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Clear for engagement!
- Spectre

The Spectre Gunship was a support aircraft that could be periodically deployed by particularly high-ranking US generals based on the Lockheed AC-130 Spectre.

Background[]

An enormous rocket-powered swing-wing gunship, the Spectre tears across the skies towards its designated target area before unleashing a barrage of fire from a battery of Gatling guns and artillery cannons. The Gunship moved so fast towards its target that it could not be hit by enemy fire. Upon reaching the target area, the Spectre would slow down considerably and fly in a tight circle. While in this state, generals could designate a specific target to be brought down and change this on-the-fly.

After running out of ammunition, the Spectre would return to the air field it originated from, with its wings swept back once again to maximize speed. For most generals, only the first rank of Spectre Gunship attack was available, loaded with the least amount of ammunition on board. However, for General Alexander and General Granger, two further ranks were available, increasing the amount of time the Spectre was able to remain on-site. The maximum amount of time a single Spectre could be on-site for, provided it didn't get shot down, was an impressive thirty seconds. However, given the nature of the aircraft, almost anything would likely be utterly annihilated while under assault for that amount of time.

The Spectre could lay waste to any unit in its sights, and could bring down the majority of buildings. Although it could be shot down while attacking, the Spectre was extremely tough, particularly if equipped with countermeasures.

Game Unit[]

Redirecting course.
- Spectre

Strategy[]

The Spectre Gunship has incredible speed and resilience while en route to a target zone. Lasers and bullet-based AA weapons (such as the Chinese Gatling Tank and the GLA Quad Cannon) deal minor damage against them, but the gunship seldom remain within their sights for long. The efficiency of missile-based weaponry is brought down by their slow rate of fire and the nullifying effects of the Countermeasures upgrade. The Gunship is also immune to EMPs.

Counters[]

The Gunship itself can be brought down by massed laser or bullet weapons, owing to their infallible aim. While single units had no chance of downing them, larger groups had the potential to destroy them. The Gunship also had no means of combating aircraft, and fighters were capable of flying in for a quick and devastating strike.

The Spectre Gunship is rather difficult to destroy while it is en route to its target location, but after it reaches the area (and slows down significantly) it is more vulnerable to attack. As they circle the area they are capable of pounding anything within the target area, but are limited to that; any units sitting outside of the Gunship's circular flight path will be spared, owing to the slanted and fixed nature of its weapons.

Selected Quotes[]

Spectre Gunship, approaching the target.
- When entering the field
Spectre, en route.
- When entering the field
Spectre Gunship, entering combat zone.
- When entering the field
Acquiring new target.
- When ordered to attack
Objective confirmed.
- When ordered to attack
Cleared for engagement.
- When ordered to attack
Clear the area.
- When ordered to attack
We have them.
- When ordered to attack
Our job is done here.
- When leaving the field
Spectre Gunship, signing out.
- When leaving the field
Spectre, mission completed.
- When leaving the field
Redirecting course.
- When moving
Confirmed.
- When moving
New coordinates received.
- When moving
Patrolling the area.
- When moving
Closing in, on position.
- When moving
Spectre Gunship, standing by.
- When selected
Spectre Gunship, standing by.
- When selected
Spectre here.
- When selected
Keeping 'em in line down there.
- When selected
What's the status?
- When selected
Is there a new target?
- When selected
How are we doing, sir?
- When selected

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

  • The design of the Harbinger Gunship from Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 - Uprising is likely inspired by this unit.
  • Despite being called the "Spectre Gunship", this unit does not resemble the real-life Lockheed AC-130 Spectre.
  • Like the Aircraft Carrier, the Spectre Gunship has movement sounds if it is issued a move order (while en-route or exiting the airspace), but will not take any action.
    • An announcement sound also exists within the game files, but it has gone unused.
  • If no targets remain within the Spectre Gunship's line of sight, it will continue to fly in circles until it is destroyed or its lifetime expires and it leaves.

See also[]

Gen USA Logo United States of America War against the GLA Arsenal Gen USA Logo
China General Leang Arsenal China
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