AC-130 NOT!
New 5/26/06: (This is, I believe, the definitive answer to this video):
Here's info received from Mark, US Army:
"The video here is of U.S. Army MH-60K Blackhawk DAP (Deep Attack Penetrator) Gunships flown exclusively by the Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. I know this, because I was in Mosul, Iraq when it was filmed, watched it being filmed, was previously a member of this unit (I also know the guys that made the video- SF troops)."
"The initial gunfire comes from M-134D Gatling guns (7.62mm "Mini-Guns") mounted in the Crew Chief's window. This is followed by 30mm Cannon fire (mounted on the helicopter's wing stores) & finally followed by 2.75" rocket fire- also from the helicopter's wing stores."
"There are 2 aircraft in this video. There are no Bradleys, Apaches, or "Little Birds" here as other readers suggested. Apache's DO NOT have "Mini-Guns", Little Birds do not have 30mm cannons, and Bradleys do not have Mini-Guns or rockets."
"Classic tactics of the 160th utilize the Mini-Gun, followed by the 30mm cannon and rockets in that order on a single pass to ensure rapid target destruction, a hallmark of Special Operations Aviation."
Here's info received from Tony Clay, RAF (retired):
"Have studied this video in detail and do not believe this to be an AC-130 attack. If you look at the direction of the rounds going into the target it is more or less straight and at one point even has a slight spray effect. It looks like all the rounds are coming from a stationary aircraft in the air and as you know an AC-130 can't do that. (Although one RAF Herc pilot I was flying with once did try, but that’s another story)" "It is my opinion that helicopter gunships were used in this attack, as visually I see no evidence that it is an AC-130. The dynamics of the rounds going into the target are all wrong."
Some more info from another knowledgeable source:
"In regards to the AC-130 Spectre gunship video. I believe it to be incorrect. By viewing the video you can distinctly hear and see helicopter gun ships orbiting the attack on this Island. They probably attacked with 30 mm cannon and Hellfire rockets directed by the IR spotlight. Don’t know about the other rounds being shot in between the tracer rounds and the rocket firing from the night sky (maybe a Bradley assault vehicles cannon backing the helicopters up) but doubt that a Spectre crew would be targeting the same area as these hello-gun ships are orbiting. Spectre gun ships typically fly and attack out of sight and sound several thousand feet above the target area."
Commentary and web links from a knowledgeable spotter:
"I know you have already received considerable response about this and know it is not a AC-130, but what it is is still a curiosity so I present the following.
I believe that the heavy tracer minigun fire is coming from twin GAU-2B/A 7.62mm miniguns mounted on an AH-64 Blackhawk in attack gunship style (mounted on the weapons platforms for the pilot to shoot), or an AH-6J "Littlebird".
Both the Littlebird and the Blackhawk can can at the same time be equipped with 2.75" rocket pods , which also could be the source of some of the rocket fire. Without a doubt this is not AC-130 fire. I believe that we are seeing a couple different types of helicopter gunships firing at the same time, ie Cobras or Apaches, as well as the Littlebird.
I give you the following examples: Blackhawk in attack loading:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4887802143660015980&q=minigun&pl=true
minigun being fired for comparison to the AC130 video:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5653559422181740400&q=minigun&pl=true
The following site actually lists the MH60L blackhawk as being responsible:
http://tonyrogers.com/video/index.htm 5th video down"
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