AC-130

Latest in AC-130

A surge of aircraft from the U.S. to the U.K. has sparked speculation of a SOF aviation buildup.
AC-130

U.S. Special Ops Aircraft Arriving In UK Could Point To Looming Oil Tanker Boarding Operation

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 5, 2026

The presence of U.S. special operations forces is growing in the Caribbean.
AC-130

CV-22B Osprey, MC-130J Commando II Special Ops Aircraft Deploy To Puerto Rico

By Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 23, 2025

A U.S. Air Force AC-130J Ghostrider flies over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Jan. 31, 2025. Designed for close air support, air interdiction and armed reconnaissance, the AC-130J provides CENTCOM forces an expeditionary, direct-fire platform with 30mm and 105mm cannons. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gerald R. Willis)
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Harpoon Anti-Ship Missile-Armed AC-130J Gunships Could Be On The Horizon

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 8, 2025

A CV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft assigned to the 20th Special Operations Squadron approaches the air-refueling receptacle of an MC-130 Commando II during a night flight at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, Sept. 12, 2024. The Osprey is a tiltrotor aircraft that combines a helicopter's vertical takeoff, hover, and vertical landing qualities with the long-range, fuel efficiency, and speed characteristics of a turboprop aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Gracelyn Hess)
AC-130

Electronic Warfare Lessons From Ukraine Informing Air Force Special Operations Future

By Howard Altman

Updated on May 5, 2025

The Black Arrow, also known as the Small Cruise Missile, has completed a guided flight test, from an AC-130J Ghostrider gunships, the weapon’s manufacturer Leidos has confirmed. The Black Arrow — which is intended to carry a range of different payloads, and not just a kinetic warhead — arrives at a time when the Pentagon is looking at harnessing the potential of lower-cost weapons that can be readily produced at scale to meet the likely demands of future conflicts.
AC-130

AC-130J Ghostrider Gunship Launches Black Arrow Small Cruise Missile In New Video

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 5, 2025

The U.S. Air Force's top special operations officer says AC-130J Ghostriders will continue being armed with 105mm howitzers for the foreseeable future despite the gunships evolving to as focus shifts to preparing for high-end fights.
AC-130

AC-130J Ghostrider Gunships Will Keep Their 105mm Howitzers, For Now

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 19, 2024

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AC-130

The Future Of The AC-130 Gunship: Evolve Or Die

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Aug 31, 2024

The US Air Force says an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship has operated from a highway for the first time as part of the service's larger push to reduce its dependence on traditional runways. This is also comes amid questions about the future of the gunships in future high-end fights.
AC-130

AC-130J Ghostrider Gunship Has Operated From A Highway For The First Time

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 5, 2024

An US Air Force AC-130J Ghostrider gunship recently used its 30mm and 105mm to help sink a decommissioned amphibious warship during an exercise, which comes amid a larger discussion about the relevance of these aircraft in future higher-end operations.
AC-130

AC-130J Ghostrider Hammers Amphibious Warship During Rare Appearance At Sinking Exercise

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 1, 2024

We now have our first look at a mini-cruise missile U.S. Special Operations Command is developing that could arm AC-130J gunships and other aircraft.
AC-130

Our First Look At The Tiny Cruise Missile That Aims To Arm AC-130 Gunships

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 9, 2024

The US Air Force no longer plans to flight test a laser directed energy weapon on an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship.
AC-130

AC-130 Gunship’s Laser Weapon Cancelled, 105mm Howitzer May Be Removed

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 19, 2024

USSOCOM is looking for companies that can provide AESA radars for its C-130 fleet.
AC-130

AESA Radars For AC-130J, MC-130J Sought By SOCOM

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jan 27, 2024

The US military has released an unusual video showing an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship conducting live-fire training the Caribbean. This comes as a major crisis in the region between Guyana and Venezuela.
AC-130

Unusual AC-130J Gunship Caribbean Training Video Released

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 12, 2023

AC-130J attacked a target in iraq after attacks on US bases there.
AC-130

AC-130 Ghostrider Gunship Strikes Iranian-Backed Militia In Iraq

By Howard Altman

Posted on Nov 21, 2023

The schedule for long-planned flight testing of an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship with a laser directed energy weapon has slipped again to 2024.
AC-130

AC-130 Laser Weapon Test Slip Raises Questions About Its Future

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 10, 2023

The US Air Force is deciding whether or not to begin removing the famed 105mm howitzers from its AC-130J gunships, possibly starting in 2026.
AC-130

AC-130J Ghostriders Could Lose Their Big 105mm Guns

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 7, 2023