In light of the concrete possibility of removing the 105mm guns from their AC-130J aircraft, given the debate regarding their utility in the event of a potential large-scale conflict with China, the U.S. Air Force (USAF) has decided to keep them installed for the time being. This was confirmed to local media by Lieutenant General Michael Conley, head of the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), during the 2024 Air, Space, and Cyber Conference held just outside Washington, D.C.
It is worth noting that the USAF currently has a total of 31 AC-130J aircraft, the only variant still in active service. These “gunship” platforms are equipped with the aforementioned 105mm howitzer and a 30mm GAU-23/A Bushmaster II autocannon, which can be complemented with bombs and missiles launched from common launch tubes (CLT) as needed.
Delving deeper into details, it should be mentioned that the original design included old M102 cannons adapted from those developed for the U.S. Army during the Cold War for use from the aircraft. This began to change in November of last year amid the aforementioned discussions. A total of 17 AC-130Js received new cannons designated GAU-XX, but the project was subsequently suspended until a determination was made regarding the system and its utility; the possibility of equipping them with laser weapons, which would make the platform more cost-effective overall, was also discarded.
In that regard, the specialized U.S. media outlet The Warzone consulted Lieutenant General Conley about the future role of the AC-130Js. His responses were: “If we analyze our training portfolios and what we need to do for future battles, we will probably use less 105mm ammunition. It has ammunition that could sink a ship, not a flagship or an aircraft carrier, but could damage smaller vessels (…) In a fight between equals, I believe our place is probably on the periphery.” Consequently, the participation of these platforms in SINKEX exercises conducted during RIMPAC 2024 is not surprising.
On the other hand, when asked about other modernization efforts for the aircraft in question, Conley stated that the USAF is exploring the possibility of integrating new AESA radars to improve crew situational awareness, enhancing target detection and tracking capabilities, while also strengthening electronic warfare capabilities; the latter has been the focus of various upgrade packages for the AC-130. In summary, there is a study underway to adapt these aircraft to the Rapid Dragon concept, which proposes using the cargo bays of large aircraft for the deployment of cruise missiles.
Regarding the possibility of integrating new artificial intelligence technologies to automate various processes, a trend already seen in U.S. F-16 fighters, the head of AFSOC stated: “I would say what we are looking for in AFSOC is a gradual approach, where I am asking industry and my team what we can do inside the aircraft right now that allows the crew to focus on mission issues rather than the mechanics of flying an aircraft (…) So, how do we fully automate the startup [of the aircraft] and everything so that you press a button and everything else is done instead of reading the old-school checklist over and over? The next step would be, well, is there a point where we could reduce a crew member?”
Finally, referring to what is intended to be the replacement for the AC-130J in attack missions for lower intensity operational environments (such as fighting terrorist groups), the focus is on the new OA-1K; the USAF plans to incorporate a fleet of 75 units. However, these turboprop aircraft are also subject to the same questions regarding their current utility, considering that the U.S. no longer focuses on this type of conflict as it did years ago.
On this, Lieutenant General Conley stated: “Since the OA-1K was conceptualized and decided upon, the world has changed a bit. That’s why we are considering different opportunities with it. I believe it still provides a cost-effective close air support platform, which is one of the missions for which it was designed. It will continue to provide ISR capability (…) I think there is an opportunity for that. Again, it’s not something we have committed to yet.”
Images used for illustrative purposes.
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