315/ |access-date=2025-01-30 |website=www.c-130.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=AC-130A Spectre {{!}} Museum of Aviation |url=https://museumofaviation.org/portfolio/ac-130a-spectre/ |access-date=2025-01-30 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-06-12 |title=Reservists renew bond with Desert Storm AC-130A gunship |url=https://www.afrc.af.mil/News/Article/560975/reservists-renew-bond-with-desert-storm-ac-130a-gunship/ |access-date=2025-01-30 |website=Air Force Reserve Command |language=en-US}}</ref>

AC-130H serial no. 69-6575, named "Wicked Wanda" is on display at the Hurlburt Field, FL airpark.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Placie |first1=Tyler |title=Hurlburt Field adds AC-130H, MC-130 to air park |url=https://www.afsoc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/652344/hurlburt-field-adds-ac-130h-mc-130-to-air-park/ |website=Air Force Special Operations Command |access-date=14 November 2023 |date=2 February 2016}}</ref>

AC-130U serial no. 87-0128, named "Big Daddy" is on display at the Hurlburt Field, FL airpark.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mahoney |first1=Miranda |title=Hurlburt Field Airpark Adventure: The AC-130U Spooky Gunship |url=https://www.hurlburt.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3127728/hurlburt-field-airpark-adventure-the-ac-130u-spooky-gunship/ |website=Hurlburt Field |access-date=14 November 2023 |date=15 August 2022}}</ref>

==Specifications (AC-130)==
[[File:Lockheed Martin AC-130U Line Drawing.svg|right|350px]]
[[File:AC-130U training.jpg|thumb|AC-130U Spooky]]

{{Aircraft specs
|ref=USAF AC-130U Fact Sheet,<ref name="AF_factsht_AC-130U 2021"/> AC-130J Fact Sheet<ref name=AC130J/>
|prime units?=kts
<!--  General characteristics
-->
|crew=7
** '''Officers:''' 4 (Two Pilots, Two Combat Systems Officers)
** '''Enlisted:''' 3 (Special Mission Aviators)
|capacity=
|length m=
|length ft=97
|length in=9
|length note=
|span m=
|span ft=132
|span in=7
|span note=
|dia m=<!-- airships etc -->
|dia ft=<!-- airships etc -->
|dia in=<!-- airships etc -->
|dia note=
|height m=
|height ft=38
|height in=6
|height note=
|wing area sqm=
|wing area sqft=1745.5
|wing area note=
|swept area sqm=<!-- swing-wings -->
|swept area sqft=<!-- swing-wings -->
|swept area note=
|volume m3=<!-- lighter-than-air -->
|volume ft3=<!-- lighter-than-air -->
|volume note=
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|airfoil=
|empty weight kg=
|empty weight lb=
|empty weight note=
|gross weight kg=
|gross weight lb=<!-- 122400 unsourced -->
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight kg=
|max takeoff weight lb=155000
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|lift kg=<!-- lighter-than-air -->
|lift lb=<!-- lighter-than-air -->
|lift note=
|more general=
<!--  Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=4
|eng1 name=[[Allison T56]]-A-15
|eng1 type=[[turboprop]] engine
|eng1 kw=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 hp=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 shp=4300
|eng1 note=(AC-130U)

|eng2 number=4
|eng2 name=[[Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3]]
|eng3 type=[[turboprop]] engine
|eng2 kw=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng2 hp=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng2 shp=4700
|eng2 note=(AC-130J)

|prop blade number=6
|prop name=Dowty R391 featuring ARA-D/A airfoils
|prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia note=
<!--  Performance
-->
|max speed kmh=669
|max speed mph=416
|max speed kts=362
|max speed note=
|max speed mach=<!-- supersonic aircraft -->
|cruise speed kmh=
|cruise speed mph=
|cruise speed kts=
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed kmh=
|stall speed mph=
|stall speed kts=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed mph=
|never exceed speed kts=
|never exceed speed note=
|minimum control speed kmh=
|minimum control speed mph=
|minimum control speed kts=
|minimum control speed note=
|range km=
|range miles=
|range nmi=
|range note=
|combat range km=
|combat range miles=
|combat range nmi=
|combat range note=
|ferry range km=
|ferry range miles=
|ferry range nmi=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling m=
|ceiling ft=39000
|ceiling note=
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic -->
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->
|climb rate ms=
|climb rate ftmin=
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|wing loading kg/m2=
|wing loading lb/sqft=
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption kg/km=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|power/mass=

|more performance=
<!--  Armament
-->
|armament=
;;AC-130A Project Gunship II (retired)
* 4 × [[7.62×51mm NATO|7.62 mm]] [[GAU-17|GAU-2/A]] miniguns
* 4 × [[20 mm caliber|20 mm (0.787 in)]] [[M61 Vulcan]] 6-barrel rotary cannon

