™ ™ Are you ready to take it to the extreme? Torque books thrust you into the action-packed world of sports™, vehicles, and adventure. These books ™ may include dirt, smoke, fire, and dangerous stunts. WARNING: read at your own risk. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Alvarez, Carlos, 1968– AC-130H/U gunships / by Carlos Alvarez. p. cm. — (Torque: Military machines) Includes bibliographical references and index. Summary: “Amazing photography accompanies engaging information about AC-130H/U Gunships. The combination of high-interest subject matter and light text is intended for students in grades 3 through 7”—Provided by publisher. ISBN 978-1-60014-493-6 (hardcover : alk. paper) 1. Spectre (Gunship)—Juvenile literature. 2. Gunships (Military aircraft)—United States—Juvenile literature. I. Title. UG1242.G85A45 2010 623.74'6—dc22 2010000866 This edition first published in 2011 by Bellwether Media, Inc. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher. For information regarding permission, write to Bellwether Media, Inc., Attention: Permissions Department, 5357 Penn Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55419. Text copyright © 2011 by Bellwether Media, Inc. TORQUE and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Bellwether Media, Inc. The images in this book are reproduced through the courtesy of: Ted Carlson/Fotodynamics, pp. 12-13; all other photos courtesy of the Department of Defense. Printed in the United States of America, North Mankato, MN. 080110 1162 The AC-130H/U in action .............4 Ground-Attack Aircraft ...........8 Weapons and features ............12 AC-130H/U Missions ..................18 Glossary ............................... 22 To Learn More ....................... 23 Index .................................... 24 Wind blows across the desert. United States soldiers move toward an enemy base. The enemy knows they are coming. Enemy trucks carry machine guns into position. These guns are aimed at the U.S. soldiers. Suddenly, an AC-130 f lies overhead. 4 5 The AC-130 opens fire before the enemy can react. Enemy trucks explode. Enemy soldiers run for cover. Their defenses have been destroyed. The U.S. soldiers have a clear path. The gunship heads back to base. Its mission is a success. 6 7 The AC-130 is a ground-attack aircraft. It is a huge airplane loaded with powerful guns. It f lies low and slow. It protects and assists U.S. soldiers on the ground. This is called close air support. 8 The Air Force stations its AC-130U models at Hurlburt Field in Florida. The AC-130H models are stationed at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico. 9 U.S. gunships destroyed more than 10,000 enemy trucks during the Vietnam War. AC-130H Spectre 10