AC-130H Spectre Gunship | Weapons | Ambush in Mogadishu | FRONTLINE

The primary purpose of the AC-130 Gunship is to provide close air support and armed reconnaissance. The aircraft is heavily armed with side-firing weapons that use sensor, navigation and fire control systems. These sensor allow night time firing with low-level television and infrared sensors. Navigational, Radar, Global Positioning Systems also play key roles in the precise fire power this ship contains. All these sophisticated systems not only allow for precise day and night time firing, but also in adverse weather conditions.

The AC130 was not in Mogadishu. Read Mike Kurth's reaction to this.

		Power Plant: Four Allison turboprop engines T56-A-15 Thrust: Each engine 4,910 horsepower Length: 97 feet, 9 inches (29.8 meters) Height: 38 feet, 6 inches (11.7 meters) Wingspan: 132 feet, 7 inches (40.4 meters) Range: 1,500 statute miles (1,300 nautical miles). Ceiling: 25,000 feet (7,576 meters) Speed: 300 mpg (Mach 0.40)(at sea level) Armament: Two 20 mm Vulcan cannons with 3,000 rounds, one 40mm Bofors cannon with 256 rounds and one 105mm howitzer with 100 rounds.

Source(s): Department of The Air Force; Lockheed Aircraft Corp.

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