This is the Air Force’s newest beast of a gunship, the AC-130J Ghostrider
As if the AC-130 Spectre Gunship wasn’t already the ultimate flying fortress that rains lots of love all over the badguys, the Air Force now has the new AC-130J Ghostrider.
The first AC-130J Ghostrider gunship arrives at Hurlburt Field in Florida on July 29, 2015. The AC-130J is set to replace the AC-130H Spectre and the AC-130U Spooky. Upgraded armament of the Ghostrider include a 30mm GAU-23 automatic side firing chain gun, a 105mm cannon, and Standoff Precision Guided Munitions (SOPGM) comprising wing-mounted GBU-39 small diameter bombs and AGM-176 Griffin laser-guided missiles.
Features – Via – Af.mil
The AC-130J is a highly modified C-130J aircraft that contains many advanced features. It contains an advanced two-pilot flight station with fully integrated digital avionics. The aircraft is capable of extremely accurate navigation due to the fully integrated navigation systems with dual inertial navigation systems and global positioning system. Aircraft defensive systems and color weather radar are integrated as well. The aircraft is capable of Air Refueling with the Universal Air Refueling Receptacle Slipway Installation (UARRSI) system. To handle power requirements imposed by the advanced avionics and aircraft systems, the AC-130J is equipped with 60/90 kilo volt amp generators that provide increased DC electrical output. In anticipation of IR countermeasure installation, it is provisioned for LAIRCM installation.
Additionally, the AC-130J is modified with a precision strike package, which includes a mission management console, robust communications suite, two electro-optical/infrared sensors, advanced fire control equipment, precision guided munitions delivery capability as well as trainable 30mm and 105mm weapons. The mission management system will fuse sensor, communication, environment, order of battle and threat information into a common operating picture.