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. A U.S. Air Force AC-130W Stinger II returns from a training mission during Red Flag-Alaska 19-3 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 9, 2019. RF-A is a Pacific Air Forces-directed field training exercise for U.S. and international forces flown under simulated air combat conditions. It is conducted at the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex with air operations flown out of Eielson Air Force Base and JBER. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Westin Warburton) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res An AC-130W Stinger II assigned to the 73rd Special Operations Squadron fires a burst of rounds during a live-fire training mission on Range 10, Feb. 3, 2016, Melrose Air Force Range, N.M. This was the first time live munitions had been fired at Range 10 in 45 years. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res A maintainer assigned to 16th Expeditionary Operations Squadron communicate with pilots on board a AC-130W Stinger II during pre flight start up and checks before a mission at an undisclosed location in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, Southwest Asia, July 23, 2018. 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 (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Keith James) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res 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)