The Lockheed C-130 transport airplane was originally developed as a short-range assault transport for the Tactical Air Command in 1951. The new cargo plane, delivered to the 463rd Troop Carrier Wing in 1956, became an immediate hit with the crews. The "herky bird," as it was called, was powered by four AllisonT- 56-A-9 turboprop engines giving a top speed of 385 mph and the ability to carry 31,200 lbs of cargo.

Throughout the years the aircraft has shown its versatility by easily adapting to many changes and modifications. There has been a drone command version (DC-130) weather version (WC-130), and a version that can pluck a space capsule out of the air as it descends to earth (JHC-130). However, undoubtedly the most glamorous version has been the AC-130 spectre gunship.

The gunship idea was developed during the Second World War, when US Army Ai Corps pilots flying Douglas A-20 Havoc decided that the aircraft would be more efficient if it was armed with multiple machine guns instead of bombs. The crews quickly modified the aircraft, adding eight, ten, and sometimes twelve forward firing M2 .50 caliber machine guns to the airplane. The effect: of this added firepower were devastating to Japanese shipping. Other modified versions soon followed.

The idea took a different turn in Vietnam Troops needed air support over isolated base at night and asked the Air Force for help. The pilots and crews selected several old Douglas C- 47s, added machine guns, and filled the transports with ammunition. This ability to linger over a target and fire tremendous amounts of munitions at the enemy appeared to be a good utilization of time and energy. The idea was soon adapted to the Fairchild C-119 and then to the C-130.

Two versions of the AC-130 gunship are currently in use. The AC-130A1s armed with two fixed 20mm vulcan cannons, two fixed 40mm cannon, and two 7.62mm miniguns. The ship also has full range of fire control navigation, communications, and sensor equipment. Although there are ten AC 130As in the fleet, the use of the aging air frame is causing maintenance problems.

The newer version is the AC-130H is equipped with two fixed 20mm vulcan cannons, two trainable 40mm cannons, and a trainable 105mm cannon. In addition to it full range of navigation and communication equipment, the aircraft is furnished with digital fire control computer, electro-optico sensors, forward-looking infrared systems, and a low light level television. There are currently eight in the inventory.

Beginning this year, the AC-130U, an even newer version, will arrive. It will be equipped with a trainable 25mm, 40mm, and 105mm cannon, all of which are connected to the APQ-18 digital fire control radar. The airplane will be outfitted with all the sensors and communications gear available on the previous model, plus a new all-weather alllight- level television. Somewhere between ten and twenty of the new gunships will be built. As they arrive, the C-130As will be retired, and the C-130Hs will be sent to the I Reserves.

Battle Briefs

Marine Recon 1995
AC 130 Spectre Gunship
The River of Death: The Battle of Munda 45BC
Munda Ancients Scenario