The Lockheed AC130HU is a fixedwing, sidefiring aerial gunship that provides close air support, air interdiction and force protection. Close air support missions include troops in contact, convoy escort and urban operations. Air interdiction missions are conducted against preplanned targets or targets of opportunity. Force protection missions include air base defense and facilities defense. Secondary missions include armed reconnaissance, forward air control, limited command and control, and combat search and rescue. During the 1950s, the C130 Hercules was originally designed as an assault transport but was readily adapted for a variety of missions, including weather reconnaissance, midair space capsule recovery, search and rescue, drone launching, and midair refueling of helicopters. The AC130H Spectre and AC130U Spooky II are Hercules transports that have been converted into sidefiring gunships, primarily for night attacks against ground targets.

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