Why Nothing Can Kill AC-130 Gunship

These heavily armed aircraft incorporate side-firing weapons integrated with sophisticated sensor, navigation and fire control systems to provide surgical firepower or area saturation during extended loiter periods, at night and in adverse weather. The sensor suite consists of a television sensor, infrared sensor and radar. These sensors allow the gunship to visually or electronically identify friendly ground forces and targets.
The AC-130 is armed with a fearsome array of weaponry, including a 105 mm cannon and 25 or 40 mm gatling guns.

[@bionicsjw]

In Desert Storm an AC-130 was shot down by a SAM and was the largest air crew loss of life during the war. Great as they are, they are vulnerable to SAMS and AAA.

[@donlarocque5157]

Spirit 03?

[@bishalgurung4356]

Cam it be averted by flare ls?

[@MattKearneyFan1]

@@bishalgurung4356 flares can’t fool every missile

[@MattKearneyFan1]

Don’t forget Vietnam where some did get shot down

[@bishalgurung4356]

@@MattKearneyFan1 I know, only heat seakers

[@nguyenthuduc]

"nothing can kill ac 130" Viet cong soldier : are you sure ?

[@huntera123]

They are deadly but definitely vulnerable.

[@Mr.ENJ1]

Especially to NUKES 👀💯😂

[@Coinz8]

​@Mr. ENJ no one is launching nuke to take out a single airplane 🙄🙄🙄🙄

[@patthonsirilim5739]

@@Mr.ENJ1I think he was talking about things like Tunguska or humvee avenger.

[@GlobalDefenceForce_694]

*F L A R E*

[@ihavenolife437]

Fr it’s just a cargo plane with guns on it

[@maxruedy951]

They are great if you have total air superiority and your opponent doesn't have manpads,or you're a sitting duck

[@Woody-nc1ru]

Exactly...

[@tysonpruitt2252]

Man pads aren’t really a huge threat to these. And the US military has put a massive percentage of their budget into the Air Force in order to get air superiority. The US Air Force is the branch of the US military that stands out compared to the rest of the world. There is no country that can compare.

[@theangrycheeto]

​@@tysonpruitt2252why aren't MANPADS a threat?

[@StrelitziaLiveries]

Manpads are pretty managable, have you seen how much flares this pumps out? Main issue is anything radar guided and has any semblance of chaff rejection

[@rasskhovp528]

@@theangrycheeto They have missile approach warning sensors slaved to a countermeasure release computer which detects the IR signature from surface to air and air to air launches; the plane will automatically dump countermeasures at optimal times to confuse a missile.

[@joseantoniobatac6322]

"Nothing can kill an AC-130." Enemy fighter jets, SAMs & MANPADs: "Allow us to introduce ourselves!"

[@HerrConner627]

@ThelUnitedStatesOfAmericaflares can't fool every missile

[@VandalAudi]

​@ThelUnitedStatesOfAmerica tbf, modern SPAAGs could fire on the run making it harder for the 105s to target.

[@colonelturmeric558]

Its funny how an ac130 is very well defended against modern missiles with the ability to spew out chaff like its a combine harvester, yet a ballistic flak weapon could take it out if flying low enough. Full circle

[@ericrichards8563]

One of the slowest, but sickest combat planes in existence! She’s a bad girl with a huge attitude!! That’s why we love her!

[@ploopy2436]

literally huge attitude

[@CittizinKane]

Wakes up angry 😡 ❤😊

[@Scp.foundation371]

ac130 is a male not a female

[@ok-zh8pw]

​@@Scp.foundation371neither, it is a plane

[@Scp.foundation371]

I know but if it is a gender it is a male

[@willchaos82ndABNvet]

In Afghanistan in 2002 in the 82nd we had a "HVT" to collect and heard the "big"village(more a town, like 1,200 people nearby) were coming to scare us away to protect him from capture. We heard we had "Spooky" above us for overwatch and our Platoon Sergeant asked for "Lume" the AC-130 hit it's IR illuminators. It lit a huge area(miles)up like daylight with our "Nods" on. Always felt good having her as a Halo of Overhead CAS!!

