JTF-Quartz Weapon System – AC-130W Stinger II

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Manuel Martinez | An AC-130W Stinger II assigned to the 73rd Special Operations Squadron fires a burst of rounds during a live-fire training mission on Range 10, Feb. 3, 2016, Melrose Air Force Range, N.M. This was the first time live munitions had been fired at Range 10 in 45 years. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)  

SOMALIA

12.17.2020

Story by Bryan Franks 

Joint Task Force-Quartz

The AC-130W Stinger II is conducting air operations over Somalia under Joint Task Force – Quartz in support of Operation Octave Quartz. The mission of OOQ is to reposition U.S. Department of Defense personnel from Somalia to other locations in East Africa.
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.
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, communications suite, two electro-optical/infrared sensors, fire control equipment, stand-off precision guided munitions, one side-firing, trainable 30mm gun capable of firing 200 rounds per minute, and one side-firing, trainable 105mm cannon. The mission management system will fuse sensor, communication, environment, order of battle and threat information into a common operating picture. 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.
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 fires 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.
General characteristics
Contractor: Lockheed
Power plant: four Allison T56-A-15 turboprops
Thrust: Thrust 4,300 shaft horsepower each engine
Speed: 300 mph
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, one Combat System Officer, one Navigator, one Flight Engineer, three Special Missions Aviators
Armament: GAU-23A/A 30mm Automatic Chain Gun, M137A1 105mm Cannon, AGM-176 Griffin Missiles, GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs
Date deployed: MC-130W with PSP November 2010
Unit cost: AC-130W, million
Inventory: 7 Active Duty Current plans to retire remaining fleet by 2023

• Date Taken: 12.17.2020
• Date Posted: 12.17.2020 10:30
• Story ID: 385195
• Location: SO