A Tribute to Lockheed's AC-130H/U Spectre/Spooky - The AC-130H's call sign is "Spectre." The AC-130U's call sign is "Spooky," and traces its history to the first operational gunship, the AC-47. The U-model is the third generation of C-130 gunships. The AC-130 gunship has a combat history dating to Vietnam. Gunships destroyed more than 10,000 trucks and were credited with many life-saving close air support missions.