Galeria de fotos de um Lockheed AC-130A Espectro,
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.
O Lockheed AC-130A Espectrowas 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.
O AC-130A Spectre tinha uma tripulação de 13 pessoas, incluindo cinco oficiais e oito alistados. Ele estava armado com quatro minicanhões, quatro canhões M61 Vulcan de 20 mm e dois canhões Bofors de 40 mm. Ele usou vários sensores, um sistema de aquisição de alvos e sistemas de televisão infravermelha e de baixa luz para localizar e engajar alvos à noite.
O AC-130A Spectre foi usado extensivamente durante a Guerra do Vietnã, onde forneceu apoio de fogo para tropas terrestres, escoltou comboios e conduziu missões de interdição. Também atuou na Operação Fúria Urgente em Granada, na Operação Justa Causa no Panamá e na Operação Tempestade no Deserto no Iraque.
O Espectro AC-130Awas 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.