"miso" wrote in message
om...
I think the opposite question should be asked. Is the crew of the
ac130 safe given the amount of SA gear floating around Iraq. Can the
AC130 maintain a safe distance from the weapons of the resistance?

Henry J Cobb wrote in message
...
http://globalsecurity.org/military/s...ft/ac-130u.htm
The newest addition to the command fleet, this heavily armed aircraft
incorporates side-firing weapons integrated with sophisticated
sensor,
navigation and fire control systems to provide surgical firepower or
area saturation during extended loiter periods, at night and in
adverse weather.

Is Spooky safer for the surrounding civilians than laser guided bombs or
hellfire missiles for attacks on point targets in urban areas?

-HJC


Spooky flies at night, which makes visual targeting more difficult. In
addition, the most visible thing Spooky does is put out a long line of
tracer fire, which appears to curve as you're watching it. That throws off
visual targeting too. Finally, if you shoot at Spooky, you'd better hit it
quick, because it shoots back and is accurate enough to ruin your whole day.

As far as MANPADS go, Spooky has a decent slant range and effective
countermeasures. MANPADS are not terribly effective under those
circumstances..


KB