Posted on 10/16/2001 2:24:41 PM PDT by kattracks
WASHINGTON (AP) - The slow-moving but deadly AC-130 gunship was chosen for the battle in Afghanistan because of its pinpoint accuracy and its psychological impact, a top general said Tuesday.
"The AC-130 gunship is an excellent platform to use in this environment," said Marine Lt. Gen. Gregory Newbold. The three-star general, director of operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, briefed reporters Tuesday at the Pentagon.
Since the AC-130s are low-flying and noisy, they can instill fear in the enemy, Newbold said. "It has psychological impact."
The lumbering aircraft can loiter at low altitude over a target and unload withering fire from side-mounted guns. The latest models tout specialized radars for long-range target detection and satellite-guided navigation systems.
Such capabilities are crucial when hitting targets amid civilian populations in urban environments. But the AC-130's size and relative pokiness make it an easy target for anti-aircraft fire.
Previous raids had targeted air defense facilities with the aim of making the skies safe for aircraft like the AC-130, and it flies with escort aircraft that help protect it from ground fire.
Newbold said two AC-130s were used on Monday, but he declined to specify their exact mission, saying only that it was successful.
A U.S. defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the gunship hit Taliban military barracks and headquarters buildings at a base in Kandahar.
The official indicated that the four-engine gunship would probably see action against other targets as well.
The plane has a range of approximately 1,400 miles, but it can be refueled in the air for a nearly unlimited range, the Air Force said.
The Air Force's 16th Special Operations Wing, based at Hurlburt Field, Fla., flies the AC-130H "Spectre" gunship as well as a newer version, the AC-130U dubbed "Spooky." The Pentagon declined to identify exactly which units were involved in Monday's Afghanistan mission.
Powered by four turboprop engines, the aircraft is nearly 98 feet long and has a wingspan of 132 feet, seven inches. It has a cruising speed of about 300 mph.
The Spectre carries a 105mm howitzer cannon and a Bofors 40mm cannon, as well as two 20mm Vulcan Gatling cannons.
Depending on its mission, the aircraft carries a crew of up to 14, composed of pilots, navigators, engineers and gunners.
Sensors on board the aircraft give it night-operation capability. It has infrared target-seeking equipment, a low-light-level television camera and laser target designators.
The latest versions of the AC-130U are outfitted with radar to detect targets at long range, as well as satellite-guided navigation systems.
The AC-130 gunships are derived from the well-known C-130 "Hercules" transport that has taken on a wide variety of roles since World War II.
The AC-130 first saw service in Vietnam, but more recently has been outfitted to support Special Operations units in night-flying attack missions.
During Operation Just Cause in Panama in 1989, the gunships were used against Gen. Manuel Noriega's troops on the ground and against the headquarters of the Panamanian Defense Forces, the Air Force said.
In Desert Storm, AC-130s were used to defend air bases and ground forces. In 1991, an AC-130 was shot down off the Kuwaiti coast and all 14 on board were lost.
--
They supposedly had a hundred of them. They either have shot them, we blew up where they were stored, or they don't work. I would say we have pretty good intelligence on the ground to know it would be safe to use these.
This baby is frightening weapon. They say a cigarette pack in the target area will be hit at least twice. If we used it, there are likley a large number of dead bodies.
I rather think it's a 105mm gun.
And Puff the Magic Dragon was a converted C-47; the AC-130s were, IIRC, purpose-built (at least the AC-130Us are).
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.