AC-130W Stinger II

Mission
The AC-130W Stinger II primary missions are close air support and air interdiction. Close air support missions include troops in contact, convoy escort and point air defense. Air interdiction missions are conducted against preplanned targets or targets of opportunity and include strike coordination and reconnaissance. The AC-130W Stinger II Precision Strike Package modification provides ground forces an expeditionary, persistent direct-fires platform that delivers precision low-yield munitions, ideally suited for close air support and urban operations.

Features
The aircraft is a highly modified C-130H featuring improved navigation, threat detection, countermeasures and communication suites. All AC-130W aircraft are modified with a precision strike package to perform the gunship mission.

Modifications to the AC-130W include a mission management console, robust communications suite, two electro-optical/infrared sensors, and synthetic aperture radar, advanced fire control equipment, precision guided munitions delivery capability as well as trainable 30mm and 105mm weapons. The mission management system fuses sensor, communication, environment, order of battle and threat information into a common operating picture.

Background
Lessons learned from overseas contingency operations have modified the near-term needs of U.S. Special Operations Command and Special Operations Forces fire support requirements. In July 2007, the USSOCOM commander declared the need to grow the gunship fleet. The commander's intent was not to replace current AC-130s, but rather to augment existing combat capability.



In May 2012, the MC-130W Dragon Spear was renamed the AC-130W Stinger II. The AC-130W Stinger II Project was developed to increase the precision fire capacity available for overseas contingency operations. USSOCOM used proven rapid acquisition principles and combat-proven technology to field the Precision Strike Package on the AC-130W Stinger II. It took less than 18 months from the first flight of a prototype modified aircraft to deployment to Operation New Dawn. AC-130W gunships have since been employed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve.

General characteristics
Primary Function: Close air support and air interdiction with associated collateral missions
Contractor: Lockheed Martin
Power plant: Four Allison T56-A-15 turboprops
Thrust: Thrust 4,300 shaft horsepower per engine
Speed: 300 knots
Ceiling: 28,000 feet
Maximum takeoff weight: 155,000 pounds
Range: 2,500 nautical miles; limited by crew duty day with air refueling
Crew: Two pilots, two combat system officers, flight engineer, two special mission aviators
Armament: Precision Strike Package with 30mm and 105mm cannons, and Standoff Precision Guided Munitions (GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb and AGM-176 Griffin missile)
Date deployed: MC-130W with PSP November 2010
Unit cost: AC-130W, $122 million
Inventory: Active duty, 7

(Current as of March 2021)