AC-130 Gunship Firing All Its Cannons

A Flying Battleship: The Fearsome AC-130 Gunship

The AC-130 is the world’s most powerful flying artillery platform—earning its nickname, “Hell in the Sky.” With weapons mounted along its fuselage, it can fire at multiple targets simultaneously, delivering relentless firepower.

A Look at Its Devastating Arsenal:

• 25mm Gatling Gun (Front): A rapid-firing, multi-barrel weapon for precise strikes.
• 40mm Bofors Cannon (Midsection): A WWII-era classic, firing up to 100 rounds per minute with low collateral damage—making it the most used weapon in combat.
• 105mm Howitzer (Rear): The largest airborne artillery gun in service. It fires up to 10 rounds per minute, with a recoil force exceeding 20,000 pounds—unmatched by any other airframe.

At night, the AC-130 dominates the battlefield. With its overwhelming firepower, extended loiter times, and precision targeting, this flying fortress ensures that once it arrives, the battle is already decided.