#AC 130 SPECTRE FIRING SERIAL#
#AC 130 SPECTRE FIRING SERIES#

The next series of tests evaluated the aircraft's interdiction capabilities primarily against enemy supply trucks operating on the Ho Chi Minh trail in the Tiger Hound (southeast quadrant of the panhandle) area of responsibility in Laos. Close Air Support was a critical mission since support of Troops In Contact always took precedence over other gunship missions. The initial tests of the Gunship II involved Close Air Support in the southern region of South Vietnam in the Mekong river delta area. The prototype was flown to Nha Trang Air Base, South Vietnam arriving on 21 September 1967, for a 90-day test program. Testing and additional modifications were done throughout the summer of 1967, ending in September 1967.īy early September 1967, the aircraft was certified ready for combat testing. Flight testing of the prototype was done primarily at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, and began on 6 June 1967. The modifications were done in April and May 1967 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, by the USAF's Aeronautical Systems Division.

#AC 130 SPECTRE FIRING SERIAL#

Developed as part of Project Gunship II to find a more capable gunship based on the concept proven by the AC-47D, on 26 February 1967, the first aircraft (JC-130A, serial 54-1626) was selected for conversion into the prototype AC-130 gunship. The C-130 gunship was a new weapon system in an old airframe. These sensors were standard equipment for AC-130A gunships operating in Southeast Asia through 1970. In addition, the AN/AWG-13 analog computer allowed the firing solutions to be linked the information provided by the FLIR, NOD, and beacon tracking radars. The AC-130A had long range navigation (LORAN) equipment (AN/ARN-92C or -92D), beacon tracking radar (AN/APQ-133), forward looking infrared (FLIR), and a night observation device (NOD AN/AVG-2). The AC-47D had relied on flares for illumination of targets and had no sophisticated navigation equipment. In addition, the AC-130A carried a more technologically advanced sensor suite, allowing it to more effectively engage targets. The AC-47D was equipped with a total of 3 7.62mm GAU-2B/A 'Miniguns.' The first of the AC-130A carried 4 GAU-2B/A and 4 M61A1 20mm cannons. Also, the large C-130 could carry more ammunition for its heavier weapons. Having the guns below the wings eliminated the basic problem of the AC-47D. The first gunship, the AC-47D, with low wings, reduced its field of fire.

The high-wing design of the aircraft and its large capacity made it especially suited as a gunship. However, with the aerial refueling modification, the range for the later model gunships was only limited by crew endurance. Initially, the C-130 had a maximum speed of 384 miles per hour and an unrefueled range of 2,450 miles with maximum load. It has a wingspan of 132 feet 7 inches and a wing area of 1,745 square feet. The aircraft is 97 feet 9 inches long and 38 feet 3 inches tall. The A-model gunship was the first AC-130 model.

Ac 130 spectre firing