;;AC-130A Surprise Package, Pave Pronto, AC-130E Pave Spectre (retired)
* 2× 7.62&nbsp;mm GAU-2/A miniguns
* 2× 20&nbsp;mm M61 Vulcan cannon
* 2× 40&nbsp;mm (1.58&nbsp;in) [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|L/60 Bofors cannon]]

;;AC-130E Pave Aegis (retired)
* 2× 20&nbsp;mm M61 Vulcan cannon
* 1× 40&nbsp;mm (1.58&nbsp;in) L/60 Bofors cannon
* 1× 105&nbsp;mm (4.13&nbsp;in) [[M102 howitzer]]

;;AC-130H Spectre (retired)<ref name="AF Factsheet 130HU 2014">{{Citation |title=AC-130H/U Gunship |date=December 2015 |url=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104486/ac-130u/ |type=fact sheet |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226130138/http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/FactSheets/Display/tabid/224/Article/104486/ac-130hu.aspx |place=US |publisher=Air Force |access-date=11 February 2014 |archive-date=26 February 2014 |url-status=deviated}} (20 mm guns were removed).</ref>
(Prior to c. 2000)
* 2× 20&nbsp;mm M61 Vulcan cannon
* 1× 40&nbsp;mm (1.58&nbsp;in) L/60 Bofors cannon
* 1× 105&nbsp;mm (4.13&nbsp;in) M102 howitzer
(Latest armament){{citation needed|date=October 2022}}
* 1× 40&nbsp;mm (1.58&nbsp;in) L/60 Bofors cannon
* 1× 105&nbsp;mm (4.13&nbsp;in) M102 howitzer

;;AC-130U Spooky II (retired)
* 1× [[General Dynamics]] [[25 mm caliber|25 mm (0.984 in)]] [[GAU-12 Equalizer|GAU-12/U Equalizer]] 5-barreled rotary cannon
* 1× [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|40&nbsp;mm (1.58&nbsp;in) L/60 Bofors cannon]]
* 1× 105&nbsp;mm (4.13&nbsp;in) M102 howitzer

