The Corps is used to dealing with budget constraints, however, and in that spirit began considering creative solutions. The problem, especially in today’s environment of shrinking budgets, was the price tag: a single 12-plan squadron of AC-130Js (the USMC variant) would cost as much as 45 KC-130J aerial tankers. Not surprisingly, the average Joes on the ground would like a piece of this devastating air support action, so the Marine Corps began looking at options. The AC-130U operates primary in support of special operations forces. The AC-130U also boasts a GAU-12 25mm rotary cannon. If you’ve done any appreciable amount of reading about the Vietnam War, you know that one of the grunt’s best friends in the air was the AC-130 Specter gunship, affectionately known in those days as “Puff the Magic Dragon.” Both the AC-130H and third-generation AC-130U Spooky pack a lethal combination of L60 40mm Bofors and M102 105mm cannons - yes, that’s 105mm, as in the light artillery piece.

Ac130 puff the magic dragon