AC-130 Gunship How it Works

AC-130 Gunship How it Works
Quizzed ESL Activities

Summary

AC-130 Gunship Overview

The AC-130 Gunship is a converted cargo plane, specifically the MC-130, transformed into a combat aircraft. It has a length of 29.3M, a height of 11.9M, and a wingspan of 39.7M, with a payload capacity of up to 42,000 lb.

Key Components

  • Radar system in the nose of the aircraft
  • Flight deck with pilot and co-pilot seats
  • Battle management station for command system officer and weapon system officer
  • 105 mm Howitzer and 30 mm Bushmaster autocannon
  • Hellfire missiles and small diameter bombs attached to the wings

Cockpit and Control Systems

The cockpit features digital flyby wire systems, three HUDs, and a combat system officer and weapon system officer station. The sensor located at the nose of the aircraft provides data for the combat system officer, while the sensor on the right is for the weapon system officer to control the 105 mm Howitzer and 30 mm Bushmaster autocannon.

Firing Process

  1. Verified rounds are loaded from the rack
  2. The controller on the left hand side adjusts the position of the sensors or camera
  3. The pilot aligns the AC-130 Gunship according to the target
  4. The loader closes the breach and hits F1 for confirmation
  5. The loader arms the 105 mm Howitzer
  6. The trigger button is squeezed to fire the 105 mm Howitzer

Vulnerabilities and Countermeasures

The AC-130 Gunship is vulnerable to Soviet-made surface-to-air missiles. To counter this, the Air Force fitted the aircraft with Hellfire missiles and small diameter bombs. Additionally, the aircraft uses flares as a countermeasure to evade missiles.

Specifications

  • Length: 29.3M
  • Height: 11.9M
  • Wingspan: 39.7M
  • Payload capacity: up to 42,000 lb

Key Vocabulary

Term Definition Example Usage
AC-130 Gunship A converted cargo plane transformed into a combat aircraft. The AC-130 Gunship is used for close air support missions.
MC-130 A cargo plane used as the base for the AC-130 Gunship conversion. The MC-130 was modified to create the AC-130 Gunship.
Radar System A system used to detect and track targets. The radar system in the nose of the AC-130 Gunship helps to identify enemy positions.
Flight Deck The area where the pilot and co-pilot control the aircraft. The flight deck of the AC-130 Gunship features digital flyby wire systems.
105 mm Howitzer A large caliber gun used for firing at ground targets. The AC-130 Gunship is equipped with a 105 mm Howitzer for close air support missions.
30 mm Bushmaster Autocannon A medium caliber gun used for firing at ground targets. The 30 mm Bushmaster autocannon on the AC-130 Gunship provides additional firepower.
Hellfire Missiles Guided missiles used to attack ground targets. The AC-130 Gunship can launch Hellfire missiles to engage enemy positions.
Flares Countermeasures used to evade enemy missiles. The AC-130 Gunship uses flares to decoy incoming missiles.
Payload Capacity The maximum weight of cargo or weapons an aircraft can carry. The AC-130 Gunship has a payload capacity of up to 42,000 lb.
Digital Flyby Wire Systems Electronic systems that control the aircraft’s flight surfaces. The AC-130 Gunship features digital flyby wire systems for improved control.
HUDs (Heads-Up Displays) Displays that project critical information onto a transparent screen in front of the pilot. The AC-130 Gunship has three HUDs to provide the pilot with essential flight data.

Watch The Video

AC-130 Gunship How it Works #plane

Vocabulary Quiz

1. What does the term ‘payload capacity’ refer to in the context of the AC-130 Gunship?

A) The maximum speed of the aircraft
B) The weight of the aircraft itself
C) The maximum weight the aircraft can carry
D) The range of the aircraft’s radar system

2. Which of the following is NOT a component of the AC-130 Gunship’s armament?

A) 105 mm Howitzer
B) Hellfire missiles
C) Small diameter bombs
D) Radar system

3. What is the purpose of the ‘flares’ used by the AC-130 Gunship?

A) To guide Hellfire missiles to their targets
B) To illuminate targets at night
C) To counter surface-to-air missiles
D) To communicate with other aircraft

4. What type of system is used in the cockpit of the AC-130 Gunship?

A) Analog flyby wire systems
B) Digital flyby wire systems
C) Mechanical flight control systems
D) Hydraulic flight control systems

5. What is the primary function of the ‘battle management station’ on the AC-130 Gunship?

A) To control the aircraft’s engines
B) To navigate the aircraft
C) To command and control the aircraft’s weapon systems
D) To communicate with air traffic control

Answer Key:

1. C
2. D
3. C
4. B
5. C

Grammar Focus

Grammar Focus: Passive Voice

The passive voice is a grammatical construction in which the subject of a sentence receives the action described by the verb. It is often used in technical and formal writing, such as the text about the AC-130 Gunship, to emphasize the action rather than the doer. For example, in the sentence “The AC-130 Gunship is converted into a combat aircraft,” the focus is on the aircraft, not on who converted it. Another example from the text is “The aircraft is fitted with Hellfire missiles and small diameter bombs,” where the emphasis is on the aircraft being fitted, rather than on who fitted it. The passive voice is formed using the verb “to be” in the correct tense, followed by the past participle of the main verb. For instance, “The radar system is located in the nose of the aircraft” uses the present simple passive, while “The aircraft was transformed into a combat aircraft” would use the past simple passive.

Grammar Quiz:

1. The AC-130 Gunship ____________________ into a combat aircraft.

  • is converting
  • was converted
  • is converted
  • has been converting

2. The specifications of the AC-130 Gunship ____________________ in the table below.

  • are listing
  • have been listed
  • are listed
  • were listed

3. The loader ____________________ the breach and hits F1 for confirmation.

  • closes
  • is closing
  • has been closing
  • was closed

4. The aircraft ____________________ with flares as a countermeasure to evade missiles.

  • uses
  • is used
  • has been fitted
  • is fitted

5. The Hellfire missiles and small diameter bombs ____________________ to the wings.

  • are attached
  • were attached
  • have been attaching
  • are attaching

Answer Key:

1. is converted

2. are listed

3. closes

4. uses

5. are attached