;;AC-130W Stinger II (retired) / AC-130J Ghostrider (in service)<ref name="ghostrider" />
* 1× 30&nbsp;mm [[Alliant Techsystems|ATK]] [[Mk44 Bushmaster II|GAU-23/A]] autocannon<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/atks-gau-23-30mm-automatic-cannon-receives-type-classification-for-use-on-us-air-force-ac-130w-gunships-161758515.html |title=ATK's GAU-23 30mm Automatic Cannon Receives Type Classification for Use on U.S. Air Force AC-130W Gunships |agency=PR Newswire |access-date=9 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121211020513/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/atks-gau-23-30mm-automatic-cannon-receives-type-classification-for-use-on-us-air-force-ac-130w-gunships-161758515.html |archive-date=11 December 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* 1× 105&nbsp;mm M102 howitzer<ref>{{cite web|url=http://breakingdefense.com/2015/01/ghostriders-big-gun-ac-130j-gets-105-asap-laser-later/ |title=Ghostrider's Big Gun: AC-130J Gets 105 ASAP; Laser Later|work=Breaking Defense|date=27 January 2015|access-date=7 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401151826/http://breakingdefense.com/2015/01/ghostriders-big-gun-ac-130j-gets-105-asap-laser-later/|archive-date=1 April 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/the-ac-130j-ghostrider-will-get-a-big-ass-gun-afterall-1682493641 |title=The AC-130J Ghostrider Will Get A Big Ass Gun Afterall|author=Tyler Rogoway|work=Foxtrot Alpha|date=30 January 2015 |access-date=7 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327030636/http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/the-ac-130j-ghostrider-will-get-a-big-ass-gun-afterall-1682493641|archive-date=27 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/9940/the-usaf-finally-gives-its-ac-130w-gunship-the-big-gun-it-desperately-needs |title=The USAF Finally Gives Its AC-130W Gunship the Big Gun It Desperately Needs |date=3 May 2017 |access-date=6 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007022103/http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/9940/the-usaf-finally-gives-its-ac-130w-gunship-the-big-gun-it-desperately-needs |archive-date=7 October 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Editorial, D. B. (2022, 25 January). US Air Force AC-130 gunships getting new 105mm howitzer. https://defbrief.com/2022/01/25/us-air-force-ac-130-gunships-getting-new-105mm-howitzer/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209174825/https://defbrief.com/2022/01/25/us-air-force-ac-130-gunships-getting-new-105mm-howitzer/ |date=9 December 2023 }}</ref>
* 'Gunslinger' weapons system with launch tube for [[AGM-176 Griffin]] missiles and/or [[GBU-44/B Viper Strike]] munitions (10 round magazines)<ref name="MC-130W Dragon Spear">{{cite web |url= http://airforce.americanspecialops.com/aircraft/mc-130w-dragon-spear/ |title= MC-130W Dragon Spear |publisher= Air Force Special Operations |access-date= 16 September 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121025132215/http://airforce.americanspecialops.com/aircraft/mc-130w-dragon-spear/ |archive-date= 25 October 2012 |url-status= live}}</ref>
* Wing mounted, [[AGM-114 Hellfire]] missiles (AC-130J only), [[Small Diameter Bomb|GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs (SDBs)]], and/or [[GBU-53/B]] SDB IIs<ref name="MC-130W Dragon Spear"/> (4 per hardpoint on BRU-61/A rack)<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.armedforces-int.com/news/bru-61a-bomb-rack-contract-for-cobham.html |title= BRU-61/A Bomb Rack |publisher= Armed Forces International |access-date= 22 March 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110324233720/http://www.armedforces-int.com/news/bru-61a-bomb-rack-contract-for-cobham.html |archive-date= 24 March 2011 |url-status= dead |df= dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |url= http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htsf/articles/20121129.aspx |contribution= Daytime Gunships Galore |title= Strategy page |date= 29 November 2012 |access-date= 29 November 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121201134210/http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htsf/articles/20121129.aspx |archive-date= 1 December 2012 |url-status= live}}</ref>
|avionics=
;;AC-130H Spectre (retired)
* '''Mission systems:'''
** [[Northrop Grumman]] AN/APN-241 multimode navigation radar – derived version of [[AN/APG-66]] radar (formerly used on [[F-16A Fighting Falcon]]) consisting of precise navigation and air-to-ground modes including Monopulse Ground Mapping (MGM), Doppler Beam Sharpening (DBS), high resolution [[synthetic-aperture radar]] (SAR), Terrain Avoidance/Terrain Following (TA/TF), skin paint (for Station KEeping; SKE), maritime detection, weather/turbulence detection, wind shear alert, and ballistic wind measurement (for precision airdrop)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.saffm.hq.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-070221-135.pdf |title=Aircraft Procurement, vol 2 part 2, FY05 |publisher=USAF |access-date=25 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217052204/http://www.saffm.hq.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-070221-135.pdf |archive-date=17 February 2013}}</ref>
** [[Motorola]] (now [[General Dynamics]]) AN/APQ-150 Beacon Tracking Radar (BTR) – side-looking radar designed to search, acquire, and track ground beacon signal (X-band transponder) located at a friendly position from 10 nautical miles, beacon coordinate is used as a reference point for ground troop to give the gunship a bearing and range from the beacon to the desired target (mounted between 40&nbsp;mm cannon and 105&nbsp;mm howitzer)<ref name="Boyne, Walter J.">Boyne, Walter J. ''Encyclopedia of Modern U.S. Military Weapons'', pp. 10–12. Barkley Books, 1995. {{ISBN|0-425-16437-3}}. Retrieved 1 July 2013.</ref><ref name="CFETP 2A5X3A">U.S. Air Force ''Career Field Education and Training Plan: Communication/Navigation/Mission Systems'', pp. 257–291. U.S. Air Force, 2006. Retrieved 25 July 2013.</ref>
** [[Cubic Corporation]] AN/ARS-6 Personnel Locator System (PLS) – radio navigation set<ref name="CFETP 2A5X3A" />
** [[Raytheon]] AN/AAQ-26 Infrared Detecting Set (IDS) – long-wave infrared (LWIR) band [[Forward Looking Infrared]] (FLIR) (mounted forward of the nose landing gear door)<ref name="CFETP 2A5X3A" /><ref name="AAQ-26">{{cite web |url=http://www.raytheon.com/capabilities/products/aaq26/ |title=AN/AAQ-26 Infrared Detecting Set |publisher=Raytheon |access-date=11 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603210459/http://www.raytheon.com/capabilities/products/aaq26/ |archive-date=3 June 2013}}</ref>
** [[General Electric]] (now [[Lockheed Martin]]) AN/ASQ-145 Low Light Level Television (LLLTV) – EO fire control system consists of television camera ([[Closed-circuit television|CCD-TV]]), AN/AVQ-19 Laser Target Designator/Ranger (LTD/R – 1064&nbsp;nm laser emitter with permanently preset PRF code) with eyesafe mode (1570&nbsp;nm laser emitter), AN/AAT-3 Ambient Temperature Illuminator (ATI – wide beam 860&nbsp;nm laser illuminator), and Infrared Zoom Laser Illuminator Designator (IZLID – airborne version of 860&nbsp;nm narrow beam laser pointer/marker and illuminator AN/PEQ-18) (mounted in the crew entrance door)<ref name="Boyne, Walter J." /><ref name="CFETP 2A5X3A" />
* '''Navigation systems:'''
** [[Ryan Aeronautical|Teledyne Ryan]] (now part of [[Northrop Grumman]]) AN/APN-218 radar – doppler navigation radar<ref name="CFETP 2A5X3A" />
* '''Previously installed systems:'''
** AN/APN-59 radar – search and weather radar<ref name="CFETP 2A5X3A" />