[@ThroughTheGatesOfHell]

*IT'S 82ND ALL THE WAY* *DEATH FROM ABOVE* *WHAT THEY NOW SAY*

[@Unrealblu]

my rotc teacher flew a spooky

[@michaelmcmillan2776]

I can't even imagine being on the receiving end of that Halestorm from the air

[@CSltz]

I talked with a guy once about the AC-47. He said when they walked back into that area. It looked a lot like a freshly plowed field. We were told where we were. That if things got really really screwed up that area would be a target for Puff. Some of the guys who had been to Vietnam said one bullet per square in of a football field. Others said one square foot. I guess it would depend on the speed of the aircraft.

[@michaelmcmillan2776]

@@CSltz wow

[@joeh4295]

Ive been on the ground close enough to feel the ground shake. It's as scary as anything you can imagine. I later became a firefighter and preferred fighting raging wildfires instead of being near the gunships target area.

[@wulfheort8021]

isnt it supposed to be 'hailstorm'?

[@michaelmcmillan2776]

@@wulfheort8021 true

[@Walter_White_889]

AC-130 (Angel of Death) is literally death from above

[@MrDDiRusso]

The newer versions of the AC 130 have fewer guns and more missiles than the older ones. This is to allow longer range engagements to reduce getting shot down. The first AC130A had four 20mm Vulcan gatling guns, later replaced with two Vulcans, two 40mm Bofors L60 cannon and two M134 miniguns. The miniguns were removed and one 40mm replaced with the M101A1 howitzer for the AC130H. The AC130U replaced the two Vulcans with the 25mm GAU12U Equalizer. Later versions replaced the 25mm and 40mm with one MK 44 30mm Bushmaster III cannon and retained the 105mm howitzer. Some versions also use the Gryphon missile that launches from the portside aft door.

[@johnljacksonjr5074]

I love it when you Bad Ass Vets Up grade there Asses. !

[@johndc2998]

Puff the Magic Dragon

[@weatherherk1]

You better fact check your self before putting out information on the systems of the AC-130 J.

[@MrDDiRusso]

@@weatherherk1 I never mentioned the J version

[@Coinz8]

the gryphon missile isn't an air to air missile.

[@SirPlocks]

The AC-130 and the A-10 are my favorite military planes we have.

[@johnfairchild3421]

Them Lovely Cannons saved my life twice. Yes I have been to that dance. Bouncing around all curled up

[@michaeldenesyk3195]

Okay, an AC-130 was shot down during the Vietnam War and Desert Storm, So to say something like "NOthing can kill an AC-130" is without merit. Do your research!

[@timrutkevich3222]

It is piece of propaganda and not intended to be truthful and unbiased

[@TimeTheory2099]

What you say is true, but you must realise some channel developers purposely post wrong and outlandish statements to get more people to comment on their channel.

[@EnragedByCorn]

Different planes in Vietnam actually. But same concept and similar vulnerabilities.

[@Thatonenapoleonguy]

Let me give you a fun fact my great uncle was a pilot of a ac-130 during veitnam and it was shot down over loas u can find the funeral his name is Curtis Dan miller I never got to meet him but I wish I could

[@chrisbusenkell]

I think this plane, C-130, and the F-15, are the two most amazing and versatile aircraft ever made and wow, they're quality builds that just keep going and can be customized in a 100 different ways. Glad I never had either of them after me.

[@throngcleaver]

Let's round out that amazing trio by adding the A-10. Brrrt!

[@ivanvukadin3194]

This is one of the biggest free kills an AA-inplacement can get It's a big and slow plane that has to fly rather "low" and on a very predictable and repetitive course to be effective And to people who say this thing has a shit load of flares that only helps against Stingers and such and not against AA-cannons

[@hermes_0440]

Modern MANPADS are even designed to ignore flares

[@garyanderson7520]

Now has, standoff precision guided munitions, small glide munitions, hellfire missiles and Griffin missiles. No longer needs to orbit using these type standoff weapons.

[@Dyson_Cyberdynesystems]

Yeah. But your enplacement would be the first target even before they anchor along with any other surface to air threats.

