AC-130U Plus 4 / AC-130U+4
In late December 2001 a Department of Defense Program Budget Decision (PBD) called for purchasing at least eight additional AC-130U Spooky gunships, and initiating work on a possible replacement AC(X) gunship aircraft. The USAF was directed to purchase and field four additional AC-130Us in FY03 and to convert a further four C-130H transport aircraft to the AC-130U configuration. Such a conversion requires the addition of the AC-130's armaments, to include 40mm and 105mm cannons as well as enhanced self-protection systems. To replace the C-130Hs that would be converted, the the Air Force was directed to buy four more C-130J transport aircraft than previously planned in FY03. Conversion of the C-130H to the AC-130U gunship [aka AC-130U+4] cost in the range of $50 million to $80 million.
In 2007, the AC-130U Plus 4 program concluded delivery of four new gunships. These highly modified C-130s are built as clones to the existing AC-130Us, with the exceptions of obsolescence and integration of the Bushmaster Mk44 30mm gun. The contract for the AC-130U Gunship "Plus 4" program was awarded on 23 January 2003. In order to complete production costs (spares, trainers, etc) of the new 30mm gun, development of enhanced survivability systems was delayed. Enhanced survivability schedules were incompatible with the Plus 4 production schedule. AC-130U Plus Four primarily uses competitively selected prime contractor under the Integrated Weapons System Support Program. Individual acquisition strategies are developed for each project. The AC-130U is logistically supported at organizational, intermediate and depot levels.
The four aircraft help relieve the pressure on the squadron's aircraft roster for daily functions such as pilot proficiency training, limited tactical training and daily training flights in conjunction with the 19th SOS. The addition of the aircraft increases sortie and training production at home station allowing us to build more crews and better absorb the high operations tempo down range.
The new aircraft sport two 30 mm guns to replace the existing 25 mm Gatling-gun and 40 mm Bofors cannon that have been a part of the airplane's firepower since its inception. The 30mm MK44 Bushmaster Cannon provides improved maintainability & lethality for the gunship. It was initially installed on Plus-4, with delivery of these aircraft in FY06, and installed across the rest of AC-130U fleet in FY07.
Another improvement for the U-model arsenal under consideration is the addition of another precision-guided missile - giving the gunship a precision strike capability. The weapons system is the most significant advancement in recent AC-130 development because it takes this platform from being an "accurate" weapons system to a "precision" system - which is important to the type of war the US was fighting in 2007. The changes in the weapons systems affect not only the fire control officers but every crew position on the aircraft. Everyone will be trained on how the airplane will operate differently and how to plan and execute missions.
A lesser known, yet almost revolutionary change for the Spooky is the installation of a "fusion ball", which is a combination of an all light-level television and an infrared sensor. This combination sensor allows the crew to take the best attributes of both systems and use them simultaneously as they decipher the battle space below them. It's been a long road for this system. This gives a tremendous improvement in our ability to see the environment below us. This system is essential for improved positive identification of targets and friendly forces.
Finally, the Spooky gunship has taken delivery of a digital video recording system versus the old VHS tape style it used to employ. This new system allows a clearer and faster transfer of information to those who need it, whether in combat or training missions. The digitization makes storage of these recordings easier in the 4th SOS library.