;;AC-130U Spooky II (retired)
* '''Mission systems:'''
** [[Raytheon]] [[AN/APQ-180]] multimode attack radar – enhanced version of [[AN/APG-70]] radar (used on [[F-15E Strike Eagle]]) incorporating several enhanced air-to-ground modes such as fixed target track, ground moving target indication and track, projectile impact point position, beacon track, and a weather detection<ref name="CFETP 2A5X3A" /><ref name="Pushies, Fred J.">Pushies, Fred J. ''United States Air Force Special Ops'', pp. 42–26. Zenith Press, 2007. {{ISBN|0-760-32947-8}}. Retrieved 12 June 2013.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.raytheon.com/capabilities/products/apq180/ |title=AN/APQ-180 Radar |publisher=Raytheon |access-date=11 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603191609/https://www.raytheon.com/capabilities/products/apq180/ |archive-date=3 June 2013}}</ref>
** [[Raytheon]] AN/AAQ-26 IDS – LWIR FLIR (mounted on port side of the nose landing gear door)<ref name="CFETP 2A5X3A" /><ref name="AAQ-26" />
** [[Lockheed Martin]] AN/AAQ-39 Gunship Multispectral Sensor System (GMS2) – EO/IR fire control system consists of mid-wave infrared (MWIR) FLIR, two Image-Intensified Television (I2TV) cameras ([[Closed-circuit television|CCD-TV]]), laser target designator/rangefinder with eyesafe mode (1064 and 1570&nbsp;nm dual mode laser emitter), and near-infrared (NIR) laser pointer/marker (860&nbsp;nm laser emitter) (mounted under the nose of port landing gear sponson)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/products/q-39.html |title=AN/AAQ-39 |publisher=Lockheed Martin |access-date=12 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515171231/http://lockheedmartin.com/us/products/q-39.html |archive-date=15 May 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* '''Previously installed systems:'''
** [[Marconi Electronic Systems|GEC-Marconi]] All Light Level Television (ALLTV) – EO fire control systems consists of CCD-TV, Laser Target Designator/Range Finder (LTD/RF – 1064&nbsp;nm laser emitter with in-flight programmable PRF code) with eyesafe mode (1570&nbsp;nm laser emitter), and Laser Illuminator Assembly (LIA – 860&nbsp;nm laser emitter)<ref name="CFETP 2A5X3A" />
* '''Countermeasures:'''
** [[Raytheon]] AN/ALR-69 – digital [[Radar warning receiver]] (RWR)<ref name="Pushies, Fred J." /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.raytheon.com/capabilities/products/alr69/ |title=AN/ALR-69A(V) Radar Warning Receiver |publisher=Raytheon |access-date=12 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017005137/http://www.raytheon.com/capabilities/products/alr69/ |archive-date=17 October 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>
** [[L-3 Communications]] AN/AAR-44 – UV-based [[Missile Approach Warning]] System (MAWS)<ref>{{cite web |publisher= American Special Ops |url= http://www.americanspecialops.com/usaf-special-operations/aircraft/ac-130/ |title= AN/AAR-44 – Infrared Warning Receiver |access-date= 11 August 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140701133444/http://www.americanspecialops.com/usaf-special-operations/aircraft/ac-130/ |archive-date= 1 July 2014 |url-status= live}}</ref>
** [[ITT Exelis]] [[AN/ALQ-172]] – [[Digital radio frequency memory]] (DRFM) jammer-based [[Electronic countermeasure]] (ECM) incorporating integrated Electronic Warfare (EW) self-protection function of detection, processing, warning, prioritization, jamming, and threat display<ref name="Pushies, Fred J." /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.exelisinc.com/solutions/ALQ-172-EW-Integrated-Self-Protection-System/Pages/ |title=ALQ-172 (EW Integrated Self Protection System) |publisher=ITT Exelis |access-date=12 June 2013 |archive-date=14 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314013852/http://www.exelisinc.com/solutions/ALQ-172-EW-Integrated-Self-Protection-System/Pages/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
** [[BAE Systems]] AN/ALQ-196 Low-Band Jammer (LBJ) – low frequency DRFM jammer-based ECM<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?do=main.textpost&id=a3db0372-cdfa-4872-ba15-4d26d5663292 |title=BAe Systems Jammer for Special Hercs |publisher=Aero News Network |access-date=12 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304025445/http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?do=main.textpost&id=a3db0372-cdfa-4872-ba15-4d26d5663292 |archive-date=4 March 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>
** [[Northrop Grumman]] AN/AAQ-24 Nemesis – laser-based [[Directional Infrared Counter Measures]] (DIRCM) (mounted on the port and starboard rear fuselage)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.designation-systems.net/usmilav/jetds/an-aa2ad.html#_AAQ |title=AN/AAQ – Airborne Infrared Multipurpose/Special Equipment |publisher= Designation systems |first= Andreas |last= Parsch |access-date=12 June 2013}}</ref>
** [[BAE Systems]] [[AN/ALE-47]] Countermeasure Dispensing System (CMDS) – chaff/flare dispenser{{cn|date=February 2023}}
}}
[[File:AC-130U Aerial Gunners.jpg|thumb|Gunners loading 40&nbsp;mm cannon (background) and 105 mm cannon (foreground)]]
[[File:AC-130H flies along Northwest Florida coast.jpg|thumb|AC-130H Spectre over [[Santa Rosa Island, Florida|Santa Rosa Island]], Northwest Florida coast.]]