[@UmbraCatervae01]

Its why they mostly fly at night

[@Workerbee-zy5nx]

That's a man's plane. I have been in a few, and I'm always impressed by its design and room in the cockpit. 😎👍

[@demonshark5509]

That’s all nice until you have to make a steep climb without your wings folding like a laptop

[@ovh1982]

Any aircraft, especially low flying low speed aircraft, is vulnerable to AA. The AC130 is one of the most vulnerable aircraft and quite honestly it would be better to send in a drone or a helicopter for a CAS mission over an AC130 since that amount of firepower is generally not needed.

[@kerbalairforce8802]

When you need it, nothing else will do. We've also used them to hunt SAM sites for decades.

[@dallasyap3064]

AC-130s are mostly used in non-contested airspace, where air superiority has been established and SEAD is accomplished.

[@UmbraCatervae01]

This is one of the main reasons they fly mostly at night, to avoid being locked on by Anti Air

[@Knuckledragnation]

I know the C-130 is a tried and true aircraft platform that’s stood the test of time and many battles. I can only imagine what stressors this type of weapons system puts on the airframe.

[@rusticbox9908]

Yea, battle tested against blokes in flip flops.

[@Knuckledragnation]

@@rusticbox9908 Not sure what or if your implying something by using the word “flip flop” sir? But ok I’ll bite. Your not assuming somehow that the clothing one wears into battle makes them any less deadly are you sir? I hope not because that type of thinking is extremely naïve to say the least and it will get you killed. If your using “flip flops” in a way as to try and throw shade on the U.S. Military because your implying overkill on a weak adversary I will direct you back to my explanation about how clothing does not determine a fighters heart or will. Especially when he or she is pointing a rifle, grenade launcher or any other DEADLY weapon at you or your comrades. With all due respect sir if you were in FLIP FLOPS wearing a POLKA DOT BIKINI and pointing a deadly weapon at someone I hope you understand that, although you might look different, you will be neutralized just the same. Cheers mate!

[@rusticbox9908]

@@Knuckledragnation If 'YOU'RE' not sure about what I mean 'flip flop' you could've asked. But blokes in flip flop means they're piss poor and can't even afford proper shoes so definitely no air force! If you're unsure, ASK. Don't assume and go off ranting on a tangent.

[@Knuckledragnation]

@@rusticbox9908 With all due respect I did ask questions. Hence the reason there are question marks after my first 2 paragraphs. 😳😳 But my argument and view is the same whether it’s clothing or as you would say “being piss poor”. Let me remind you that Terrorist did not need an Air Force nor a whole lot of money to highjack 3 Civilian Airliners, fly them on a Suicide mission and killing thousands of innocent people. You go to war with the army you have, not the army you might want or wish to have at a later time. - Donald Rumsfeld Good Day Sir, God Bless & God Speed. ✌🏽🇺🇸🙏

[@rusticbox9908]

@@Knuckledragnation I do agree with you that it's gone through many battles and done what it's designed for but against adversaries without advanced AA or fighter capabilities. Imagine if you donated one to Ukraine, how long do you think it'd last in battle?

[@Theodore92477]

U.S. Military : One of the most heavily armed plane in the world...blah..blah..blah..!! Me: Yeah..!.. That's the plane of Zombie Gunship.. 😁

[@juanamparan2401]

The AC 130 has not seen an enemy with similar capabilities.

[@matthewbrinker6615]

SAMs, manpads, and pilot error can take them out. Oh, maybe several birds. Big ones.

[@justarandom2330]

basically any manpad with IRCCM missile can completely screw it up

[@Mr.ENJ1]

They're vulnerable to SAM, AAA and NUKES 👀💯😂

[@ernestosilva9891]

They also can track 3 separate targets at the same time

[@turkeytrac1]

None of those guns will help if there's interceptor aircraft nearby. Unless it has a fighter escort, it's a sitting duck

[@bob-es3dy]

it always has a escort

[@josephsmith6777]

It's much like the a10 not used in contested air space

[@stevenkown5801]

So, send fighters. Worth it.

[@shawnr771]

The AC130 wont show up unless there is total air superiority.

