AC-130H Spectre

The AC-130H Spectre gunship's primary missions are close air support, air interdiction and armed reconnaissance. Other missions include perimeter and point defense, escort, landing, drop and extraction zone support, forward air control, limited command and control, and combat search and rescue. These heavily armed aircraft incorporate side-firing weapons integrated with sophisticated sensor, navigation and fire control systems to provide surgical firepower or area saturation during extended periods, at night and in adverse weather. The sensor suite consists of a low-light-level television sensor and an infrared sensor. Radar and electronic sensors also give the gunship a method of positively identifying friendly ground forces as well as effective ordnance delivery during adverse weather conditions. Navigational devices include an inertial navigation system and global positioning system.

Robins C-130 team reaching accelerated goals

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The C-130 production branch at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., was asked by Air Force Special Operations Command officials to accelerate work on four aircraft and get them back to the warfighter. The four aircraft include one AC-130H gunship and three MC-130 Combat Talon IIs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sue Sapp)