==Notable appearances in media==
<!-- Read [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] before adding any "Popular culture" items. The aircraft must have a MAJOR or "especially notable" role in what is listed. Random cruft, including all Ace Combat, Battlefield, toys, and Metal Gear Solid appearances and anime/fiction look-a-like speculation will be removed. -->
{{main|Aircraft in fiction#C-130 Hercules|l1=C-130 Hercules in fiction}}

==See also==
{{aircontent
|see also=<!-- other related articles that have not already linked: -->
|related=<!-- designs which were developed into or from this aircraft: -->
* [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules]]
* [[Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules]]
|similar aircraft=<!-- aircraft that are of similar role, era, and capability as this design: -->
* [[Douglas AC-47 Spooky]]
* [[Fairchild AC-119]]
* [[CASA/IPTN CN-235#Variants|ATK AC-235]]
|lists=<!-- relevant lists that this aircraft appears in: -->
* [[List of accidents and incidents involving the Lockheed C-130 Hercules]]
* [[List of active United States military aircraft]]
* [[List of Lockheed aircraft]]
* [[List of military electronics of the United States]]
<!-- See [[WP:Air/PC]] for more explanation of these fields. -->
}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* {{Citation |last= Hobson |first= Chris |title= Vietnam Air Losses: United States Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps Fixed-Wing Aircraft Losses in Southeast Asia, 1961–1973 |place= Hinckley, England, [[United Kingdom | UK]] |publisher= Midland |year= 2001 |isbn= 1-85780-115-6}}

