Unlike other modern military fixed-wing aircraft, the AC-130 relies on visual targeting. Since its large profile and low operating altitudes around 7,000 feet (2,100 m) make it an easy target, its close air support missions are usually flown at night. [7]

The AC-130A Spectre is a C-130 converted to a gunship, primarily for night attacks against ground targets. To enhance its armament's effectiveness, it used various sensors, a target acquisition system, and infrared and low-light television systems.

The AC-130A Spectre is a C-130 that was converted to a side-firing gunship, primarily for night attacks against ground troops. The AC-130A was equipped with two 40mm cannons, two 20mm Vulcan cannons and two 7.62mm miniguns.

The AC-130 Spectre gunship in the Air Park is an AC-130A model named the "Ultimate End." The A-model gunship was the first AC-130 model. The aircraft is 97 feet 9 inches long and 38 feet 3 inches tall. It has a wingspan of 132 feet 7 inches and a wing area of 1,745 sq. feet.

AC-130A's had four 20 MM Vulcans & four 7.62 miniguns. The Unit lost 6 aircraft from 1969 until the end of the war. The mission Charlie flew on March 27, 1969 was in Gunship # 53-3129 which is known as the "First Lady" as it was the first production Lockheed C-130 accepted by the USAF.

AC-130s suppressed enemy air defense systems and attacked ground forces during Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada. This enabled the successful assault of Point Saline’s airfield via airdrop and air land of friendly forces.

The AC-130A Spectre, a heavily armed ground attack aircraft, is one of more than 70 versions of the propeller-driven C-130 Hercules built by Lockheed in Marietta, GA. Other variants include transport, refueling, weather data, command, electronic warfare, firefighting, and …

This AC-130A was modified at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, as the prototype for the gunship version and was initially equipped with four 20mm and four 7.62mm multi-barrel guns, a searchlight and target sensors.

“Black Crow” sensor on Thor, an AC-130A. This sensor detected and tracked vehicles by the electrical impulses of their spark plugs. Thor was shot down by antiaircraft fire in December 1972, with the loss of 14 members of its 16 crew.

The AC-130A Spectre is a C-130 converted to a gunship, primarily for night attacks against ground targets. To enhance its armament's effectiveness, it used various sensors, a target acquisition system, and infrared and low-light television systems.