The AC-130 was created with the C-130 hercules transport plane, which is a heavily armed ground attack gunship. LockHeed AC/130 Gunship was created in the US under Lockheed Martin which was developed by the US Air Force. It took its first flight in 1996 during the time of the Vietnam War era and its latest variant, the AC-130, was created in 2017 which is the AC-130J ghostrider. The main purpose behind its launch is to protect ground troops with the help of close air support. AC-130 Lockheed Gunship Weapon is capable of destroying the enemy supply lines of the opponent with air interdiction. This is mainly used by the United States special operations command, special ops control. You should know that the Lockheed AC-130 Unit Cost In 2025 is $190 Million.
The AC-130 is also capable of night operations and dominates the field of nighttime combat. It fires downwards while creating a circle at the target to be destroyed. It consists of advanced sensor systems with infrared, targeting system and radar. It can easily stay for hours loitering around with long endurance in the enemy field. The gunship has a range of 3,540 Km with a speed of 480 Km/h and accommodates a capacity of 12 crew members. Which carries gunners, pilots and sensor operations for combat. It is used in Iraq, Vietnam, Afghanistan and counter terror ops with overwhelming firepower and precise delivery.
LockHeed AC/130 Gunship
The AC-130 is known for having an operational range starting at 3,540 kilometers with a unit cost of $190 million. Its main feature is side firing of 105mm howitzers and 40mm cannons along with hellfire precision strikes. LockHeed AC/130 Gunship advanced features include night vision, radars and infrared sensors for night combat. It also provides close air support with hours of loitering for ground protection from the opponent. It’s electrical warfare and an armored fuselage enhances the chances of survival in war zones. It was mainly used in the US special operations command which is a fearsome force multiplier in modern warfare.
AC-130 Lockheed Gunship Weapon
| About | AC-130 Lockheed Gunship Weapon |
| Country | USA |
| Authority | US Military |
| Key feature | Heavily armed around attack gunship |
| Developed by | US Air force |
| First use | 1996 vietnam war |
| Range | 3,540 km |
| Speed | 480 km/h |
| Crew members capacity | 12 |
| Category | News |
| Unit cost | $190 million |
Key Features Of The US AC-130 Gunship
Following are the Key Features Of The US AC-130 Gunship.
- AC-130 is the long endurance variant of the C-130 Hercules aircraft which is specially designed for ground attack.
- It is specially known for its side array of ground attacks along with howitzers and cannons.
- It was first used in the vietnam war in 1996 and has a range of 3,540 km with 480 km/h speed.
- It is operated under the US Air force mainly for force Protection, interdiction and close air Protection.
- It can also be used at night with radar and night vision which provides accurate pinpoint fire.
- It is highly effective for ground targets and permissive air environments.
Lockheed AC-130 Unit Cost In 2025
- AC-130 is one of the most expensive aircrafts and the overall cost of it is according to the model.
- AC-130H was priced at $134 million and Lockheed AC-130 Unit Cost In 2025 is of $190 million.
- Meanwhile the latest AC-130J from 2017 was priced at $165 million.
AC-130 Range
- The AC-130 Range is specifically designed as per the model of the aircraft.
- For example, the latest variant AC-130 ghostrider has a range of 3,000 miles for long distance.
- Similarly old models of the aircraft like 130H and 130 U have a range of 2,400 km.
FAQs For AC-130 Lockheed Gunship
The Unit cost of the aircraft starts from $190 million.
Similarly old models of the aircraft like 130H and 130 U have a range of 2,400 km.
It took its first flight in 1996 during the time of the Vietnam War era.