[@josephsmith6777]

@@shawnr771 yes it's doesn't fly in contested air space it will only fly if there's no real a/a threat and minimal a/g threat

[@ec7005]

And now they are mounting lasers on them

[@casbot71]

S400 would have an opinion about that …

[@chrislewis1749]

Amazing these planes still flying today. Due to its long range we flew to north in these many time CF130 Hercules

[@speedracer2336]

Even more precise with a AF Combat Controller on the ground!

[@Ar_Tank]

Next upgrade if they haven't implemented it already would be oxygen masks for the crew. Iirc some crew members get lung cancer and sometimes lead poisoning from being in the aircraft for too long and so many times. Still though, I'd take on the training for this aircraft

[@kerbalairforce8802]

Don't believe everything you hear in a VR chat of a guy claiming to be a gunner

[@Coinz8]

that's bs

[@iamgaijin88]

_“wildfire, we're moving up the road towards the town to the east. confirm you have a visual on us.”_ - cpt. price, 2011

[@PAS2010D]

A true American British Irish fuck it... a true world hero.

[@andrygugli1928]

"Nothing can kill" My guy that plane is made to fight dirt poor ooga boogas with no manpads or air defence whatsoever. Even a ZSU anti air cannon can take it out

[@gregorygalloway794]

When I joined the military 1973 the M60 series tanks had a 105 mm ammunition. Everything's going 120 mm now but the 105 mm is a very effective round, easier to maneuver than her bigger cousins, and will get the job done.

[@robhaythorne4464]

The airborne 105s are actually artillery pieces, not tank guns. They have rifled barrels, and they don't have kinetic energy rounds, for example. The chosen payloads are either HEAT or anti-personnel (fleshette) versions. The 105mm was selected because it is a one man lift, and because of its smaller size, the airplane can carry more of them. The original version of this was aboard a DC3 (C47). Had only one or two multi-barrel machine guns. It was called "Puff The Magic Dragon," because when shooting, especially at night, it looked like it was belching fire.

[@CoolSmoovie]

I always figured this beast was only really suited for anti insurgency tactics.

[@kirneyc.thibodeaux649]

And it's a first class kick ass platform made in USA.

[@jonlittle3738]

AC-130 Ghost Rider

[@PhotoDump-wv6zj]

The AC-130 is really only used when air superiority is established.

[@douglashoward5757]

Ghostrider is also getting the new high energy laser weapon for defense

[@johnbuckner2200]

It is not a conventional weapon, therefore not used conventionally. It is a air assault vehicle usually called in to remove in trenched enemy combatants. Man pads are a effective weapon but I wonder what is there range?

[@kaulumapaulus9234]

man pads can be used to scare it enough

[@CSltz]

To think that this all started with a 25 year old plane. With some WW II ideas. If I could go back in time. I want to be at that meeting about the armament. Just to see the expressions. “Sir I have a idea . How about a 105 off the side?”

[@gregorygaskill5412]

When implemented properly this beast can suppress with the best of them.

[@badgerwildgaming6908]

Tactical arts and crafts.

[@shanewhite5447]

While I was in Afghanistan in 2011 I Had a buddy that was on mission, got ambushed after an IED went off taking out the second vehicle in the convoy and an F13 notified that there was an spooky close by. He told me that this thing rained down hell from above. It caused so much damage that he said it looked like a hellscape. Not one human being was whole, everyone was in peices when they did their bfa

[@hubertfarnsworth3622]

Answer: it's because they don't fly it in dangerous skys, in fact it's meant 100% for night missions, they only fly it in the day as a last resort.

[@beachhead8904]

Today I learned you can rewind KZbin shorts

[@NowStopandThink]

Doesn't attempt stealth. Wants targets to know what's coming for them!

[@Mr.Robert1]

They're only vulnerable at first until we own the air something that we always do. they should never be put in before that time.

[@russ_the_corso_dad1947]

Aka: The official plane of "find out"

[@geofredotappan9777]

Power projection at it's utmost.

[@Spaceings]

Civillian engineers when they are offered a contract:

[@M.Huling]

I know that the ghost Ryder is a badass with throwing down all kinds of firepower on the ground, but I wonder how it does with air to air combat? Or do they rely on additional fighter jets to mitigate those potential threats?