==Further reading==
{{Refbegin}}
* {{Cite book |last=Ballard |first=Jack S. |title= Development and Employment of Fixed-Wing Gunships 1962–1972 |page= 326 |publisher=Office of Air Force History, US Air Force |year=1982|url=https://media.defense.gov/2010/May/26/2001330293/-1/-1/0/AFD-100526-036.pdf|isbn=1-4289-9364-9|access-date=6 April 2009}} (AC-130 refs loaded throughout book)
* {{Cite book |last1=Bonds |first1= Ray |last2= Miller |first2= David |title=The Illustrated Directory of Special Forces |publisher= Zenith Imprint|year=2002|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=B8AbZk-lGJoC&pg=PA426 |isbn=0-7603-1419-5 |access-date=6 April 2009 |pages= 426ff, esp. 480}}
* {{cite book |last=Couvillon |first=Michael |title=Grenada Grinder |year=2011 |publisher=Deeds Publishing |location= Marietta, [[Georgia (U.S. state)|GA]] |isbn= 978-0-9826180-8-0}}
* {{Cite book |last=Head |first= William P. |title= Shadow and Stinger |publisher= Texas A&M University Press |year= 2007 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZE61JC0GwRkC |isbn= 978-1-58544-577-6 |access-date= 6 April 2009 |pages= 28ff, esp. 340}}
* {{Cite book |last=Momyer |first=William W., General (U.S. Air Force, retired) |title=Air Power in Three Wars |publisher= US Government Printing Office |year=1983 |url=https://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/22/2001330043/-1/-1/0/AFD-100922-031.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/22/2001330043/-1/-1/0/AFD-100922-031.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |isbn= 1-4289-8210-8 |access-date=6 April 2009 |pages= 211ff, esp. 358}}
* {{Cite book |last=Mrozek |first=Donald J. |title=Air Power and the Ground War in Vietnam|publisher= The Minerva Group |year=2002 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RYnSgeAweuIC |isbn=0-89875-981-1 |access-date=6 April 2009 |pages= 128ff, esp. 216}}
* {{Cite book |last=Pirnie |first=Bruce |title=Beyond Close Air Support: Forging a New Air-Ground Partnership |publisher= Rand Corp |year= 2005 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=b58S36o0ivsC&pg=PA58 |isbn= 0-8330-3741-2 |access-date=6 April 2009 |pages= 58ff, esp. 188}}
* {{Cite book |last=Veronico |first=Nick |title=21st Century U.S. Air Power |publisher=Zenith Imprint |year= 2004 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3zz3KLbOvYUC&pg=PA75 |isbn=0-7603-2014-4 |access-date= 6 April 2009 |pages= 75ff, esp. 176}}
* {{Cite web |publisher= Project CHECO |via= Scribd |url= https://www.scribd.com/doc/114185246/Fixed-Wing-Gunships-in-Southeast-Asia |title=Contemporary Historical Evaluation of Combat Operations: Fixed Wing Gunships in Southeast Asia |access-date= 22 November 2012}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Lockheed AC-130 Spectre}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070127200630/http://www.spectre-association.org/history/historySpectre.htm "Gunship History"], Spectre Association.
* [https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7608428 "Powerful Gunships Prowl Iraq, and Limits Show"] on NPR from ''[[All Things Considered]]''.
* {{Cite video |people= U.S. Air Force |year= 2002 |title= AC-130 Attack video with explicit kills (thermal imagery from targeting camera) |url= https://archive.org/details/AC-130_Gunship_Ops_in_Afghanistan_HighResolution |publisher= [[Internet Archive]] |access-date= 3 April 2009 |time= 9 minutes |medium= 160 MB}}
* {{cite magazine|url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/0709gunship/|last=Kreisher|first=Otto|date=July 2009|volume=92|issue=7|magazine=[[Air & Space Forces Magazine]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250930004614/https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/0709gunship/|archive-date=30 September 2025|url-status=live|access-date=6 July 2009|title=Gunship Worries}}
*[https://www.scribd.com/doc/71361100 (1977) T.O. 1C-130(A)A-1 Flight Manual USAF Series AC-130A Airplane (Part 1)]{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot= InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}, [https://www.scribd.com/doc/71362234 (Part 2)]{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}

{{Lockheed Hercules}}
{{Lockheed Martin aircraft}}
{{USAF attack aircraft}}
{{USAF transports}}
{{PAVE US}}
{{USAF system codes}}

[[Category:Lockheed aircraft|C-130, A]]
[[Category:Lockheed Martin aircraft|C-130, A]]
[[Category:1960s United States attack aircraft]]
[[Category:Four-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:High-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Four-engined turboprop aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft artillery]]
[[Category:Gunships]]
[[Category:Lockheed C-130 Hercules| ]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1966]]
[[Category:Military equipment of the Vietnam War]]
[[Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear]]