AC-130 gunship musings
This is kind of a shot in the dark, but I can't seem to find a definitive answer anywhere else.
The crew on the AC-130U Spooky is listed as: Pilot, copilot, navigator, fire control officer, electronic warfare officer, flight engineer, TV operator, IR operator, four airborne gunners, and a loadmaster.
Who're the guys who actually aim the weapons and pull the triggers?
I don't think it's the "airborne gunners", despite the name, 'cuz presumably somebody's gotta load the rounds into the 40mm cannon and the howitzer, and you always seem them in the pictures doing exactly that.
The fire control officer sounds like a likely candidate. But I wouldn't think it'd be just ONE guy, since it's got three weapons systems and I'd imagine they probably want to use all three at once.
Anybody got an idea?
The crew on the AC-130U Spooky is listed as: Pilot, copilot, navigator, fire control officer, electronic warfare officer, flight engineer, TV operator, IR operator, four airborne gunners, and a loadmaster.
Who're the guys who actually aim the weapons and pull the triggers?
I don't think it's the "airborne gunners", despite the name, 'cuz presumably somebody's gotta load the rounds into the 40mm cannon and the howitzer, and you always seem them in the pictures doing exactly that.
The fire control officer sounds like a likely candidate. But I wouldn't think it'd be just ONE guy, since it's got three weapons systems and I'd imagine they probably want to use all three at once.
Anybody got an idea?
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quote:Originally posted by dano
I would be thinking along the lines, that there's not a whole lot of "loading" going on, while airborne or in the middle of a fire mission.
Pre-flight checks might incl. a check of already fully loaded weapons. [;)]
Actually, the gatling gun is the only system that feeds from a preloaded drum. The 40mm cannon has a chute type thing that takes clips of 5 rounds and needs to be replenished rather frequently, and the 105mm howitzer gets loaded (and unloaded) the same way as a regular 105 does.
I saw the video on the History channel, but they never said who was actually doing the shooting...0 -
quote:Originally posted by dano
Hmmmmm....I do know this, the only thing more dangerous that an AC-130 Gunship, would be a C-130 full of paratroopers. [:D]
+1
[:D]0 -
quote:Originally posted by dano
Hmmmmm....I do know this, the only thing more dangerous that an AC-130 Gunship, would be a C-130 full of paratroopers. [:D]
What would really be dangerous would be both; a Spectre clearing the area followed by a 130 full of Paratroops slipping in to mop up.
Course if the Spooky had done it's job there wouldn't be much to mop up ...0 -
well if I were in a spooky, and came across an enemy C-130 full of enemy paratroopers, Id feel pretty safe, as our 25 mm gatling gun tears through the hercules.
Or if i had just parachuted in.... I would not want to see a spooky, even if we did have shoulder launched IR missiles- i mean the 105 was added to allow it to perform standoff attacks outside of short range air defenses right?
but If i was in the bush hiding, I'd have a better chance being overlooked by a spooky, than a hercules load of troopers0 -
quote:Originally posted by dano
Hmmmmm....I do know this, the only thing more dangerous that an AC-130 Gunship, would be a C-130 full of paratroopers. [:D]
+1[:D][:D]0 -
Don't think you'd be all that safe hiding in a bush; there's an IR spotlight aboard that at 7500', will light up 2 football fields' worth of an area.
The actual "gunner" is the computer, all those other folks are target markers, identifiers, radio operators, and coal shovel operators (to get rid of the thousands of empty cases).
SOF had an introduction to the AC130A in the July '82 issue; darn good read.0 -
The guns are computer controlled, hydraulically driven . The TV/RADAR operators aquire targets that are processed by the fire control officer. He then prioritizes them and selects the gun and load for the A/C(pilot). The Aircraft commander has a HUD with symbology of the targets. He then hits a concent switch. BOOM 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Bullzeye
Who're the guys who actually aim the weapons and pull the triggers?I used to know a guy who'd been a gunner on an AC130E during Vietnam. From what he told me, all the their weapons were fixed and were aimed by changing the orientation of the aircraft. They were actually fired by the pilot, with the gunner's responsibilty being just ammo handling, loading and weapons maintenance. The fire control officer would determine the target location, then the pilot aimed the weapons with the aid of a computer (circa '70-'71) and activated the firing system.
He said the only weapon the gunners themselves were capable of activating the firing system on was the 40mm, but this was only for emergency use.
I believe the weapons on newer model AC's are no longer fixed, but are still controlled/aimed/fired by the pilot.
