Joint Fires Observer (JFO) Course Practice Test

The GAU-23 'Bushmaster' is located on the AC-130W on which side?

Located on the left side just aft of the wing Located on the right side near the tail Mounted on the bottom of the fuselage Mounted on the top of the nose

Correct Answer:

Located on the left side just aft of the wing

Explanation:

The gun is placed on the left (port) side of the AC-130W, just aft of the wing. This fixed side-mounted arrangement gives a stable, unobstructed firing arc to the left as the aircraft cruises parallel to its target, which is ideal for a gunship that engages targets from the side. Positioning the GAU-23 here keeps the muzzle clear of major surfaces and avoids pointing the gun toward the aircraft itself, while still allowing the crew to observe and control the firing run effectively. Mounting the gun on the right side near the tail, or on the bottom, or on the top of the nose, would not provide the same left-side firing geometry or practical firing envelope, so they’re not used for this configuration.

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