The venerable AC-130H Spectre gunship has been retired but should it have been replaced by the AC-130J Ghostrider?

2015-05-29T09:03:21-04:00

AFSOC retires its last AC-130H Spectre gunship

The US Air Force's (USAF's) Special Operations Command (AFSOC) has retired from service the last of its Lockheed Martin AC-130H Spectre gunships after more than 45 years of service, it was announced on 28 May.

A ceremony marking the departure of aircraft 69-6569 'Excalibur' from the 16th Special Operations Squadron (SOS) of the 27th Special Operations Wing (SOW) was held at Cannon Air Force Base (AFB) in New Mexico on 26 May.

As the oldest type in AFSOC's gunship arsenal of AC-130H Spectre, AC-130U Spooky, and AC-130W Dragon Spear/Stinger II platforms, the AC-130H force of eight aircraft has been gradually drawn down over the past two years. However, despite being progressively withdrawn from service, the AC-130H has still been at the forefront of AFSOC's missions in Afghanistan, Iraq, and beyond. According to the USAF, the 16th SOS has flown more than 6,500 combat sorties during 26,000 combat hours, and has been responsible for over 4,600 enemy killed in action, along with over 5,200 enemy being captured, over the past 12 years.

The essential difference between the Spectre and Spooky platforms is that, in addition to the 40 mm Bofors cannon and 105 mm M102 Howitzer carried by both aircraft, the newer Spooky is also armed with a 25 mm Gatling gun. The AC-130W is essentially an MC-130W Combat Spear that has been equipped with a palletised precision-strike package (PSP), comprising a single 30 mm Mk 44 Bushmaster cannon, precision-guided munitions, and a single medium-calibre gun.

With the AC-130H now retired, AFSOC continues to field 17 AC-130Us, operated by the 4th SOS, 5th SOS, and 19th (Training) SOS of the 1st SOW at Hurlburt Field, and 12 AC-130W platforms operated from Cannon AFB by the 16th SOS, 73rd SOS, and 551st (Training) SOS of the 27th SOW.

As part of a wider MC/HC-130 re-capitalisation programme across AFSOC, the command is to receive 32 new AC-130J Ghostrider gunships by fiscal year 2021. Work to convert the first MC-130J Commando II into an AC-130J began in July 2012, with the type's initial operating capability set for later this year. Once the AC-130J is fully fielded, AFSOC's gunship fleet will comprise 49 AC-130U and AC-130J platforms (all 12 AC-130W Dragon Spear/Stinger II platforms will revert to their original MC-130W Combat Spear configuration).

http://www.janes.com/article/51851/afsoc-retires-its-last-ac-130h-spectre-gunship

AFSOC retires its last AC-130H Spectre gunship - IHS Jane's 360

The US Air Force's (USAF's) Special Operations Command (AFSOC) has retired from service the last of its Lockheed Martin AC-130H Spectre gunships after more than 45 years of service, it was announced on 28 May. A ceremony marking the departure of aircraft 69-6569 'Excalibur' from the 16th Special

Response by Capt Richard I P. made May 29 at 2015 9:23 AM

2015-05-29T09:23:09-04:00

As long as precision hellfire can still rain from the sky on request I don't care what name or number they give it.

Response by SSG Byron Howard Sr made Feb 27 at 2019 1:21 PM

2019-02-27T13:21:26-05:00

Got to ride in a AC130H it was a kick ass plane

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 1 at 2019 5:01 AM

2019-03-01T05:01:19-05:00

I'd had a thought...I'd be most eager for any reactions...why not just stick a Gatling gun variant on an Osprey for possible carrier based usage, or Navy Mil Sealift Command (MSC) as well, and also for USCG HITRON application on USCG helicopters, possibly also on !erchamt ships for antipiracy protection? I'd just found it a most compelling thought, you know? Quite obvious such Gatling gun hardware could be adapted for such purposes, with computer controlled aircraft guidance on an AI neural network level as well, ya think? I'd be most eager for any thoughts, as I'd said, by all means, many thanks....