The Lockheed AC-130 is one of the most well-known military aircraft in the world, but have you
ever wondered just what it’s capable of?
Join us in this video as we explore some of the shocking statistics about this powerful
airborne machine.
The AC-130 is an integral part of the US military and its history, because it has taken part
in most major battles and wars since its introduction in the late 1960s, but it has been subject
to constant change since then.
It was built to replace the Douglas AC-47, which itself was a modified C-47 with guns
added to it that fired out of the windows and doors.
Because of its success, it went on to inspire the development of other armed aircraft and
purpose-built gunships, one of which being the AC-130.
Ultimately, the AC-130 is a heavily armed ground-attack variant of the C-130 Hercules,
which was a troop, medevac and cargo transport aircraft used by the military.
Its purpose as a long-endurance aircraft makes it perfect for carrying out missions in many
situations that it can find itself in.
Its airframe is manufactured by American aerospace company Lockheed Martin, but in charge of
its conversion to a gunship is a much more familiar, household name: Boeing.
It was conceived in 1967, and some of the key equipment included a direct-view night-vision
telescope which was fitted in the forward door, and an early example of a forward-looking
infrared device that was placed in the forward part of the left wheel well.
It also featured a purpose-built analogue fire control computer, devised by an RAF wing
commander.
In 1968, seven further examples went on to be converted into a ‘Plain Jane’, ‘bread-and-butter’
format.
One of these received what has been referred to as the ‘Surprise Package’ in 1969,
which featured 20mm rotary autocannons and 40mm Bofors cannons.
It’s estimated that today’s examples are worth around $165 million in build costs and
equipment value.
In the following years, and indeed decades, various refits and conversions were implemented
to keep the planes as current as possible, as well as in response to the acquisition
of further aircraft.
In 2007, the Air Force Special Operations Command had planned to replace the cannons
with two 30mm Mk 44 Bushmaster II cannons and even began the work on four gunships before
backing out of the plan and installing the original cannons.
This was supposedly due to the Bushmaster’s inaccuracy in tests carried out by the Air
Force, particularly from high altitudes.
A few years later, 2010 saw L-3 Communications awarded with a $61 million contract to add
precision strike packages to eight planes, giving them the capabilities of gunships.
The following year, in 2011, $1.6 billion of funding was requested to acquire 16 new
planes, in the hope that they could retire eight aged examples, but this was later declined.
That’s enough of its history; but what if the AC-130 were to play a game of Top Trumps?
Here are its credentials:
The aircraft runs with a large crew of 13, made up of the pilot, co-pilot and navigator.
These work alongside the fire control officer, electronic warfare officer, flight engineer,
TV operator, infrared detection set operator, loadmaster, and no fewer than four aerial
gunners.
It measures 29.8 metres in length and 11.7 metres in height.
Its 40.4-metre wingspan has an area of 162.2 m2, while its maximum takeoff weight is 70.3
tonnes.
Power comes from a choice of two sets of engines depending on the model: either four Allison
T56-A-15 turboprop engines - each coming in at 4,300 horsepower each - or four Rolls-Royce
AE2100D3 with 4,700 horsepower each.
These allow it to have a maximum speed of 260 knots (around 300 mph), while its range
is around 2,200 nautical miles (or 2,500 miles), about the distance between New York and Los
Angeles.
Its service ceiling is 12,000 metres, but this isn’t where it’s built to operate.
Instead, the AC-130’s unique selling point is its ability to fly in circles around a
target, which allows it to attack for longer.
Capable of pulling off this move, known as a pylon turn, for hours, its versatility comes
somewhere between a larger aeroplane and a helicopter.
Its weaponry is mounted on the port, or left, side, so that it can carry out attacks specifically
in this pylon turn manoeuvre.
Maybe unsurprisingly, although not something that our mind would go to first, is that the
AC-130 is unable to fire all ammunition at once.
This is simply due to the vast amount of recoil that it would suffer.
With all weaponry heading to the port side, it would push the plane’s direction to the
starboard side, compromising its attack and pushing it out of its pylon turn.
Second to this is its ability to use unprepared runways, both for takeoff and landing, which
is particularly useful not just in desolate areas, but equally in the need to quickly
refuel or gather more weapons in the midst of a war.
While today’s armament is different to what first appeared in early models, it includes
miniguns, rotary cannons, autocannons, regular cannons, howitzers and even missiles.
But despite its incredible, almost unperceivable power, its days are limited.
Its high signatures and low airspeeds mean that there are plenty of newer, more sophisticated
models that can outperform it.
With a history of more than half a century, it’s unlikely that this aircraft will survive
going forward.
But all good things must come to an end, and while its obsolescence has not been confirmed,
nor can we put a date on it, it’s not too early to celebrate its incredible achievements,
and the astonishing workmanship that went into creating each and every single example
of the AC-130.
What do you think of the AC-130?
How does it compare to other military aircraft of its time, or are you sad to hear that its
days are limited?
Let us know in the comments section below, along with your favourite topics: we may just
cover them!