[@kerbalairforce8802]

They've done well in Red Flag exercises, and an AC-130(H) killed a helicopter once.

[@M.Huling]

@@kerbalairforce8802 wow I didn’t know that

[@johnljacksonjr5074]

I love it when the active duty and veterans Chime in and give the 😮Up grades. I love my country and my Fighting men and Women ! God Bless and protect the scene and Unseen . FJB

[@joshuamurray9403]

Now they have direct energy lasers on them!

[@j.g4104]

What i find pretty bad ass is how versatile Spooky is besides the Gatlin Gun , Cannon & howitzer. These Angles of Death will be able to deploy cruise missles as well . As if whatever there target is wasent already dead as is .

[@5thBeatle]

This video never mentioned why nothing can kill the AC-130 gunship. Thumbs down. Reported for misleading text.

[@joshuagoodyear221]

Thank you Howard Hughes for such a amazing aircraft.

[@Dynastyofchill]

as an ac130, i can confirm that we are invincible

[@sergioarias2266]

THESE ARE GREAT, WITH GOOD AIR SUPPORT. ESPECIALLY WITH WAVES OF ATTACKERS, ABOUT TO OVERWHELM.

[@YenZenBamboo]

I heard they were good on scorpions. Lol

[@throngcleaver]

Only the Navy uses port and starboard, and that's generally used only when speaking of shops and boats, not aircraft. Of the dozens of Navy pilots and aircraft mechanics I've worked with, all of them used left and right, when talking about the jets we worked on.

[@gabrielbanna6725]

Saw one land last Saturday at Cahokia Apt on my first flight lesson!

[@xwinter__riderx9155]

"Why nothing can kill the AC - 130" Me: But... Spirit 03

[@horehoundbasedcandy8736]

Everyone on here thinking the AC-130 is just like a videogame. Obviously it’s vulnerable to purpose built weapon systems, but how quickly can those systems be deployed. Also it’s not like an AC-130 goes solo, they’ve always got some form of support. Also they tend to always run night ops.

[@stanleyrichardfunk5269]

A whole new meaning for death from above!

[@jstriker623]

I was a AC-130 gun/cannon operator during operation Call of Duty. I got at least 10 confirmed kills.

[@markomenalan]

A lot of things can kill an AC130 which is why it only flew night missions vs opponents who didnt have access to high end AA

[@fauxfox2974]

Imagine being an “enemy” soldier, with little concealment half out in the open. Then one of these brutes suddenly appears on the horizon. The guns start blazing, the ground in front of you being torn to bits, knowing it’s just a matter of time until you get liquidated. Just a brutal death machine.

[@kingkobra_1945]

even if you have concealment you’re still a dead man. the FLIR cameras have improved so much that your heat signature can still be recognized with cover

[@fauxfox2974]

@@kingkobra_1945 Just a fearsome beast.

[@HanzOrHans]

"MAYDAY MAYDAY warlock-1-1 is going down! warlock 1-1 is going down!"

[@GuessWho9411]

I never forget the scene in the movie The Green Berets that an AC-130 cut down a whole bunch of VCs inside a compound as they looked up into the sky 50 years ago. I was and still am amazed by its power.

[@evtinker1814]

Actually, that was its ancestor, the AC-47 Spooky aka “Puff, the Magic Dragon”. Those had four 7.62 mm mini-guns.

[@fritzthecat2634]

Damn! That's a Spooky lookin' aircraft!

[@Sleepy_Alligator]

Nothing other than a well placed SAM.

[@weatherherk1]

Correction..the AC-130 J has a pressurized cabin . Might want to fact check your information before putting it out there.

[@bobbiemarsden4340]

An alternative name would be "LOW RIDER "

[@j.g4104]

The A-10 warthog , AH-64 Apache & AC130 "Angel of Death" are the Grunts Gardian angel. And belonved Aircraft of the men with boots on ground

[@Aaron-sv1rm]

If you're the enemy and you see it circling, you've lost...no need in trying to run...you're dead.

