Archives

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.

AC-130U Spooky Gunship

The AC-130U Spooky II is a heavily armed ground-attack aircraft derived from the C-130 Hercules transport plane. Developed to provide precise, sustained firepower in support of ground troops, this gunship excels in close air support (CAS), air interdiction, and force protection missions. First introduced in 1995, the AC-130U represented a significant upgrade over earlier models, incorporating advanced sensors, fire control systems, and increased ammunition capacity. Its side-firing configuration allows it to circle targets at low altitudes, delivering accurate strikes day or night, even in adverse weather. Primarily used by U.S. Special Operations Forces, the AC-130U has been deployed in conflicts like Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, where its ability to loiter for hours and engage multiple targets simultaneously proved invaluable. Equipped with a 25mm Gatling gun, 40mm cannon, and 105mm howitzer, it combines overwhelming firepower with sophisticated avionics for surgical precision. Despite its retirement in 2020, the AC-130U’s legacy endures in modern variants like the AC-130J Ghostrider.

Manufacturer

Built on the Lockheed C-130H airframe, the AC-130U was modified by Boeing (formerly Rockwell) to integrate gunship capabilities. Lockheed Martin handled the base aircraft production, while Boeing managed the weapons, sensors, and fire control integrations. This collaboration ensured the platform’s robustness, drawing from the proven Hercules design used extensively by the U.S. military since the 1950s.

Speed and Range

The AC-130U achieves a maximum speed of 300 mph (Mach 0.4) at sea level, powered by four Allison T56-A-15 turboprop engines. Its cruise speed supports extended loiter times over targets. The aircraft’s range is approximately 1,300 nautical miles without refueling, but aerial refueling extends this indefinitely, limited only by crew endurance. This capability allows for long-duration missions, often exceeding seven hours, making it ideal for persistent surveillance and support in remote operational areas.

AC-130U Spooky Gunship Price

The unit cost of the AC-130U is approximately $210 million, reflecting its advanced modifications, including precision weaponry and sensor suites. This price tag encompasses the base C-130 airframe conversion, armament installation, and avionics upgrades. For U.S. defense budgets, it represented a high-value investment in special operations, though costs could vary with inflation and specific configurations.

The AC-130U’s operational prowess stems from its all-weather, day-night targeting systems, including infrared and low-light TV sensors, enabling strikes with minimal collateral damage. In urban environments, its ability to engage two targets at once with varying ordnance levels minimized risks to friendly forces. However, its large size and low-altitude operations made it vulnerable to anti-aircraft threats, necessitating escort or nighttime use. Post-retirement, lessons from the AC-130U inform next-generation gunships, emphasizing endurance and firepower for asymmetric warfare.