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2015-09-01

AC-130J GHOSTRIDER – THE FUTURE

Ultimate battle plane moving from test to operational

Air Force Special Operations Command received their first AC-130J Ghostrider at Hurlburt Field, Florida last July. Operational testing and evaluation of the AC-130J begins later this year. The AC-130 flying gunship fleet is one of the most fabled and feared assets in the entire USAF inventory. Known for its ability to unleash a broadside of cannon fire in the dead of night, the newest of the AC-130 lot is more about smart bombs than raining lead and howitzer shells down on the enemy.

“Putting it through these tests will allow us to wring out the AC-130J in a simulated combat environment, instead of the more rigid flight profiles in formal developmental testing,” said Lt. Col. Brett DeAngelis, the 1st SOG Det. 2 commander. “Now that we know the equipment works when we turn it on, it’s our task to determine the best way to employ our newest asset.”
For most, the new gunship is the future.

“The AC-130J brings new technology to the table for AFSOC with more efficient engines, improved fuel efficiency and the ability to fly higher, further and quieter,” said Master Sgt. Michael Ezell, the 1st SOAMXS (Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron) production superintendent.

“Additionally, the modified weapons system it possesses is a precision strike package that was collected from the older models, such as the laser-guided bombs and AGM-176 Griffin bombs, and combined to give us all the capabilities of the AC-130W Stinger II and AC-130U Spooky all in one package.”

The AC-130J Ghostrider has an overall length of 29.3m, height of 11.9m and wingspan of 39.7m. It can operate at a maximum altitude of 28,000ft with a payload of 42,000lb. Its maximum take-off weight is 164,000lb.

Exciting transition

The AC-130J is a modified MC-130J Commando II, containing advanced features that will enable it to provide ground forces with an expeditionary, direct-fire platform that is persistent, suited for urban operations and capable of delivering precision munitions against ground targets.

“This is an exciting transition as we move the AC-130J from the test community to the operational community,” DeAngelis said. “While we still have initial operational testing in front of us to accomplish, it will now be done by aircrews selected for their combat expertise, instead of their testing background.”

A cadre of 60 aircrew and maintainers were selected by the Air Force Personnel Center to stand up the program, and there will be an additional 30 contractors to help work on the new gunship.

“We will be training on the airplane, getting all the qualifications and hands-on experience we need to be able to perform operational testing in order to give an exact picture of how this plane will operate in a real-world environment,” Ezell said. “Our focus right now is to learn how to maintain the aircraft and the operators will learn how to fly it and get ready for (initial operational test and evaluation), which should start later this year.”

“As more AC-130Js are produced and delivered, the older models will slowly be retired,” DeAngelis said. “Until then, we’ll hold on to them while the AC-130J completes operational tests and the fleet becomes abundant in numbers.”

Combat history

The AC-130J is the fourth generation gunship replacing the aging SOF fleet of 37 AC-130H/U/W gunships. AC-130 gunships have an extensive combat history dating to back to Vietnam where gunships destroyed more than 10,000 trucks and were credited with many life-saving close air support missions. Over the past four decades, AC-130s have deployed constantly to hotspots throughout the world in support of special operations and conventional forces. In South America, Africa, Europe and throughout the Middle East, gunships have significantly contributed to mission success.

The first MC-130J arrived at for conversion into AC-130J configuration in January 2013. The aircraft was officially named Ghostrider in May 2012.

The Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for the AC-130J programme was concluded in March 2013. The Operational Test Readiness Review (OTRR) and the Critical Design Review (CDR) were conducted in April 2013 and August 2013 respectively.

The initial operational capacity for 16 aircraft of the AC-130J Ghostrider fleet is scheduled for 2015, while the last delivery is scheduled for 2021.

The MC-130J Commando II is a special operations tanker aircraft manufactured by Lockheed Martin for the US Air Force Special Operations Command. The aircraft was officially named Ghostrider in May 2012.

The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) developed and installed the modular Precision Strike Package (PSP) for the aircraft. The armament kits under the PSP include a 30mm GAU-23 automatic side firing chain gun, a 105mm cannon, and Standoff Precision Guided Munitions (SOPGM) comprising wing-mounted GBU-39 small diameter bombs and AGM-176 Griffin laser-guided missiles. The internally mounted missiles can be launched through the rear cargo door.

The intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance equipments under the PSP include two electro optical/infrared sensors, an all weather synthetic aperture radar pod, a pilot helmet-mounted cueing system, and multiple video, data, and communication links. A dual-console Mission Operator Pallet within the cargo bay controls all the PSP subsystems. The aircraft is also equipped with advanced fire control equipment.

Strike operations

The hybrid AC-130J Ghostrider incorporates the flying proficiencies of the MC-130J and the air to ground combat capabilities of the AC-130. It will conduct continuous strike operations including close air support (CAS) for troops in contact, convoy escort and point air defence. The deep air support missions are executed against pre-planned targets and targets of opportunity.The aircraft is capable of air refuelling with the Universal Air Refueling Receptacle Slipway Installation (UARRSI) system, but is not fitted with the external hose-and-drogue pods used to refuel other aircraft.

The AC-130J Ghostrider’s primary missions are close air support and air interdiction. Close air support missions include troops in contact, convoy escort and point air defense. Air interdiction missions are conducted against preplanned targets or targets of opportunity and include strike coordination and reconnaissance.

The AC-130J will provide ground forces an expeditionary, direct-fire platform that is persistent, ideally suited for urban operations and delivers precision low-yield munitions against ground targets.

The AC-130J is a highly modified C-130J aircraft that contains many advanced features. It contains an advanced two-pilot flight station with fully integrated digital avionics. The aircraft is capable of extremely accurate navigation due to the fully integrated navigation systems with dual inertial navigation systems and global positioning system.

Aircraft defensive systems and color weather radar are integrated as well. The aircraft is capable of air refueling with the Universal Air Refueling Receptacle Slipway Installation system. To handle power requirements imposed by the advanced avionics and aircraft systems, the AC-130J is equipped with 60/90 kilo volt amp generators that provide increased DC electrical output.

The fourth generation gunship aircraft can accommodate two pilots, two combat systems officers, and three enlisted gunners. In anticipation of IR countermeasure installation, the aircraft is also designed to accommodate the Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) system.

Safety and protection

The AC-130J is fitted with AN/ALR-56M radar warning receiver, AN/AAR-47 (V) 2 missile warning system, and AN/ ALE- 47 countermeasures dispensing system for reducing susceptibility. The safety and protection systems of the aircraft include a fuel protection system from ullage explosion, redundant flight critical components, and QinetiQ’s Last lightweight composite armour system protecting the crew locations and oxygen supply areas from 7.62mm ball projectiles.

Additionally, the AC-130J is modified with a precision strike package, which includes a mission management console, robust communications suite, two electro-optical/infrared sensors, advanced fire control equipment, precision guided munitions delivery capability as well as trainable 30mm and 105mm weapons. The mission management system will fuse sensor, communication, environment, order of battle and threat information into a common operating picture.

The new AC-130J will have similar sensors to the AC-130W and a high-power synthetic aperture radar pod that can provide live targeting for SDB IIs and its other weaponry will be in its quiver. It will also feature helmet mounted sights for its pilots for enhanced situational awareness. All these systems can also be reverse upgraded into the AC-130W fleet down the line if need be.

The aircraft is fitted with four Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3 Turboprops with a thrust power of 3,458kW each. Each of the AE 2100D3 engines is 3.15m in length and 0.73m in diameter. The engines drive four six-bladed Dowty propellers.

The aircraft is equipped with 60/90KV amp generators providing increased direct current electrical output. The aircraft can reach a maximum distance of 3,000 miles without refuelling and can fly at a speed of 362kt at 22,000ft altitude.

Lockheed Martin will deliver 32 AC-130J Ghostrider aircraft to the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). Initial operational capacity is expected in fiscal 2017 and the last delivery is scheduled for fiscal 2021. The total investment for the AC-130J Ghostrider programme is estimated to reach $2.4bn•

Technical Specifications

Maiden Flight: January 2014

Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin

Length: 29.3m

Wingspan: 39.7m

Maximum: Takeoff Weight 164,000lb

Range: 3,000 miles

Speed: 362kt at 22,000ft altitude

Crew: Two pilots, two combat systems officers, and three enlisted gunners

Armament: Precision Strike Package (PSP) - 30mm GAU-23/A cannon; 105mm cannon and Standoff Precision Guided Munitions(SOPGM) ie. GBU-39 SmallDiameter Bomb (SDB) and the AGM-176 Griffin missile

Reference: Text/Photo

www.af.mil

www.airforce-technology.com

www.lockheedmartin.com

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