All these gunships fire control, sensor and illumination systems were manufactured and installed by a company in my home town. As a kid I remember seeing gunships cruising over the town testing things out all the time. At night they'd fly over with those huge illumination systems activated, lighting up several blocks so brightly you could've read a newspaper.0 -
The 20 mm and 7.62mm gatlings that used to be installed on the older gunships were aimed by moving the aircraft. The rest have always been "trainable" via hydraulics. The "U" model has a trainable 25mm gatling, from the Herrier jump jet. I worked the older "h" models for 2 years and the "u" for 4 more as a hydraulic mechanic. I also deployed with the "a" models on their last deployment before retirement. I have flown on the aircraft while firing. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by earlwellman
The 20 mm and 7.62mm gatlings that used to be installed on the older gunships were aimed by moving the aircraft. The rest have always been "trainable" via hydraulics. The "U" model has a trainable 25mm gatling, from the Herrier jump jet. I worked the older "h" models for 2 years and the "u" for 4 more as a hydraulic mechanic. I also deployed with the "a" models on their last deployment before retirement. I have flown on the aircraft while firing.
Oooooooooooo..................Fun Job! [:D]0 -
quote:Originally posted by earlwellman
The guns are computer controlled, hydraulically driven . The TV/RADAR operators aquire targets that are processed by the fire control officer. He then prioritizes them and selects the gun and load for the A/C(pilot). The Aircraft commander has a HUD with symbology of the targets. He then hits a concent switch. BOOM
But how's he supposed to be flying the plane while this is going on? Presumably the IR and TV screens are displaying the action going on to the port side of the plane. I thought this is the whole reason why they include a WSO in the backseat on F-series strike craft and A-series attack platforms.0 -
The pilot has a HUD on the window by his left side. Once the pilot has set up the standard orbit around the target and the guys in back have everything set and the target locked, consent is sent to the pilot and he activates the weapon. As reported on the History Channel. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by oldnbald
The pilot has a HUD on the window by his left side. Once the pilot has set up the standard orbit around the target and the guys in back have everything set and the target locked, consent is sent to the pilot and he activates the weapon. As reported on the History Channel.
Hmmm. Interesting. But wouldn't it make more sense for the co-pilot to handle the stick if he's going to be horsing around with his eyes off the windshield?
Aw, what the hell do I know. It works, obviously. [:D]0 -
The pilot is the Aircraft Commander. He is in charge. If there is to be shooting, he pulls the trigger. In this case it is a switch. The payload is chosen by the fire control officer. He can choose duration of burst and ammo type for the 25 or direct the gunners (who are really more like loaders) which type of ammo for the 2 big guns. The loadmasters ensure everything is in the proper place in the A/C. Scanners and EWO are for defense (ECM and chaff/flare)
From time to time there are additional crew members (maintenance or Army liason). The copilot gets coffee and stuff for the rest of the guys. Just kidding[:D]0 -
Gun nut, how about a small cave/ ditch/ foxhole with some brush covering the top.
Its my understanding IR illuminators give a view just as you would see with a powerfull light in the visible range, only the target doesnt know hes got a spotlight on him.
I thought only with passive FLIR do human targets glow due to body heat, and if the ambient temperature is the same as your body (say its 99 degrees outside, your body is 98.5), then you dont see much.
Besides, Im from California, in case you didnt see "Predator", Our govenor knows how to hide from even advanced alien IR.
I still think boots on the ground looking for you with their C-130 "dropship" flying overhead would spot you quicker than just the AC-130U alone0 -
quote:Originally posted by Bullzeye
quote:Originally posted by dano
Hmmmmm....I do know this, the only thing more dangerous that an AC-130 Gunship, would be a C-130 full of paratroopers. [:D]
+1
[:D]
As long as the gunship does not take them as the enemy after they have landed, and circle one time before heading home, yes. [:)]0 -
The 20 mm and 7.62mm gatlings that used to be installed on the older gunships were aimed by moving the aircraft. The rest have always been "trainable" via hydraulics. The "U" model has a trainable 25mm gatling, from the Herrier jump jet. I worked the older "h" models for 2 years and the "u" for 4 more as a hydraulic mechanic. I also deployed with the "a" models on their last deployment before retirement. I have flown on the aircraft while firing.
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Wow! I bet you have some stories to tell. What can you tell us about the sound, smells, what did it feel like when the 20mm cut loose. A buddy was on the Thomas Gates when they did a CIWS test, and he said that thing was incredibly loud. He was below decks asleep, and he said it was like a machine gun going off right next to his ear.
PS Thanks for your service to our country!0 -
That's what they were using almost 25 years ago; I think they may have changed a little since then[;)] 0 -
You know, that was back in the late 80's, 1989 I think. Jeez, 18 years ago. I do suddenly feel rather old. 0 -
It's a wonder the ship doesn't shake itself to pieces when the 40's and 105 goes off. 0
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