Lockheed Martin AC-130J Ghostrider - New US Air Force Air Support Plane
Lockheed Martin AC-130J Ghost Rider
By 2022, the US Air Force Special Operations Command plans to introduce 37 new combat air support aircraft, designated the AC-130J Ghostrider, into service. Unlike previous models, they will carry guided aircraft weapons such as hover bombs and air-to-ground missiles. The ambitious plan includes equipping them with laser weapons and disposable reconnaissance drones.
In 2010, the United States Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) was equipped with eight AC-130H Specter gunships and 17 AC-130U Spooky II gunships. The plan then was to buy a new platform that would eventually replace both the worn out AC-130H and eventually the younger AC-130U. At that time, the United States Air Force (USAF), together with the ground forces, participated in a joint program for the purchase of Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft (JCA - Joint Cargo Aircraft). AFSOC was leaning toward building a cheaper version of the warship called the AC-27J Stinger II at their base. Ultimately, however, with the withdrawal of the US Air Force from the JCA program, the idea of buying smaller twin-engine warships also failed.
As a transitional solution, it was then decided to adapt 14 special-purpose transport aircraft of the MC-130W Combat Spear type for use as warships. AFSOC used the experience of the Marine Corps (USMC) in the implementation of the HARVEST Hawk program. As part of it, the Marine Corps has developed a modular package, thanks to which the KC-130J tanker aircraft can be adapted to perform air support missions at short notice.
The MC-130W is equipped with the so-called Precision Strike Package (PSP). The PSP package consists of one ATK GAU-23/A 30mm port cannon (an upgraded version of the ATK Mk 44 Bushmaster II cannon), two underwing pylons, a Gunslinger system (a ten-barreled launcher mounted on the rear loading ramp of the aircraft) mounted under the left chamber landing gear main head infrared guidance system
AN/AAQ-38 FLIR and BMS (Battle Management System). The Gunslinger launcher allows you to carry high-precision weapons, commonly known as SOPGM (Stand-off Precision Guided Munitions), that is, AGM-175 Griffin missiles and GBU-44 / B Viper Strike glide bombs. On underwing pylons, the MC-130W can carry eight AGM-114 Hallfire guided missiles and/or eight GBU-39 SDB precision bombs. The AC-130W has also been adapted to work with the JHMCS II (Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System) helmet-mounted aiming system. The PSP-equipped MC-130W Combat Spear was originally called the AC-130W Dragon Spear, however they were officially named Stinger II in May 2012.
The last of fourteen AC-130Ws was received by AFSOC in September 2013. The commissioning of the AC-130W aircraft made it possible to gradually withdraw the old
AS-130N (the last one was withdrawn in May 2015) and replenishment of the AS-130U fleet. However, the targeted decision was to purchase an entirely new platform that would replace both the AC-130U and the "interim" AC-130W.
Ghost rider
The latest combat helicopters were built on the basis of brand new Hercules for special tasks MC-130J Commando II. These aircraft began to enter service in September 2011. The $2,4 billion contract signed with Lockheed Martin provides for the purchase of 32 MC-130J aircraft, which will be designated AC-130J when converted into warship roles. Ultimately, the purchasing pool was increased to 37 pieces. MC-130J conversion to AC-130J standard is done at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.
In May 2012, the new warship received the official name Ghostrider. The Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for the AC-103J program was completed in March 2103. The aircraft passed the Operational Test Readiness Review (OTRR) and Final Critical Design Review (CRT) the following month. The first AC-130J took off on 31 January 2014.
The Ghostrider is 29,8 m long, 11,8 m high and has a wingspan of 40,4 m. It can reach a maximum ceiling of 8500 m with a load of 21 tons. Max takeoff weight
AC-130J weighs 74 kg. The aircraft is powered by four Rolls-Royce AE 390 D2100 turboprop engines developing 3 kW each. The engines are equipped with six-bladed Dowty propellers. Cruising speed - 3458 km / h, while the range of the aircraft (without refueling in the air) - 660 km. The Ghostrider can refuel in the air thanks to the UARRSI (Ubiversal Aerial Receptacle Slipway Installation) rigid boom refueling system. The aircraft is equipped with electric generators with a capacity of 5500/48 kW, which provide a surplus of direct current, which makes it possible to carry out possible modernization and modification of the aircraft in the future.
