Editing Lockheed AC-130 (section)

==Development==
===Origins===
During the Vietnam War, the [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules|C-130 Hercules]] was selected to replace the [[Douglas AC-47 Spooky]] gunship (Project Gunship I) to improve mission endurance and increase capacity to carry munitions. Capable of flying faster than helicopters and at high altitudes with excellent [[Loiter (flight) |loiter]] time, the use of the pylon turn allowed the AC-47 to deliver continuous, accurate fire to a single point on the ground.<ref name="USAF Nat Museum">{{Cite web |title=Lockheed AC-130A |url=http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3216 |type=fact sheet |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141011171113/http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3216 |publisher=[[National Museum of the United States Air Force]] |archive-date=11 October 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Douglas AC-47D |date=23 October 2009 |url= http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3211 |type=fact sheet |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011174350/https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3211 |publisher=[[National Museum of the United States Air Force]] |archive-date=11 October 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:An air-to-air front view of a AC-130 Hercules aircraft in-flight near Hurlburt Field DF-ST-89-00413.jpg|thumb|left|AC-130H Spectre near Hurlburt Field, Florida in 1988]]
In 1967, JC-130A 54-1626 was selected for conversion into the prototype AC-130A gunship (Project Gunship II). The modifications were done at [[Wright-Patterson Air Force Base]] by the Aeronautical Systems Division. A direct-view [[Night vision device|night-vision telescope]] was installed in the forward door, an early [[forward-looking infrared]] device was placed in the forward part of the left wheel well, with miniguns and rotary cannons fixed facing down and aft along the left side. The [[Analog computer|analog]] [[fire-control computer]] prototype was handcrafted by Wing Commander Tom Pinkerton at the USAF Avionics Laboratory at Wright-Patterson AFB. Flight testing of the prototype was performed primarily at [[Eglin Air Force Base]], followed by further testing and modifications. By September 1967, the aircraft was certified ready for combat testing and was flown to [[Nha Trang Air Base]], [[South Vietnam]], for a 90-day test program.<ref name="USAF Nat Museum" /> The AC-130 was later supplemented by the [[Fairchild AC-119|AC-119 Shadow]] (Project Gunship III), which later proved to be underpowered.

Seven more airframes were converted to the "Plain Jane" configuration like the AC-130 prototype in 1968,<ref>{{Citation |title=Lockheed AC-130A "Plain Jane" |url=http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3220 |df=dmy-all |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090705235558/http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3220 |publisher=[[National Museum of the United States Air Force]] |access-date=5 April 2009 |archive-date=5 July 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and one aircraft received the "Surprise Package" refit in 1969.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 January 2009 |title=Lockheed AC-130A "Surprise Package" |url=http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3221 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110914075833/http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3221 |archive-date=14 September 2011 |access-date=5 April 2009 |website=[[National Museum of the United States Air Force]] |url-status=deviated}}</ref> The Surprise Package upgrade included the latest [[20 mm caliber|20&nbsp;mm]] rotary autocannons and [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|40 mm Bofors cannon]], but no 7.62&nbsp;mm close-support armament. The Surprise Package configuration served as a test bed for the avionic systems and armament for the AC-130E. In 1970, 10 more AC-130As were acquired under the "Pave Pronto" project.<ref name="Pave Pronto">{{Cite web |title=Lockheed AC-130A "PAVE Pronto" |url=http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3222 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090705235603/http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3222 |archive-date=5 July 2009 |access-date=5 April 2009 |website=[[National Museum of the United States Air Force]]}}</ref> In the summer of 1971, Surprise Package AC-130s were converted to the Pave Pronto configuration and assumed the new nickname of "Thor". Conversion of C-130Es into AC-130Es for the "PAVE Spectre" project followed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 January 2009 |title=Lockheed AC-130E "PAVE Spectre" |url=http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3224 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110914204403/http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3224 |archive-date=14 September 2011 |access-date=5 April 2009 |website=[[National Museum of the United States Air Force]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=23 October 2009 |title=Lockheed AC-130E "Pave Aegis" |url=http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3225 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110914205747/http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3225 |archive-date=14 September 2011 |access-date=5 April 2009 |website=[[National Museum of the United States Air Force]]}}</ref> Regardless of their project names, the aircraft were more commonly referred to by the squadron's call sign, Spectre.{{fact|date=November 2023}}

