USAF to Retire AC-130H Spectre Gunships Over the Next Two Years

[Manticore]

USAF to Retire AC-130H Spectre Gunships Over the Next Two Years
Published: Fri February 7th, 2014 via: US Air Force
USAF to Retire AC-130H Spectre Gunships Over the Next Two Years :: Air-Attack.com News

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- After more than 40 years of providing close air support, air interdiction and force protection for special operations forces, the preparation for the eventual retirement and phase out of the AC-130H Spectre, recognized as "world's deadliest conventional weapon" by the Military Channel and Fox News, has begun.

With only eight AC-130H Spectre gunships in existence, it is safe to say that over the last several decades, while playing such a significant role in every major conflict since the Vietnam War era, they have endured more than their fair share of wear and tear. The men and women of the 16th Aircraft Maintenance Unit have had the sole responsibility of inspecting, repairing and maintaining these gunships throughout their tenure at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., and even since they served in Vietnam. Having spent nearly each day with these Spectre gunships to ensure its operability, it is fitting that those same Air Commandos would be the ones to prepare these aircraft to be laid to rest.


Technicians remove a 105 mm blast diffuser from the AC-130H Spectre
Source: US Air Force
Click to expand
Along with various other agencies within the 27th Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, the 202 members of the 16 AMU have been working diligently to demilitarize each aircraft, which including all modifications, is worth more than $200 million. While juggling real-world mission requirements, these maintainers dedicated additional hours each day to ensure the necessary tasks were completed.

"Two of the eight aircraft will be static displays, one at Hurlburt Field, Fla., and the other will be kept at Cannon," explained Master Sgt. Stephen White, 27 SOAMXS lead production superintendent. "The remaining six will be transported to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., and kept in the aircraft boneyard. The members of the 16 AMU have to prepare each aircraft through demilitarization before they are taken to either location."

Although each aircraft will be brought to its final resting place over the next two years, the memories and legacy will live on in those whom have deployed with, navigated and taken care of the Air Force Special Operations Command community's workhorse. The Air Commandos are eternally grateful to the maintainers who turn wrenches, troubleshoot hydraulics systems, and ensure the gunships stay in the air each day to make more than "40 years of zoomin' and boomin'" with the AC-130H Spectre gunship possible.

 

[illuminatidinesh]

 

[Oldman1]

Yeah its sad, but they were old. Going to be replaced by new units.

 

[janon]

Yeah its sad, but they were old. Going to be replaced by new units.

Replaced by which aircraft?

 

[IndoUS]

Yeah its sad, but they were old. Going to be replaced by new units.

Will it be the same platform or are they going for a completely new aircraft?

 

[Oldman1]

Will it be the same platform or are they going for a completely new aircraft?

Same platform. Its called AC130J Ghostrider.

In short its a gunship with missiles and bombs besides cannon and guns.

Don't have any videos of it in action yet because its new. But they have tested on Marine Corp's Harvest HAWK which gives you an idea what it will be like when armed with missiles and bombs.

New AC-130J completes first test flight

2/7/2014 - EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- After more than a year of modification maintenance, the newly created AC-130J Ghostrider took to the skies for the first time as a gunship here Jan. 31.

In early Jan 2013, the Air Force Special Operations Command MC-130J arrived here to begin the modification process with the goal of creating a "best of both worlds" aircraft. The end result became a 'hybrid' C-130 model with the flying proficiencies of the MC-130J and the combat capabilities of an AC-130.

The modification was done here because the AC-130J test team and test program are located at Eglin.

"After the modification was completed, the aircraft could remain here where we could take it out for the first flight. That's why Eglin was the best choice," said Maj. Brian Taliaferro, the aircraft commander for the flight.

Converting a mobility aircraft into a strike aircraft meant adding some hardware. That came in the form of the Precision Strike Package, which was developed by USSOCOM to support ground forces in overseas contingency operations.

"These new weapon systems and small diameter bombs provide over watch and further standoff distance to cover a wider range of space for our warfighters on the ground," said Maj. Eric Ripple, U.S. Special Operations Command Detachment 1 commander.

The Precision Strike Package includes dual electro-optical infrared sensors, a 30-mm cannon, AGM-176A Griffin missiles, all-weather synthetic aperture radar and GBU-39 small diameter bomb capabilities. The sensors allow the gunship to visually or electronically identify friendly ground forces and targets at any time, even in adverse weather.

Pairing weapons with a networked battle management system, enhanced communications and situational awareness upgrades the J-Model's ability to deliver surgical firepower.

"We get the successes of the Precision Strike Package and marry it up with the advantages of the J-model bringing the best two C-130s together in a new weapons system," said Todd McGinnis, USSOCOM Det. 1 AC-130J modification manager.

The aircrew from Eglin's 413th Flight Test Squadron took the new aircraft out for its first official sortie. The 413th FLTS is the lead participating test organization for the developmental testing of the AC-130J.

"As with any new or highly modified aircraft, the initial goal is to ensure the aircraft design or modification does not adversely affect the flying and handling qualities," said Taliaferro. "We have dedicated six flights at the beginning of the test program to accomplish this task."

