The AC-130J is AFSOC’s primary CAS, air interdiction, and armed reconnaissance platform optimized for convoy escort, point defense, and supporting urban combat.
The next-generation gunship is designed to provide ground forces a persistent direct-fire platform and is based on a highly modified MC-130J. Airframes are retrofitted after delivery with the modular Precision Strike Package, wing-mounted weapons, and gunship-specific systems.
The initial aircraft delivered was damaged beyond repair when it crashed during a test sortie on April 21, 2015. Ghostrider deployed to combat for the first time in Afghanistan in June 2019.
AC-130Js are upgraded and managed in common with the HC/MC-130J, and are receiving Block 8.1 avionics upgrades along with the baseline C-130J. SOF-specific enhancements are rapidly developed and integrated in response to operational requirements. The aircraft’s PSP weapons system, initially developed on the AC-130W, includes a dual mission management console, robust communications suite, two EO/IR sensors, advanced fire-control equipment, PGM delivery capability, and trainable cannons.
Block 20 added/retrofitted a 105 mm gun, laser-guided SDB, side-facing pilot tactical HUD, and Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM). Block 20+/30 improved gun accuracy, hardened GPS, and added Hellfire missile and Small Glide Munition as a result of lessons learned in operational testing. The first Block 30 was delivered for testing in 2019 and fleetwide retrofit is planned by FY25, with two aircraft funded in FY23. Lockheed Martin delivered the first Airborne High Energy Laser (AHEL) weapon in October 2021, which it plans to test on the AC-130J.
Ongoing upgrades include re-engineering and modernization of the 105 mm gun, installation of engine IR Suppression System (IRSS), radio frequency countermeasures (RFCM) to detect, locate, and respond to threats, defensive systems upgrades, and HF/VHF/UHF/SATCOM suite modernization.
The AC-130J fully replaced the AC-130U/W with the retirement of the last AC-130W on July 13, 2022, completing AFOSC’s gunship recapitalization effort. AFSOC recently reduced its planned buy from 37 to 30 aircraft, making the aircraft delivered to Cannon Nov. 2, 2022, the final AC-130J. AFSOC plans to shift AC-130J formal training from Hurlburt to Kirtland were delayed a year to FY23.
Contractors: Lockheed Martin, Sierra Nevada Corp (RFCM).
First Flight: Jan. 31, 2014.
Delivered: July 29, 2015-present.
IOC: Sept. 30, 2017.
Production: 31.
Inventory: 29.
Operator: AFSOC; Planned: AETC.
Aircraft Location: Hurlburt Field, Fla.; Cannon AFB, N.M. Planned: Kirtland AFB, N.M.
Active Variants: •AC-130J Ghostrider Block 20. Production standard gunship with additional 105 mm gun. •AC-130J Ghostrider Block 30. Production aircraft with post operational test upgrades.
Dimensions: Span 132.6 ft, length 97.7 ft, height 39.1 ft.
Weight: Max T-O 164,000 lb.
Power Plant: Four Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3 turboprops, each 4,700 shp.
Performance: Speed 416 mph, range 3,000 miles (farther with air refueling).
Ceiling: 28,000 ft.
Armament: Trainable 30 mm GAU-23/A cannon; 105 mm cannon; up to eight wing pylon-mounted GBU-39 SDB or AGM-114 Hellfire; aft-firing GBU69B Small Glide Munition or AGM-176 Griffin (deployed from 10 Common Launch Tubes integrated into the aircraft’s ramp/door).
Accommodation: Two pilots, CSO, WSO, sensor operator, loadmaster, and three gunners.