Angel of Death
Short answer: The Lockheed AC-130 is a heavily armed ground-attack variant of the C-130 Hercules transport, first used by the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War in the late 1960s.
Like many military aircraft, it carries flares, pyrotechnic decoys that burn hot to draw infrared-guided missiles away. Released in symmetric patterns, the flare trails can resemble wings, a display sometimes called angel flares. The footage shows an AC-130 releasing flares.
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What should you know about Angel of Death?
Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.
Ground-attack C-130 variant.
Late 1960s, Vietnam War.
Video transcript: Angel of Death: An AC-130 Releasing Flares Can Trace the Shape of Wings
Did you know the Lockheed AC-130, a heavily armed ground attack aircraft, uses flares as the defensive countermeasure against heat-seeking missiles? These flares are pyrotechnic devices designed to burn hotter than the aircraft's engines, effectively distracting infrared-guided missiles away from the AC-130. When deployed, the flares create a spectacular display of bright, burning trails, commonly referred to as angel wings, due to their shape when released in a defensive maneuver. NOW YOU KNOW!
Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 24.5s Reel ·
The write-up
An AC-130 releasing flares can trace the shape of wings. The flares decoy heat-seeking missiles.
- Exhibit A
Aircraft
Ground-attack C-130 variant.
- Exhibit B
Era
Late 1960s, Vietnam War.
- Exhibit C
Flares
Decoy heat-seeking missiles.
- Exhibit D
Pattern
Can resemble wings.
- Exhibit E
Operator
U.S. Air Force.
Questions people ask about Angel of Death
What aircraft is the AC-130 based on?
Transport.
Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Aircraft) · Wikipedia: Lockheed AC-130
What do flares decoy?
Infrared.
Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Era) · Wikipedia: Lockheed AC-130
When was it first used?
Vietnam War.
Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Flares) · Wikipedia: Flare (countermeasure)
What can flare trails resemble?
Angel.
Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Pattern) · Wikipedia: Flare (countermeasure)
Who operates it?
Special operations.
Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Operator) · Wikipedia: Lockheed AC-130
Test Your Knowledge
All quizzes →5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.
What aircraft is the AC-130 based on?
- C-130 Hercules
- B-52
- F-16
- Boeing 747
Show the answer
Answer: A. C-130 Hercules Transport. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Aircraft) · Wikipedia: Lockheed AC-130
What do flares decoy?
- Heat-seeking missiles
- Radar only
- Birds
- Drones
Show the answer
Answer: A. Heat-seeking missiles Infrared. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Era) · Wikipedia: Lockheed AC-130
When was it first used?
- Late 1960s
- 1940s
- 2000s
- 1990s
Show the answer
Answer: A. Late 1960s Vietnam War. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Flares) · Wikipedia: Flare (countermeasure)
What can flare trails resemble?
- Wings
- Circles
- Letters
- Trees
Show the answer
Answer: A. Wings Angel. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Pattern) · Wikipedia: Flare (countermeasure)
Who operates it?
- U.S. Air Force
- Navy only
- Coast Guard
- NASA
Show the answer
Answer: A. U.S. Air Force Special operations. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Operator) · Wikipedia: Lockheed AC-130
Cite this case file
Easterling, Marcus. "Angel of Death." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-436, last updated Dec 21, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/angel-of-death/
Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/angel-of-death/ · Last updated
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