Lockheed AC-130J Ghostrider

History of the Lockheed AC-130J Ghostrider

Close Air Support (CAS) platforms have been an integral part of warfare since World War I (1914-1918), And there have been significant changes since then. This type proved its worth in combat after World War II (1939-1945) and was modernized for use in the Vietnam War (1955-1975), with American gunboats roaming the air to support ground troops. Ultimately, one of the major assets of the USAF and its associated special forces became the AC-130, which was built on the proven framework of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules four-engine transport aircraft.

The AC-130 eventually developed in the air through several well-known brands - primarily the AC-130A, E and H "Ghosts", AC-130U "Ghosts" and AC-130W "Stinger II" - all of which are others on this site Place details.

As an aging platform, the AC-130 series should finally be modernized and come in the form of the all-new AC-130J "Ghostrider". With an improved AC-130W Stinger II platform, including infrared (IR) and electro-optical (EO) sensors, a 105mm field howitzer, and support for external precision-guided and conventional weapons, Ghost Rider's system was tested in operating conditions over Afghanistan. Enhanced airdrops.

This eventually laid the groundwork for the following official AC-130J production brand (named "Ghostrider" in May 2012) - development testing completed in June 2015 and initial operational capability with the USAF on September 30, 2017 (IOC) fleet of six aircraft and will have a full fleet of 32 aircraft by the end of 2021.

The US Air Force AC-130J is tasked with armed reconnaissance and direct attack in support of ground forces that often operate in the vicinity of Allied forces. These are fourth-generation Warriors who successfully converted earlier C-130s into fixed-wing attack helicopters that have been in continuous operation for nearly 40 years, beginning with service in the Vietnam conflict. The firepower on these platforms allows vehicles, structures, and force concentrations to be targeted with high precision from thousands of feet in the air under most operating conditions.

This allows Ghostrider to operate with the same lethality behind low light, clouds and smoke, and in densely populated urban areas. The aircraft is equipped with state-of-the-art digital systems, including integrated navigation with GPS, aerial refueling, color weather radar and a full suite of protected communications.

The aircraft supports the "Precision Strike Package" which allows for extensive weapons support and a high level of tracking and targeting to pair it with an onboard 30mm autocannon and 105mm field howitzer. In addition, there are plans to manufacture precision-guided bombs, bomb-dropping and air-launched missiles.

The basic form and function of the AC-130 remains in the Model J. The aircraft relies on a shoulder-mounted main aircraft to provide excellent stability and handling at low altitudes. The flight deck is located above and aft of the blunt cone, using a single vertical fin at the stern as well as a lower level. The empennage is raised to allow access to the fuselage via the power loading ramp. Each main-wing aircraft is fitted with a Rolls-Royce AE2100D3 turboprop engine, each delivering 4,700 and driving the four-bladed propeller blades.

Fuel tanks were mounted under the wings between the engine nacelles. Ground handling is via a short-legged multi-wheeled tricycle arrangement, which makes the aircraft look very squat at rest.

Ballistic weapons are located on the port side of the fuselage - the aircraft hovers below the target like a hunting shark.

Compared to the previous AC-130 brand, the Model J reduces operating weight, improves overall performance, and expands the range of weapon support, with a range of up to 3,000 miles when operating from ceilings approaching 30,000 feet.

The AC-130J has seen mass adoption in spring 2019 as the last USAF special mission AC-130U retired in August 2019. Since then, the J-type has been in service in Afghanistan.

Specification

Basics

Years in Service

2017

Origins

United States

Status

Active.

Limited service.

Crew

13

Production

32

Manufacturer

Lockheed Martin - USA

Operators

United States

Roles

Ground attack (bombing, strafing)

The ability to conduct air strikes against ground targets using (but not limited to) artillery, bombs, rockets, rockets, etc.

Disable support (CAS)

Designed to operate near active ground elements with a wide range of air-to-surface weapon and ammunition options.

Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR), reconnaissance

Monitor ground targets/target areas to assess surrounding threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.

Special Forces

Serve special forces/special operations forces and missions.

Dimensions and Weight

Length

96. 1 ft

(29.30m)

Width/span

130. 2 feet

(39.70m)

Height

39. 0 feet

(11.90m)

MTOW

164,244 lbs

(74,500 kg)

Performance

Installed:

Four 4,700 hp Rolls-Royce AE2100D3 turboprop engines, each driving a four-bladed propeller unit.

Maximum speed

416 km/h

(670 km/h | 362 kn)

Maximum

28,002 feet

(8,535 m | 5 km)

Area

3,001 km

(4,830 km | 8,945 nautical miles)

Range (MPH) Subsonic: <614mph | Transonic: 614-921 | Supersonic: 921-3836 | Hypersonic: 3836-7673 | Hypersonic: 7673-19180 | Reentry: > 19030

Weapon

Standard: 1 x 30mm ATK GAU-23/A Gatling Autocannon. 1 x 105mm M102 Field Howitzer. Optional: Supports the "Gunslinger" weapon system, which can use AGM-176 "Griffin" missiles and GBU-44/B "Viper Strike" precision-guided bombs.

External BRU-61/A racks installed: AGM-114 Hellfire Anti-Tank Missile (ATGM), GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) and GBU-53/B SDB II series bombs.