Galerie de photos d’un Lockheed AC-130A Spectre,
The Lockheed AC-130 gunship is a heavily armed, long-endurance ground-attack variant of the C-130 Hercules transport fixed-wing aircraft. It carries a wide array of anti-ground oriented weapons that are integrated with sophisticated sensors, navigation, and fire-control systems. Unlike other military fixed-wing aircraft, the AC-130 relies on visual targeting. Because its large profile and low operating altitudes (around 7,000 ft) make it an easy target, it usually flies close air support missions at night.
Lla Lockheed AC-130A Spectrewas 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.
L’AC-130A Spectre avait un équipage de 13 personnes, dont cinq officiers et huit membres du personnel enrôlé. Il était armé de quatre miniguns, de quatre canons M61 Vulcan de 20 mm et de deux canons Bofors de 40 mm. Il utilisait divers capteurs, un système d’acquisition de cibles et des systèmes de télévision infrarouge et à faible luminosité pour localiser et engager les cibles la nuit.
L’AC-130A Spectre a été largement utilisé pendant la guerre du Vietnam, où il a fourni un appui-feu aux troupes au sol, escorté des convois et mené des missions d’interdiction. Il a également participé à l’opération Urgent Fury à la Grenade, à l’opération Just Cause au Panama et à l’opération Tempête du désert en Irak.
Lla AC-130A Spectrewas 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.