===Recent and planned upgrades===
[[File:AC-130U Spooky gunship 30 mm cannon.jpg|thumb|AC-130U armed with two 30&nbsp;mm Bushmasters, 2007]]

In 2007, AFSOC initiated a program to upgrade the armament of AC-130s. The test program planned for the 25&nbsp;mm GAU-12/U and 40&nbsp;mm Bofors cannon on the AC-130U gunships to be replaced with two [[30 mm caliber|30&nbsp;mm]] Mk 44 [[Bushmaster II]] cannons.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.strategypage.com/dls/articles2006/200610105842.asp |title=30 mm Everywhere |publisher=strategypage.com |date=1 October 2006 |author=Dunnigan, James |access-date=17 July 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100105194201/http://strategypage.com/dls/articles2006/200610105842.asp |archive-date=5 January 2010 |url-status= live}}</ref> In 2007, the Air Force modified four AC-130U gunships as test platforms for the Bushmasters. These were referred to as AC-130U Plus 4 or AC-130U+4. AFSOC, however, canceled its plans to install the new cannons on its fleet of AC-130Us. It has since removed the guns and reinstalled the original 40&nbsp;mm and 25&nbsp;mm cannons and returned the planes to combat duty.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/a-spookier-spooky-30mm-at-a-time-03023/ |title=A Spookier Spooky, 30&nbsp;mm at a Time? Nope |date=1 March 2012 |work=Defense Industry Daily |access-date=21 April 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130921043205/http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/a-spookier-spooky-30mm-at-a-time-03023/ |archive-date=21 September 2013 |url-status= live}}</ref> Brigadier General Bradley A. Heithold, AFSOC's director of plans, programs, requirements, and assessments, said on 11 August 2008 that the effort was canceled because of problems with the Bushmaster's accuracy in tests "at the altitude we were employing it". Also, schedule considerations drove the decision, he said.<ref>Michael Sirak with Marc Schanz, {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20081011030623/http://www.airforce-magazine.com/MagazineArchive/Pages/2008/October%202008/1008world.aspx "Spooky Gun Swap Canceled"]}}. ''Air Force Magazine'', October 2008, Volume 91, Number 10, p. 24.</ref>

Plans were made for the possible replacement of the 105&nbsp;mm [[M102 howitzer]] with a [[Breech-loading weapon|breech-loading]] variant of the 120&nbsp;mm [[M120 mortar]]. The 120mm breech-loading mortar concept offers more flexibility with the use of munitions that are currently available with greater lethality, precision strike capabilities, reduction in collateral damage, and decreased casualties in danger close scenarios. Also, using the newer [[AGM-114 Hellfire]] missiles, the [[Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System]] (based on the [[Hydra 70]] rockets), or the [[GBU-44/B Viper Strike|Viper Strike]] [[glide bomb]]s can dramatically increase the standoff capability of the AC-130.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2006garm/tuesday/elliot.pdf |title=Future AC-130 Gunship Integrated Weapons Systems |publisher=US DoD |date=March 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070221233703/http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2006garm/tuesday/elliot.pdf |archive-date=21 February 2007}}</ref>

The conceptual breechloading variant of the 120&nbsp;mm M120 mortar has several key advantages over the conventional M102 105&nbsp;mm howitzer. 100 rounds of ammunition weighs {{convert|4,200|lb|abbr=on}} for the M102 105&nbsp;mm howitzer compared to {{convert|3,200|lb|abbr=on}} for the M120 120&nbsp;mm mortar. The recoil load is {{convert|10,900|lbf|N|abbr=on}} with the 105&nbsp;mm howitzer compared to {{convert|5,600|lbf|N|abbr=on}} with the M120 120&nbsp;mm mortar. The gun recoiling weight for the M102 105&nbsp;mm howitzer is {{convert|1,465|lb|kg|abbr=on}} compared to {{convert|1,315|lb|kg|abbr=on}} for the M120 120&nbsp;mm mortar. The muzzle pressure for the M102 105&nbsp;mm howitzer is {{convert|3,560|psi|MPa|abbr=on}} compared to {{convert|1,620|psi|MPa|abbr=on}} for the M120 120&nbsp;mm mortar.{{cn|date=April 2024}}

