![]() ![]() ![]() In the future, more powerful lasers will be capable of both lethal and nonlethal fires. ![]() The AC-130J’s laser will be the first weapon with a “scalable” nonlethal capability: that is, the weapon’s power can be adjusted to produce a range of less than lethal effects. The Air Force is starting to diversify the modern gunship’s capabilities, and the recent incorporation of SDB glide bombs and Griffin missiles gives the gunship a standoff attack capability it previously lacked. The Air Force’s long line of gunships has traditionally emphasized firepower over all else. The AC-130J is designed to loiter high above enemy targets, bombarding enemy forces below. The AC-130J can also equip 250-pound GBU-39B Small Diameter Bombs for longer range precision strike capability, as well as the AGM-114 Hellfire and AGM-176 Griffin missile. The door gunner of a helicopter (HH-60) or the AC-130 Gunship has responsibilities and training that include inspection, maintenance, testing, as well as operating some of the fastest shooting weapons in the military. The AC-130J is a C-130J Super Hercules transport fitted with one GAU-23/A 30-millimeter cannon and a 105-millimeter howitzer. Having the guns below the wings eliminated the basic problem of the AC-47, also the large C-130 could carry more ammunition for its heavier weapons. The newest J-model is said to be the most heavily armed gunship in history, with the ability to tout 30mm and 105mm cannons, AGM-176A Griffin missiles, AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and GBU-39 Small. The high-wing design of this aircraft and its large capacity made it especially suited as a gunship. The AC-130J Ghostrider is the latest in a long line of fixed-wing gunships dating back to the Vietnam War. The C-130 gunship was a new weapon system in an old airframe. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Pick/DVIDS ![]()
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