4. The Stinger II AC-130W
I joined the service in 1968.
Not retired: N/A
Price: $122 million
The Spooky and Ghostrider are both members of the AC-130 family, which also includes the AC-130W Stinger. The USAF is the only user of the Stinger, which was created in the 1970s. One variant, the Stinger, is employed for close air support, force protection, and air interdiction. The Lockheed Martin Stinger is used for close air support tasks such as covering ground troops and escorting convoys in urban areas.
Pinterest/AAC-130W Stinger II @Cloyd Hall
Air interdiction is used to attack both pre-planned and opportunistic targets. All AC-130 aircraft feature unpressurized cabins, and the port side of the fuselage houses the weapons. During an attack, the gunship can execute a pylon turn, extending its firing range well beyond that of other gunships.
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