For that reason, Joint Terminal Air Controllers (JTACs) have a sweet spot for rotary-wing aircraft, such as the AH-64 Apache or AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters, and for the AC-130 gunship which can stay on station for many hours because of its ability to refuel mid-air. When it comes to close air support, the more an aircraft can loiter and stay on station, the better. The most modern AC-130s have a top speed of more than 415 miles per hour and a range of about 3,000 miles plus the ability to refuel mid-air. The powerful sensors of the AC-130 gunship make the aircraft a great intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platform (). Related: The plans to turn a B-1 Lancer into a gun ship
Most importantly, it was the most fun to load, lock, shoot, and unload.” It has a psychological effectiveness as well as a physical effectiveness. There are many different capabilities the 105mm rounds have with providing ground troops with the maximum amount of enemy damage. “Newer models and weapon systems have been developed since my separation… but my answer would be the 105mm, which is still active to this day.
During my experience with the AC-130U, I only have had the pleasure to know the 25mm GAU, 40mm Bofors, and the 105mm Howitzer,” said a former AC-130 gunner who spoke to Sandboxx News under the pseudonym, B.A. “This will answer will definitely be my opinion. So, it usually comes down to the operational requirements, and you will often hear “it depends” from current and former AC-130 gunners. With so many weapon systems onboard, it can be tough to choose a favorite. The AC-130J Ghostrider, which is the latest version of the gunship, is armed with 30mm and 105mm cannons and can deploy smart munitions, including the GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb, GBU-69 Small Glide Munition, AGM-114 Hellfire missile, and AGM-176 Griffin missile.
The aircraft’s powerful arsenal and sensors truly make the AC-130 a versatile platform that can dish out a rain of fire one moment, and then send back vital intelligence to troops on the ground the next. An AC-130E dishing out hate over Laos in support of special operations troops during the Vietnam War ().