You’ve probably spent hours circling Fort Zancudo. Everyone has. You’re looking for that massive, four-engine shadow on the tarmac. In the world of Grand Theft Auto V, the GTA V AC 130—formally known in-game as the RM-10 Bombushka or the Titan, depending on who you ask—is the "white whale" for players who want to rain down absolute hell from the clouds. But there is a lot of misinformation floating around about what this plane actually is and how you get your hands on the "real" gunship version.
It’s frustrating. Rockstar Games has a habit of teasing us with high-tier military hardware that doesn’t always behave the way it does in the movies. If you’re looking for a literal "AC-130" by name, you won't find it. What you will find is a weird mix of Cold War Soviet aesthetics and modern American firepower that honestly feels a bit clunky until you upgrade it.
The Identity Crisis of the Bombushka
Let's get one thing straight: the plane most people call the GTA V AC 130 is the RO-86 Alkonost or the RM-10 Bombushka. The Bombushka is the one that actually fits the "gunship" vibe. It’s based on the Antonov An-12, but it plays the role of the AC-130 Spectre. You buy it from Warstock Cache & Carry. It’ll set you back roughly $5.9 million, or $4.4 million if you’ve finished the right Smuggler’s Run missions.
That is a lot of Shark Cards.
The problem? Out of the box, the Bombushka is kind of a slug. It’s slow. Like, "getting passed by a delivery scooter" slow. If you don't have friends to man the turrets, you're basically a giant, flying target for any kid with an Oppressor Mk II. The "gunship" moniker comes from the three remote-controlled turrets. These aren't just peashooters; they are 30mm explosive cannons. When you have a full crew, the GTA V AC 130 experience finally clicks. One person flies, one covers the rear, one handles the top, and another takes the nose. It becomes a flying fortress that can level an entire street in Los Santos in seconds.
Why the Titan Isn't the AC 130 You Want
New players often mistake the Titan for the GTA V AC 130. It looks the part. It’s got the four props and the military paint. You can even find it sitting at the airport or the military base for free. But the Titan is a transport plane. It’s a C-130 Hercules, not an AC-130.
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In the vanilla version of GTA Online, the Titan has zero weapons. You can’t shoot from it. You can’t drop bombs from it. It’s basically a school bus with wings.
I’ve seen dozens of threads where people get salty because they spent time stealing a Titan thinking they could use it to grief a lobby, only to realize they are defenseless. If you want the gunship experience, you have to pay the premium for the Bombushka or use mods in single-player. There is no middle ground here. Rockstar gated the heavy artillery behind a multi-million dollar paywall for a reason.
The Infamous Cargo Bay Nerf
A few years ago, Rockstar did something that still makes the community's blood boil. You used to be able to put vehicles inside the Bombushka’s cargo bay. You’d get a friend to drive a Khanjali tank into the back, fly over the city, and drop a tank from 5,000 feet. It was peak GTA chaos.
Then came the nerf.
Now, if you add certain upgrades—like the JATO (Jet Assisted Take-Off) or the turrets—an invisible wall appears in the cargo bay. You can’t put cars in there anymore. To use the GTA V AC 130 as a vehicle transport, you have to keep it "stock," which means no weapons. It’s a bizarre "either-or" situation that honestly feels like a missed opportunity for fun.
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How to Actually Use the AC 130 Effectively
If you’re going to fly the GTA V AC 130 in a public lobby, you’re basically asking for a fight. The plane has a massive hit box. You aren't dodging missiles in this thing. Your only real defense is the armor upgrades and your turret gunners.
- Fly High: Stay at the ceiling. Most players on the ground won't even see you on their mini-map if you’re high enough, but your gunners can still zoom in and cause havoc.
- The JATO Secret: Don't skip the Jet Assisted Take-Off. The Bombushka needs a long runway. Without JATO, you're going to end up in the water at the end of the LSIA runway more often than not.
- Thermal Scopes: If your gunners use thermal, it's game over for anyone on the ground. Players show up as bright orange dots against a cold blue city. You can snipe people from miles away.
Honestly, the GTA V AC 130 is a niche tool. It’s for crews. If you’re a solo player, you’re better off getting a P-996 Lazer or a Raiju. Those are fast. The Bombushka is a statement piece. It says, "I have too much money and three friends who like blowing stuff up."
Mods: The Only Way to Get a Real Spectre
If you are playing on PC and you’re sick of the "fake" versions, the modding community has already fixed this. There are actual AC-130 mods that import the real-world Lockheed model into the game. These mods include the specific 25mm Gatling gun, the 40mm Bofors cannon, and the 105mm M102 howitzer.
Playing with a modded GTA V AC 130 feels like a completely different game. It’s more like Call of Duty: Death From Above than Grand Theft Auto. But remember, don't try taking those mods into GTA Online. You’ll get banned before your wheels leave the tarmac. Keep the real military hardware in the single-player sandbox.
The Costs Nobody Mentions
Beyond the $5 million sticker price, you have to own a Hangar. You can't just park a GTA V AC 130 in your garage. A decent hangar in Fort Zancudo will run you another $2 million to $3 million. Then you have the upgrades. Turrets, armor, engine tuning, and liveries. You are looking at a $9 million investment just to have a plane that moves slower than a crop duster.
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Is it worth it?
If you want to recreate military operations with your friends, yes. If you’re trying to "win" at GTA Online, probably not. The meta has shifted toward smaller, faster, more agile vehicles. The era of the giant bomber is mostly for show.
Actionable Steps for Aspiring Pilots
If you're determined to own the skies, start by grinding the Cayo Perico heist. It’s still the fastest way to get the millions required for the GTA V AC 130. Once you have the cash, buy the Fort Zancudo Hangar 3499. This gives you low-level clearance so the military doesn't shoot you down every time you fly home.
When you finally buy the Bombushka, don't max it out immediately. Try the stock version first to see if you actually enjoy the flight mechanics. It’s heavy. It turns like a boat. If you hate the way it feels, you’ve saved yourself millions in upgrades. If you love it, get your friends in a Discord call, assign turret roles, and head to downtown Los Santos. Just keep an eye out for those pesky orbital cannons.