In 2010, the Air Force awarded [[L-3 Communications]] a $61&nbsp;million (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=61000000|start_year=2010}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}) contract to add precision strike packages to eight [[Lockheed MC-130|MC-130W Combat Spear]] special-mission aircraft<ref>[https://www.defense.gov/contracts/contract.aspx?contractid=4371 DoD "Contracts"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101005181846/http://www.defense.gov/contracts/contract.aspx?contractid=4371 |date=5 October 2010}}. U.S. Department of Defense, 21 September 2010.</ref> to give them a gunship-like attack capability; such-equipped MC-130Ws are known as Dragon Spears. AFSOC is arming these aircraft to relieve the high operational demands on AC-130 gunships until new AC-130Js enter service.<ref>Sirak, Micael. {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110707100006/http://www.airforce-magazine.com/MagazineArchive/Pages/2010/June%202010/0610SOF.aspx "The SOF Makeover"]}} ''Air Force Magazine'', Vol. 93, No. 6 June 2010.</ref> The MC-130W Dragon Spear was renamed '''AC-130W Stinger II''' in 2011.<ref>Wallace, Ashley. "News: Stinger II". ''[[Air International]]'', Vol. 82 No. 5, May 2012, p. 19. {{ISSN|0306-5634}}.</ref> The precision strike packages consist of a 30&nbsp;mm gun and several [[precision guided munition]]s. Rails are mounted on the outboard pylon of the wing for four Hellfire missiles, SDBs, or [[GBU-53/B|SDB IIs]] under each. Ten common launch tubes (CLTs) are mounted on the rear ramp to fire [[AGM-176 Griffin|Griffin A]] missiles; additional missiles are stored in the aircraft that can be reloaded in flight.<ref>[https://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/afsoc-ac-130-gunships/ AFSOC AC-130 Gunships] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204171608/https://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/afsoc-ac-130-gunships/ |date=4 February 2017}} – Defensemedianetwork.com, 1 June 2015</ref> CLTs are able to fire other small munitions able to fit inside the {{convert|6|in|cm|adj=on}}-diameter, {{convert|48|in|m|adj=on}}-long tubes.<ref name="ndmmay16">[http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/archive/2016/May/Pages/SpecialOperationsGunshipstoBeEquippedWithImprovedSensors.aspx "Special Operations Gunships to Be Equipped With Improved Sensors"]{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}} – Nationaldefensemagazine.org, May 2016</ref>

The AC-130J Ghostrider came from a 2011 initiative that sought to acquire 16 new gunships based on newly built MC-130J Commando II special-operations tankers outfitted with a "precision strike package" to give them an attack capability, requesting $1.6&nbsp;billion from fiscal years 2011 through 2015. This was to increase the size of the gunship fleet to 33 aircraft, a net increase of eight after the planned retirement of eight aging AC-130Hs. The first aircraft would be bought in fiscal 2012, followed by two in fiscal 2013, five in fiscal 2014, and the final eight in fiscal 2015.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sirak |first=Micael |url=http://www.airforce-magazine.com/MagazineArchive/Pages/2010/April%202010/0410world.aspx |title=Air Force World |volume=93 |number=4 |newspaper=Air Force Magazine |date=April 2010 |access-date=27 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707095945/http://www.airforce-magazine.com/MagazineArchive/Pages/2010/April%202010/0410world.aspx |archive-date=7 July 2011 |url-status=usurped}}</ref> The decision to retain the C-130 came after funding for 16 [[Alenia C-27J Spartan|C-27Js]] was removed from the fiscal 2010 budget.<ref>{{cite news |title=Schwartz: AFSOC will likely convert more C-130s into 'gunship-lites' |newspaper=Inside the Air Force |date=22 May 2009}}</ref>

