Lockheed AC-130A Spectre
The success of the AC-47 Spooky COIN aircraft in Vietnam led to consideration given to an upgraded version in a larger, newer aircraft—the AC-47s already approaching 30 years old during the war. The C-130 was the natural choice, and in 1967 a JC-130A testbed was modified as a gunship. It was initially given the callsign Super Spooky, but later changed to Spectre. After successful operational trials over both South Vietnam and the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos, several more C-130As and C-130Es were modified to Project Spectre standard, mounting four GAU-2/A 7.62mm Minigun gatling cannons and four M61A1 Vulcan 20mm gatling cannons. A few were in turn modified by removing two of the Vulcans in favor of two Bofors 40mm cannon for use against armored targets under Project Surprise Package.
Besides their heavy weaponry, the AC-130s also had a comphrensive electronics suite, consisting of night vision equipment, FLIR, improved avionics and navigation equipment, and a digital fire-control system. In addition, AC-130s also carried a modified MAD sensor called Black Crow, which allowed the gunships to detect spark plugs used by North Vietnamese trucks. Following the end of the Vietnam War, the USAF retired all other gunship designs but kept the AC-130 in service, standardizing them as the AC-130H with two Vulcans, a single Bofors, and a M102 105mm howitzer, as the gatlings and the 40mm cannon had proven inadequate against hardened targets (such as tanks) or area attacks.
This proved to be a prescient choice, as AC-130s have seen service in every war fought by the United States since Vietnam: Grenada, Panama, both Gulf Wars, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Libya. During the Panama operation, Spectre crews successfully decapitated Panamanian Defense Force leadership by destroying the PDF’s headquarters, while they were instrumental in stopping an Iraqi armored column during the Battle of Khafji. In Afghanistan in 2001, AC-130s were the first USAF aircraft to see action, and proved so devastating in their first combat, the Battle of Konduz, that the city fell the next day to Northern Alliance forces without a shot.
The Spectre has been continually improved, and current USAF units use AC-130H/U variants. The AC-130U deletes the two Vulcans in favor of a single trainable GAU-12/A Equalizer 25mm gatling cannon, and has a much more advanced sensor suite over the H model. The “U-Boats” use an APQ-180 synthetic aperature radar and GPS-guided fire control, and can attack two targets simutaneously with twice the ammunition storage of the AC-130H.
The effect of the AC-130 in any form is devastating; no camp or unit defended by Spectres has ever been overrun by an enemy force. The guns of a Spectre can place a bullet on every square foot of a football field every second until the ammunition runs out. The only real weakness of the AC-130 is its vulnerability to ground fire, though most threats to the Spectre from light antiaircraft fire are usually eliminated quickly, while heavier flak can be defeated by escorts. Spectres carry a range of powerful ECM and countermeasures against SAMs, but aside from shoulder-fired SAMs, AC-130s rarely operate in such a high-threat environment and never in areas where enemy fighters could intercept them. Currently, the USAF has a single wing of AC-130s, with AC-130Hs being slated for retirement soon, while the AC-130U will serve for some years to come.
Built as the 10th C-130A, 54-1623 began its career with the 314th Troop Carrier Wing at Little Rock AFB, Arkansas in 1957, but in 1960 it was redesignated as a JC-130A testbed and used in various duties at Edwards AFB, California. In 1968, it was converted to an AC-130A and joined the 16th Special Operations Squadron at Ubon RTAFB, Thailand for operations over the Ho Chi Minh Trail, and named "Ghost Rider." While operating over the Trail, it was hit five times by ground fire and flew over 4300 combat hours.
"Ghost Rider" returned home in 1974 and was assigned to the 919th SOG (Air Force Reserve) at Duke Field, Florida. As an older A-model, it was moved to the Reserves as more advanced AC-130Hs took over active duty roles. This did not mean that "Ghost Rider" was done yet, however: it had one last ride. In February 1991, it was deployed to King Fahd Airport in Saudi Arabia to operate against Iraqi forces in Operation Desert Storm, and was one of three 919th AC-130s sent to attack the Kuwait-Basra Road--the so-called "Highway of Death."
After its second war, "Ghost Rider" returned home, and in 1995 was retired. Since it was, by that time, one of the oldest C-130s in service, it was returned to Lockheed to be displayed as a gate guard at Dobbins ARB, Georgia, home of Lockheed's C-130 plant. In 2013, it was moved to its present location at the Marietta Museum of History's airpark on the northwest side of Dobbins.
While acting as a gate guard, 54-1623 retained its overall gunship gray scheme worn at the end of its career, but after being moved to the airpark, it was beautifully restored to its Vietnam appearance, in overall matte black and full-color nose art. The Spectre emblem is carried on most AC-130s, but looks especially good on "Ghost Rider." 54-1623 had also been retrofitted with four-bladed propellers after its Vietnam service, but was restored with the earlier A-model three-blade props went it went on display.
