Has a AC-130 been shot down?
Commonly known as the last AC-130 gunship shot down in combat, Spirit 03 is a story of heroes, harrowing combat and sacrifice. According to the Air Force Special Operations Command history office, the Iraqi army planned to invade Khafji, Saudi Arabia at the end of January, 1991, during Operation Desert Storm.
How many C-130 shot down?
More than 15 percent of the approximately 2,350 Lockheed C-130 Hercules production hulls have been lost, including 70 by the US Air Force and the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.
How high does an AC-130 shoot from?
28,000 ft
The J-variant is lighter and more fuel efficient than previous versions, able to fly at 416 mph (669 km/h) with a range of 3,000 mi (4,800 km) and service ceiling of 28,000 ft (8,500 m). The AC-130U returned from its final combat deployment on 8 July 2019; the final AC-130U was retired in August 2019.
Who fires the guns on an AC-130?
Today, AC-130 weapons fire and targeting is done primarily at the hand of the Combat Systems Officer sitting in the back of the aircraft at a control station that feeds them critical data from the aircraft’s sensors and weapons.
How many C-130 does the Philippines have?
Aircraft
| Aircraft | Origin | In service |
|---|---|---|
| Combat Aircraft | ||
| PTDI NC-212 | Indonesia | 2 |
| CASA C-295 | Spain | 5 |
| C-130 Hercules | United States | 4 |
Was the AC-130 used in Vietnam?
They were used in Vietnam from 1962-1970. Beginning in 1965, the C-130 Hercules with its four turbo-prop engines, superior 15-ton payload, and its ability to rapidly offload palletized cargo dominated airlift operations in Vietnam. As ground combat increased, so did airlift requirements.
Can you launch a Hercules from an aircraft carrier?
From the accumulated test data, the Navy concluded that with the C-130 Hercules, it would be possible to lift 25,000 pounds of cargo 2,500 miles and land it on a carrier. Even so, the idea was considered a bit too risky for the C-130 and the Navy elected to use a smaller COD aircraft.
Does the AC-130 have guns on both sides?
“Most” of the guns on an AC-130 are not on one side, all of them are.