The AC-130 gunship's primary missions are close air support, air interdiction and force protection. Missions in close air support are troops in contact, convoy escort and urban operations. Air interdiction missions are conducted against preplanned targets or targets of opportunity. Force protection missions include air base defense and facilities defense.

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 loiter periods, at night and in adverse weather. The sensor suite consists of a television sensor, infrared sensor and radar. These sensors allow the gunship to visually or electronically identify friendly ground forces and targets any place, any time. The AC-130U employs synthetic apertures strike radar for long-range target detection and identification. The gunship's navigational devices include the inertial navigation systems and global positioning system. The AC-130U employs the latest technologies and can attack two targets simultaneously.

Pictured here is a 1:144 scale replica of an AC-130H 'Spectre' gunship. Note the weathered finish applied to the surface of the aircraft. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 11-inches

Historical Account: "The Age of Hercules" - Delivered to the United States Air Force in July 1969, the Lockheed Hercules 69-6568 was built as a C-130E transport and served with the 61st Tactical Airlift Squadron at Stewart Air Force Base, Tennessee. In September 1972, it was one of eleven converted to AC-130E gunship status. It joined the 415th Special Operations Training Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Florida and in November 1974 was one of ten upgraded to an AC-130H variant, relinquishing its camouflage for an overall grey paint finish by June 1975. In October 1978, this aircraft was transferred to the 16th Special Operations Squadron and continues in service to date, alongside 13 Hercules further upgraded and designated AC-130U.