To be involved with a first flight is rare in the test pilot community, but they are trained to accomplish a mission like this, according to Taliaferro. "He said it's rewarding when the training leads to a successful, smooth flight like this one."

"The flight went excellent," said the major. "We met our primary objective, which was to clear the envelope sufficiently to allow for a safe landing."

To do this, after takeoff, the aircrew left the landing gear and flaps down until reaching a safe altitude. They incrementally slowed the aircraft to touchdown speed, checking the flying and handling qualities at each speed. The 413th crew also completed multiple swings of the landing gear to ensure it had proper clearance with the new modifications. They also performed flying and handling quality assurance tests during the three and a half hour flight.

"This is a big accomplishment not just for the AC-130J test team and the 413th FLTS, but also for the 96th Test Wing, who provided many pivotal support functions to make this flight a success," said Taliaferro.

A total of 32 MC-130J aircraft will be modified for AFSOC as part of a $2.4 billion AC-130J program to grow the future fleet, according to Capt. Greg Sullivan, USSOCOM Det. 1 AC-130J on-site program manager.

 

[illuminatidinesh]

Yeah its sad, but they were old. Going to be replaced by new units.

The beauty of watching this bird in action is none compared to any other ...... Missiles yes but ? Anyway logic prevails as u said.

 

[Nishan_101]

Same platform. Its called AC130J Ghostrider.

In short its a gunship with missiles and bombs besides cannon and guns.

Don't have any videos of it in action yet because its new. But they have tested on Marine Corp's Harvest HAWK which gives you an idea what it will be like when armed with missiles and bombs.

New AC-130J completes first test flight

2/7/2014 - EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- After more than a year of modification maintenance, the newly created AC-130J Ghostrider took to the skies for the first time as a gunship here Jan. 31.

In early Jan 2013, the Air Force Special Operations Command MC-130J arrived here to begin the modification process with the goal of creating a "best of both worlds" aircraft. The end result became a 'hybrid' C-130 model with the flying proficiencies of the MC-130J and the combat capabilities of an AC-130.

The modification was done here because the AC-130J test team and test program are located at Eglin.

"After the modification was completed, the aircraft could remain here where we could take it out for the first flight. That's why Eglin was the best choice," said Maj. Brian Taliaferro, the aircraft commander for the flight.

Converting a mobility aircraft into a strike aircraft meant adding some hardware. That came in the form of the Precision Strike Package, which was developed by USSOCOM to support ground forces in overseas contingency operations.

"These new weapon systems and small diameter bombs provide over watch and further standoff distance to cover a wider range of space for our warfighters on the ground," said Maj. Eric Ripple, U.S. Special Operations Command Detachment 1 commander.

The Precision Strike Package includes dual electro-optical infrared sensors, a 30-mm cannon, AGM-176A Griffin missiles, all-weather synthetic aperture radar and GBU-39 small diameter bomb capabilities. The sensors allow the gunship to visually or electronically identify friendly ground forces and targets at any time, even in adverse weather.

Pairing weapons with a networked battle management system, enhanced communications and situational awareness upgrades the J-Model's ability to deliver surgical firepower.

"We get the successes of the Precision Strike Package and marry it up with the advantages of the J-model bringing the best two C-130s together in a new weapons system," said Todd McGinnis, USSOCOM Det. 1 AC-130J modification manager.

The aircrew from Eglin's 413th Flight Test Squadron took the new aircraft out for its first official sortie. The 413th FLTS is the lead participating test organization for the developmental testing of the AC-130J.

"As with any new or highly modified aircraft, the initial goal is to ensure the aircraft design or modification does not adversely affect the flying and handling qualities," said Taliaferro. "We have dedicated six flights at the beginning of the test program to accomplish this task."

To be involved with a first flight is rare in the test pilot community, but they are trained to accomplish a mission like this, according to Taliaferro. "He said it's rewarding when the training leads to a successful, smooth flight like this one."

"The flight went excellent," said the major. "We met our primary objective, which was to clear the envelope sufficiently to allow for a safe landing."

To do this, after takeoff, the aircrew left the landing gear and flaps down until reaching a safe altitude. They incrementally slowed the aircraft to touchdown speed, checking the flying and handling qualities at each speed. The 413th crew also completed multiple swings of the landing gear to ensure it had proper clearance with the new modifications. They also performed flying and handling quality assurance tests during the three and a half hour flight.

"This is a big accomplishment not just for the AC-130J test team and the 413th FLTS, but also for the 96th Test Wing, who provided many pivotal support functions to make this flight a success," said Taliaferro.

A total of 32 MC-130J aircraft will be modified for AFSOC as part of a $2.4 billion AC-130J program to grow the future fleet, according to Capt. Greg Sullivan, USSOCOM Det. 1 AC-130J on-site program manager.

India is not only interested in buying a total of 30+ C-130J but also a good deal of AC-130J from US. I think So!!!!

 

[Oldman1]

India is not only interested in buying a total of 30+ C-130J but also a good deal of AC-130J from US. I think So!!!!

India wants to buy the aircraft?