AC-130

Latest in AC-130

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.
Air

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.
Air

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

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 19, 2024

AC-130
Air

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.
Air

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.
Air

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.
Air

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.
Air

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.
Air

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.
Air

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.
Air

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.
Air

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.
Air

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

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 7, 2023

AC-130 Gunship AESA
Air

AC-130J Ghostrider Could Get Huge Upgrade From AESA Radar

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on May 15, 2023

AC-130 Gunship Laser Weapon Program’s Future Is Looking Blurry
Air

AC-130 Gunship Laser Weapon Program’s Future Is Looking Blurry

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on May 11, 2023

AC-130 Ghostrider
Air

AC-130J Gunship Unleashes Hell On South Korean Island

By Oliver Parken, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 7, 2023

AC-130 Gunships Used ‘Big Ass Green Lasers’ During Kabul Evacuation
Air

AC-130 Gunships Used ‘Big Ass Green Lasers’ During Kabul Evacuation

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 2, 2022