It would seem to be a logical follow-on from the AC-130H. But is the "115 aircraft" a typo?





News

Lockheed Eyes AC-130J for U.S. Air Force Special Ops


AWIN First Jun 15 , 2009
Graham Warwick graham_warwick@aviationweek.com
Paris Air Show


Lockheed Martin is three months into a funded study of an AC-130J gunship configuration for U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (Afsoc). The aircraft would be based on the HC/MC-130J special-operations tanker/transport the company is already developing for the Air Force.

The HC/MC common core configuration is based on the U.S. Marine Corps’ KC-130J tanker variant, and the AC-130J study is focusing on the special interfaces and other changes required to adapt the platform to the gunship role, says Jim Grant, Lockheed vice president air mobility and special-operations programs.

Afsoc is conducting its own studies into new weapon types that could arm the proposed AC-130J, but Lockheed will also put forward its ideas, he says.

Grant says the proposal is to begin development of the AC-130J once the HC/MC recapitalization program is firmly established. Afsoc plans to buy up to 115 aircraft to replace its older HC/MC-130 tanker/transports, with two test aircraft to be delivered in 2010.

In the interim, Afsoc plans to arm its MC-130Ws, but they will not carry the full weapons fit of the current AC-130H/U gunships. The MC-130Ws will act as higher-level armed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms, says Grant.

Lockheed already is developing a roll-on/roll-off high-altitude weapons kit for the USMC KC-130J called Harvest Hawk. This includes ramp-mounted sensors and guns and a pair of Hellfire missiles in place of the under-wing refueling pods.

The $22.8 million Harvest Hawk contract was awarded in May. Grant says flight testing of the palletized kit is scheduled to begin in November, leading to first deliveries before year-end.

Ramp mounted guns do sound very weird.

115 is for the HC/MC-130 fleet.

I always figured that it would be a cheap gunship 'plug-in' option, have an automated pallet slide out onto the loweredramp, and a 30mm or 40mm on a small turret goes to town on a decent arc.

It is no AC-130H but still...

I was wondering if they could come up with a temporary 'drop in' aerial refueling system along the same lines. Simply drop the ramp and the hose and drogue gets unwound behind the aircraft with refueling tanks simply secured like a cargo pallet. Even better if they could fit a probe type system too like the Air Force likes to use.




-K

I think the danger there is both strength of the mounting and the drogue flying all over the joint and damaging the tail assembly.