AC-130J Ghostrider
The AC-130J Ghostrider is a new addition to Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)'s arsenal. The Ghostrider, which is currently under development, is a gunship created by adding a weapons package to a MC-130J Commando II aircraft. The aircraft is earmarked to eventually replace current AC-130H gunships.
AC-130J Systems
The weapons kit is essentially the same as that found on the AC-130W Stinger II, namely the Precision Strike Package (PSP). This is a modular package which can see a variety of air-to-ground armaments fitted. These include:
- Wing-mounted GBU-39 Small-Diameter Bombs (SDB's)
- Bushmaster II Mk44 30mm gun
- Gunslinger weapons system featuring an internally-housed launch tube capable of deploying up to 10 GBU-44/B Viper Strike or Griffin small standoff munitions
Later iterations of the AC-130J weapons package may include a 105mm howitzer, as can be found on existing AC-130H/U models, and wing-mounted laser-guide AGM-114 Hellfire missiles.
The Precision Strike Package also features an array of sensors and targetting systems:
- A dual-console mission operator pallet fitted in the cargo bay
- 2 x dual electro-optical infrared sensor pods
- synthetic aperture radar pod
- pilot helmet-mounted cueing system
- advanced communication suite
Aside from the addtion of the PSP, the Ghostrider is almost identical to the Commando II it derives from. One difference is that while the AC-130J maintains the MC-130J's ability to refuel from airborne tankers it loses the ability to refuel others.
One important difference between the AC-130J and existing AC-130U gunships is in the realm of armor. The AC-130U Spooky has armor designed to protect crew and critical systems from a strike from a 37 mm high-explosive incendiary at a range of 10,000 feet. The MC-130J, on the other hand, only protects crew stations (excluding the mission operator pallet) and oxygen systems from 7.62mm ball rounds at 100 meters range. Such armor may exclude the Ghostrider from certain low level operations.
AC-130J Ghostrider- Role
The AC-130J will fly close air support (CAS), armed reconnaissance and air interdiction missions. These may include providing on-call CAS to special ops or regular ground forces. The aircraft may also fly base defense missions and convoy escort operations.
AC-130J Ghostrider Operational History
The first MC-130J was sent for modification to AC-130J standard in January 2013 and had its first test flight in March 2014. A total of 32 MC-130Js will be converted to AC-130Js. The first operational AC0130J should take to the skies in 2017.
