Lockheed AC-130A Spectre – Photos & Video

The Lockheed AC-130A Spectre was a ground-attack aircraft and close air support gunship for special operations teams. It was a variant of the C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, manufactured by Lockheed and converted by Boeing. It first flew in 1967 and entered service in 1968. It was retired in 1995.
The AC-130A Spectre had a crew of 13, including five officers and eight enlisted personnel. It was armed with four miniguns, four 20 mm M61 Vulcan cannons, and two 40 mm Bofors cannons. It used various sensors, a target acquisition system, and infrared and low-light television systems to locate and engage targets at night.
The AC-130A Spectre was used extensively during the Vietnam War, where it provided fire support for ground troops, escorted convoys, and conducted interdiction missions. It also saw action in Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada, Operation Just Cause in Panama, and Operation Desert Storm in Iraq.
The AC-130A Spectre was replaced by newer variants of the AC-130 gunship, such as the AC-130H Spectre, the AC-130U Spooky, the AC-130W Stinger II, and the AC-130J Ghostrider. These variants have improved weapons, sensors, and fire-control systems, as well as increased survivability and endurance.