The Lockheed AC-130 gunship

 

This is a great question for those of us who have looked through a gunsight or two.  Turns out that a gunship rotating on a target has actually frozen the target in the available gunsights and 

the target can be pounded.

At the same time the ground pounder has a moving target with a serious lead problem while he must also muscle his weapon onto the target. This is difficult if you are good.  No wonder these birds were difficult to shoot down and at night the shooter would not be able to see forward sights either.  

so yes, the whole operation looks scary, but would you like to disclose your position with muzzle flashes to that chap upstairs? 

Even though The Lockheed AC-130 gunship is used in areas where air dominance has been established, isn't the plane at risk because of the predictable flight plan it uses (circular) when attacking a position?

Great question. Because the Lockheed AC-130 gunship has a large profile and flies at low altitudes making it an easy target, its missions are usually flown at night. During an attack, the gunship performs a pylon turn, flying in a large circle around the target, therefore being able to fire at it for far longer than in a conventional strafing attack.

By flying in a circle, the gunship has an advantage, not a disadvantage. Targeting the enemy on the ground is easier because they appear stationary to the aircrew as the plane circles. On the ground, the enemy has to lead the gunship with their weapons because it is traveling hundreds of feet a second constantly moving out of their sight picture. To simplify, it is easier to target an object that is not constantly moving out of your sight picture. Targeting software adjusts automatically. The gunship has a greater probability of locking on and destroying the enemy before being destroyed while the enemy on the ground is spinning in a turret.

Close air support and ground attack missions are dangerous. The gunship uses both offensive and defensive solutions. It has a countermeasure dispensing system that releases chaff and flares to counter radar infrared-guided antiaircraft missiles. It also has infrared heat shields mounted underneath the engines disperse and hide engine heat sources from infrared-guided antiaircraft missiles. Armor is strategically located to help protect systems and the crew.

The sensor suite consists of multispectral television sensors, high-definition infrared sensors, and radar. These sensors allow the gunship to identify friendly ground forces and targets anytime, anywhere visually or electronically. The AC-130 gunship has received many upgrades and continues to be an effective weapon.