MEET THE DO-IT-ALL GUNSHIP

摘要

The AC-130W Stinger II participated in air operations over Somalia in support of Operation Octave Quartz, but little is known about the type. Jon Lake delves into its unique back story. THE AC-130W STINGER II gunships of the 16th Special Operations Squadron (SOS) are currently based at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico. From here they are tasked with providing highly accurate, persistent expeditionary, direct fire support to US conventional and unconventional forces wherever they are in the world, delivering low-yield, precision-guided munitions. And because a high-explosive 105mm round costs only about $400 while a Hellfire missile can cost up to $100,000, depending on the variant, it delivers this support extremely cost effectively.