Lockheed AC-130A Spectre
The success of the AC-47 Spooky COIN aircraft in Vietnam led to consideration given to an upgraded version in a larger, newer aircraft—the AC-47s already approaching 30 years old during the war. The C-130 was the natural choice, and in 1967 a JC-130A testbed was modified as a gunship. It was initially given the callsign Super Spooky, but later changed to Spectre. After successful operational trials over both South Vietnam and the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos, several more C-130As and C-130Es were modified to Project Spectre standard, mounting four GAU-2/A 7.62mm Minigun gatling cannons and four M61A1 Vulcan 20mm gatling cannons. A few were in turn modified by removing two of the Vulcans in favor of two Bofors 40mm cannon for use against armored targets under Project Surprise Package.
Besides their heavy weaponry, the AC-130s also had a comphrensive electronics suite, consisting of night vision equipment, FLIR, improved avionics and navigation equipment, and a digital fire-control system. In addition, AC-130s also carried a modified MAD sensor called Black Crow, which allowed the gunships to detect spark plugs used by North Vietnamese trucks. Following the end of the Vietnam War, the USAF retired all other gunship designs but kept the AC-130 in service, standardizing them as the AC-130H with two Vulcans, a single Bofors, and a M102 105mm howitzer, as the gatlings and the 40mm cannon had proven inadequate against hardened targets (such as tanks) or area attacks.
This proved to be a prescient choice, as AC-130s have seen service in every war fought by the United States since Vietnam: Grenada, Panama, both Gulf Wars, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Libya. During the Panama operation, Spectre crews successfully decapitated Panamanian Defense Force leadership by destroying the PDF’s headquarters, while they were instrumental in stopping an Iraqi armored column during the Battle of Khafji. In Afghanistan in 2001, AC-130s were the first USAF aircraft to see action, and proved so devastating in their first combat, the Battle of Konduz, that the city fell the next day to Northern Alliance forces without a shot.
The Spectre has been continually improved, and current USAF units use AC-130H/U variants. The AC-130U deletes the two Vulcans in favor of a single trainable GAU-12/A Equalizer 25mm gatling cannon, and has a much more advanced sensor suite over the H model. The “U-Boats” use an APQ-180 synthetic aperature radar and GPS-guided fire control, and can attack two targets simutaneously with twice the ammunition storage of the AC-130H.
The effect of the AC-130 in any form is devastating; no camp or unit defended by Spectres has ever been overrun by an enemy force. The guns of a Spectre can place a bullet on every square foot of a football field every second until the ammunition runs out. The only real weakness of the AC-130 is its vulnerability to ground fire, though most threats to the Spectre from light antiaircraft fire are usually eliminated quickly, while heavier flak can be defeated by escorts. Spectres carry a range of powerful ECM and countermeasures against SAMs, but aside from shoulder-fired SAMs, AC-130s rarely operate in such a high-threat environment and never in areas where enemy fighters could intercept them. Currently, the USAF has a single wing of AC-130s, with AC-130Hs being slated for retirement soon, while the AC-130U will serve for some years to come.
Built as the 10th C-130A, 54-1623 began its career with the 314th Troop Carrier Wing at Little Rock AFB, Arkansas in 1957, but in 1960 it was redesignated as a JC-130A testbed and used in various duties at Edwards AFB, California. In 1968, it was converted to an AC-130A and joined the 16th Special Operations Squadron at Ubon RTAFB, Thailand for operations over the Ho Chi Minh Trail, and named "Ghost Rider." While operating over the Trail, it was hit five times by ground fire and flew over 4300 combat hours.
"Ghost Rider" returned home in 1974 and was assigned to the 919th SOG (Air Force Reserve) at Duke Field, Florida. As an older A-model, it was moved to the Reserves as more advanced AC-130Hs took over active duty roles. This did not mean that "Ghost Rider" was done yet, however: it had one last ride. In February 1991, it was deployed to King Fahd Airport in Saudi Arabia to operate against Iraqi forces in Operation Desert Storm, and was one of three 919th AC-130s sent to attack the Kuwait-Basra Road--the so-called "Highway of Death."
After its second war, "Ghost Rider" returned home, and in 1995 was retired. Since it was, by that time, one of the oldest C-130s in service, it was returned to Lockheed to be displayed as a gate guard at Dobbins ARB, Georgia, home of Lockheed's C-130 plant. In 2013, it was moved to its present location at the Marietta Museum of History's airpark on the northwest side of Dobbins.
While acting as a gate guard, 54-1623 retained its overall gunship gray scheme worn at the end of its career, but after being moved to the airpark, it was beautifully restored to its Vietnam appearance, in overall matte black and full-color nose art. The Spectre emblem is carried on most AC-130s, but looks especially good on "Ghost Rider." 54-1623 had also been retrofitted with four-bladed propellers after its Vietnam service, but was restored with the earlier A-model three-blade props went it went on display.