[@rogerwills7002]

That’s one bad ass machine

[@wagnergitirana]

8 on pylons and flying around a point are my specialty. While executing my Commercial Flight maneuvers, instructors always told me that I was performing by the numbers . I’ve heard that C-130 are not a difficult aircraft to fly …😀👍🏻

[@zachm9202]

Pilot: BROADSIDE!

[@XtreemAlan]

Su57: “aw look a lone AC-130” AC-130: “what makes you think I’m alone” Hummingbird going a Mach Fuck: “hello what are we looking at?

[@debbiegilmour6171]

They are great when you have air superiority, as in Afghanistan. When you're up against a peer level opponent they're basically sitting ducks.

[@fidjeenjanrjsnsfh]

"Nothing can kill the AC-130 Gunship" The guys who died during Redwings because their AC-130 cover has to run from sunlight: 🤨

[@IMDunn-oy9cd]

Volume of content > accuracy of content.

[@carlosdeleon8527]

My stinger missile begs to differ

[@kerbalairforce8802]

The Infrared Suppression System calls your bluff.

[@sampangjustine8253]

💀☠️what is your Stinger missile gonna do bite the AC-130? Flares: in your dreams

[@sampangjustine8253]

Flares joined the chat

[@sampangjustine8253]

This ain't video games my lil boi Stinger is only effective on Helicopter not on Heavily armored high flying gunship.☠️💀

[@Donald-ky2fg]

We all freaking love this airplane my whole life . Spooky forever.

[@mikegray-ehnert3238]

Originally they were modified C-47's in Vietnam War, armed with mini guns. Personal peeve, train your voice over that is millimeter NOT millimeters!

[@henrytowne7463]

"puff the magic dragon"....

[@BigShooterUnaimed]

A manpad shot down the "Spirit 03" AC-130 during desert storm because they could see it during the morning sunrise and were able to get lock. Manpads are commonly used in war, Ukraine, Russia even Hamas has manpads.

[@bryanr8897]

Um, two AC-130 gunships have been shot down. Spirit 03 during Desert Storm and Jockey 14 during Somalia. Turns out that the kryptonite of the AC-130 is flying during the day.

[@jackwertz8301]

Jocky 14 wasn't shot down. Wasnt even in Somalia

[@sstg.a.swiftke.pls.]

Random dude with Igla or Stinger: boom, boom

[@leoisstellar]

Can you imagine how heavy this thing is?

[@trevormynatt3466]

No air craft is impervious, and you can thank Germany for a lot of our technology- they’ve always been badasses

[@moisesr7840]

Battlefield 4 nailed it when they introduced this gunship

[@marleyboy7732]

Curious if the rounds fired from the 130 cannon are really accurate or possibly tumble due to distance & the speed the plane is flying?

[@yecto1332]

This is the only ac that makes ur surroundings hot

[@dvalentine8744]

It's basically a flying pirate ship

[@kingkobra_1945]

everyone keeps saying “it’s a sitting duck”. the ac 130 won’t be dispatched unless there is air superiority. fighter jets will always be in the area or serve as QRF. not to mention most CAS missions are at night. one day there will be a fully stealth version of these aircrafts

[@kaulumapaulus9234]

so basically afghanistan only.

[@papajahatmamabaik2050]

Never had war with adversaries armed with sophisticated SAMs. That's the bragging rights.

[@kerbalairforce8802]

There were 100% modern Russia SAMs in Syria, and they got clapped by 105mm rounds

[@Coinz8]

​@@kerbalairforce8802 *harm.

[@dimagass7801]

Fun fact 🤫it's $65 million(base price so probably more plus taxes and all that for a g650, for"only" $12mil you can get a fuckin AC-130 and get exponentially more room for 1/5 the price

[@hes1shot671]

Basically America saying, “Fuck around and find out”

[@xi-deadshot-ix5838]

I just think it’s hilarious someone came up with the idea to stick a 30mm Gatling gun and a 105mm howitzer on a cargo plane to fly circles around an enemy and rain down hell and the DOD approved it and allocated billions of dollars for it. 😂 It seems like a crazy idea but in practicality it’s an amazing asset for ground forces. It’s much cheaper to fly and has a larger overall payload than any fighter and can stay in the air much longer than a fighter with an air to ground load out.