The Lockheed AC-130 gunship is a heavily armed, long-endurance, ground-attack variant of the C-130 Hercules transport, fixed-wing aircraft. It carries a wide array of ground-attack weapons that are integrated with sophisticated sensors, navigation, and fire-control systems. Unlike other modern military fixed-wing aircraft, the AC-130 relies on visual targeting. Since its large profile and low operating altitudes around 7,000 feet make it an easy target, its close air support missions are usually flown at night.
Lockheed AC-130
AC-130H Spectre near Hurlburt Field, Florida in 1988
AC-130U armed with two 30 mm Bushmasters, 2007
Underside of an AC-130U Spooky
A gunship is a military aircraft armed with heavy aircraft guns, primarily intended for attacking ground targets either as airstrike or as close air support.
An AC-130H gunship from the 16th Special Operations Squadron
The B-25 bomber was heavily armed with 75mm and .50 caliber machine guns.
The AC-47 provided CAS with three port side mounted 7.62 mm miniguns.
The Mil Mi-24 was one of the first dedicated gunship helicopters.