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. 190116-F-QS677-0039 An aircrew from the 16th Special Operations Squadron at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., lands an AC-130W Stinger II to participate in Emerald Warrior/Trident at the Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., January 15, 2019. Emerald Warrior/Trident is the largest joint special operations exercise where U.S. Special Operations Command forces train to respond to various threats across the spectrum of conflict. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Erin Piazza) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res 210911-F-YW474-0155 Airshow attendees take a tour through a U.S. Air Force AC-130W Stinger II from the 27th Special Operations Wing, Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., during High Sky Wing Commemorative Air Force AIRSHO 2021, at Midland International Air and Space Port, Midland, Texas, Sept. 11, 2021. The Air Force was featured at AIRSHO and showcased multiple aircraft in its inventory to include the AC-130W, MC-130J and the A-10 Thunderbolt II, displaying capabilities of airpower through aerial demonstrations and/or static displays. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Peter Reft) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res 130110-F-AX764-525 The AC-130W Stinger II primary missions are close air support and air interdiction. 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. (U.S. Air Force photo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res 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)