AC-130W Stinger II Aircraft 

Full Specifications

The AC-130W Stinger II is a specialized gunship variant developed for the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). Originally converted from MC-130W Combat Spear aircraft, it was redesignated AC-130W Stinger II in 2012 after integration of a roll-on/roll-off Precision Strike Package (PSP). This modification transformed it into a dedicated close air support (CAS) and air interdiction platform, bridging capabilities between lighter special operations aircraft and heavier traditional gunships like the AC-130U Spooky.

Manufacturer:

Lockheed Martin (airframe base on C-130H Hercules, with PSP modifications).

Speed and Range:

The aircraft achieves a maximum speed of approximately 300 knots (about 345 mph) and has an unrefueled range of around 2,500 nautical miles, extendable via aerial refueling but often limited by crew duty day requirements.

Cost/Price: Unit cost for the converted AC-130W was approximately $110 million (base aircraft) plus $39 million for the PSP upgrade, totaling roughly $149 million per aircraft.

The AC-130W Stinger II provides persistent, precision firepower in support of ground forces, particularly in urban and irregular warfare environments. Its side-firing armament allows orbiting over targets for sustained engagement. Key capabilities include advanced sensors for target acquisition, robust communications for coordination with joint forces, and a mix of direct-fire cannons and standoff precision-guided munitions (PGMs). It excels in CAS, armed overwatch, convoy escort, and interdiction missions, delivering low-yield, accurate strikes to minimize collateral damage.

The aircraft features two trainable cannons: a 30mm GAU-23/A Bushmaster II chain gun (capable of rapid fire with tracer-less options) and a 105mm cannon for heavier targets. It also carries PGMs such as the AGM-176 Griffin missile, GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb, and other standoff weapons. Avionics include electro-optical/infrared sensors, synthetic aperture radar, mission management consoles, and enhanced electronic warfare/countermeasures suites for threat detection and evasion.

Operated primarily by the 73rd Special Operations Squadron at Cannon AFB, New Mexico, the AC-130W supported operations in multiple theaters, providing critical fire support before its retirement from active duty around 2022, with roles transitioning to the more advanced AC-130J Ghostrider.