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Lockheed AC-130W Stinger II (MC-130W Dragon Spear)

2010 MODERN AIRCRAFT

History of Lockheed AC-130W Stinger II (MC-130W Dragon Spear)

The continued involvement of the United States in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq forced a renewed interest in providing effective close support fires to special forces members in 2007. By 2009, the United States Air Force (USAF) had committed to procuring AC-130J attack helicopters, but their arrival was still a long way off. Therefore, as an interim measure, it was decided to convert the existing MC-130W "Battle Spear" aerial tanker and transport aircraft (C-130H) into fixed-wing gunships.

L-3 Communications was commissioned to carry out the work in September 2010 and has since spawned another related transport branch in the long line of Lockheed C-130 Hercules - the MC-130W Dragon Spear (later renamed for the AC-130W "Stinger II").

Most of the changes are in the implementation of the "Precision Strike Package". This includes the installation of a 30mm Jungle II series GAU-23A Gatling cannon on the port side of the fuselage.

The precision-guided munitions system - "Gunslinger" - is also one of the key qualities of the design, adding "smart" munitions capabilities to the attack platform. The system allows the crew to fire successive missiles at the target on the fly through the fast launch tube.

Supported ordnance includes the Hellfire (AT) Anti-Tank Missile, Viper Strike Glide Bomb and the Griffin Light Missile family. Additional work added updated communications and sensor customization to complete the new aircraft.

Standard operating personnel will include two pilots, two Combat Systems Officers (CSM), a flight engineer and a pair of Special Mission Pilots (SMA).

Powered by 4 Allison T56-A-15 turboprop engines, each producing 4,300 hp, mounted on shoulder-mounted monoplane wings for excellent short take-off and landing (STOL) capability. Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) is 155,000 lbs.

It has a range of up to 2,500 nautical miles and a reported top speed of 300 mph.

In this camouflage, the MC-130W becomes a "Dragon Gun" - only 90 days from concept to flight (18 months from prototype to deployment). Eight modifications were initially received, and by September 2013, SOCOM's inventory was eventually increased to 12. The aircraft was first delivered to the Afghan theater in late 2010, and it was used against Taliban forces soon after.

The series is also used in Iraq and Operation Inner Resolve - the ongoing battle against the I.S.I.S. in Syria and Iraq.

In May 2012, the MC-130W Dragon Spear unit was renamed the AC-130W Stinger II. The Vietnam War (1955-1975) Fairchild AC-119 gunship platform was originally named "Stinger".

Specification

Basic

Year:

2010

Status:

active, on duty

Staff:

Production

[12 units] :

Lockheed Martin - USA

Roles

- Ground Attack

- Close Air Support (CAS)

- Special Forces

Dimensions

Length:

98. 43 feet (30 m)

Width:

131. 23 feet (40 m)

Height:

11.7m

Weight

Curb Weight:

35,000 kg

MTOW:

154,996 lbs (70,305 kg)

(difference: +77.834lb)

Performance

4 x Allison T56-A-15 turboprops, 4,300 SHP each, driving four-blade propeller units.

Performance

Maximum Speed:

300 mph (482 km/h; 260 knots)

Service Limit:

32,808 ft (10,000 m; 6.21 mi)

Maximum range:

2,877 miles (4,630 km; 2,500 nautical miles)

Rate of climb:

564 m/min

Armor

Typical:

1 x 30mm Bushmaster II GAU-23/A Gatling Gun.

Gunslinger Precision Guided Munitions Kit: Rapid Fire Tubes for 10 x GBU-44/B Viper Strike, AGM-176 Griffin or AGM-114 Hellfire missiles.

Changes

AC-130W "Stinger II" - name of the basic series

MC-130W "Dragon Spear" - original designation; MC-130W Combat Spear aircraft converted to fixed-wing gunship role as a temporary measure before delivery of AC-130J variant.