This gunship’s nickname is “Hell in the Sky.” To see how it earned that name, tune in tonight at 9PM for Air Warriors: AC-130. 🛩️ http://bit.ly/AirWarriorsMarathon | Smithsonian Channel

The AC-130 is the world's biggest flying artillery gunship - nicknamed 'Hell in the Sky.' With three side-firing weapons, a 25mm gatling gun, a 40mm Bofors cannon, and a 105mm howitzer, it's easy to see why it got its name. Air Warriors: AC-130 airs tonight at 8 PM. | Smithsonian Channel Aviation Nation

This is America's AC-130 Gunship on Steroids 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 Gunship relies on visual targeting. Because its large profile and low operating altitudes of approximately 7,000 make i