The AC-130J was to follow the path of the [[Dragon Spear]] program.<ref>Duncan, Capt. Kristen D. [https://www.afsoc.af.mil/News/story/id/123244936/ "Benchmark 'Dragon Spear' program earns William J. Perry Award"] . ''Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs''</ref> On 9 January 2013, the Air Force began converting the first MC-130J into an AC-130J.<ref name="ghostrider">{{cite news |url=https://www.af.mil/News/story/id/123331866/ |title=The most fearsome weapon is evolving |publisher=USAF |date=9 January 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801181427/http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123331866 |archive-date=1 August 2013}}</ref> The first AC-130J was delivered to AFSOC on 29 July 2015.<ref>[http://www.deagel.com/news/US-Air-Force-Special-Operations-Command-Takes-Delivery-of-First-AC-130J-Ghostrider_n000014329.aspx "US Air Force Special Operations Command Takes Delivery of First AC-130J Ghostrider"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150804220426/http://www.deagel.com/news/US-Air-Force-Special-Operations-Command-Takes-Delivery-of-First-AC-130J-Ghostrider_n000014329.aspx |date=4 August 2015}}, Deagel.com, Air Force News Service, 31 July 2015</ref> The first AC-130J gunships achieved initial operational capability (IOC) on 30 September 2017.<ref name="militarytimes10oct17">[https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-air-force/2017/10/10/the-air-forces-newest-deadliest-gunship-just-hit-a-major-milestone/ The Air Force’s newest, deadliest gunship just hit a major milestone] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011130414/https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-air-force/2017/10/10/the-air-forces-newest-deadliest-gunship-just-hit-a-major-milestone/ |date=11 October 2017}} – Militarytimes.com, 10 October 2017</ref> The AC-130J has two planned increments: the Block 10 configuration includes an internal 30&nbsp;mm gun, small diameter bombs, and laser-guided missiles launched from the rear cargo door; and Block 20 configuration adds a 105&nbsp;mm cannon, large aircraft [[infrared countermeasures]], wing-mounted Hellfire missiles, and radio-frequency countermeasures.<ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/ac-130j-poised-to-hit-initial-operational-capabilit-441336/ AC-130J poised to hit initial operational capability target] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922123125/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/ac-130j-poised-to-hit-initial-operational-capabilit-441336/ |date=22 September 2017}} – Flightglobal.com, 21 September 2017</ref>

The Air Force decided to add a 105&nbsp;mm cannon to the AC-130J in addition to the 30&nbsp;mm cannon and smart bombs, the shells being more accurate and cheaper than dropping SDBs. AFSOC also pursued a [[directed-energy weapon]] on board the AC-130J by 2022,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/a32580060/ac-130-gunship-lasers/ |title= How Could the AC-130 Gunship Get Even Better? Lasers|date= 18 May 2020}}</ref><ref>Mike Hoffman, {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150131033344/http://defensetech.org/2015/01/29/afsoc-wants-to-research-adding-laser-weapons-to-ac-130/ "AFSOC Wants to Research Adding Laser Weapons to AC-130"]}}, Defensetech.org, 29 January 2015.</ref> similar to the previous [[Advanced Tactical Laser]] program. It was to produce a beam of up to 120&nbsp;kW, or potentially even 180–200&nbsp;kW, weigh about {{convert|5000|lb|kg|abbr=on}}, defensively destroy antiaircraft missiles, and offensively engage communications towers, boats, cars, and aircraft.<ref>James Drew, [https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/afsoc-developing-tactics-for-2020-ac-130-gunship-l-416878/ "AFSOC developing tactics for '2020' AC-130 gunship laser weapon"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150918203716/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/afsoc-developing-tactics-for-2020-ac-130-gunship-l-416878/ |date=18 September 2015}}, ''FlightGlobal'', 17 September 2015</ref><ref>Brendan McGarry, {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150919095810/http://defensetech.org/2015/09/16/air-force-wants-a-laser-weapon-on-an-ac-130j-gunship/ "Air Force Wants a Laser Weapon on AC-130J Gunship"]}}, Defensetech.org, 16 September 2015</ref><ref name="defensenews3dec15">Lara Seligman, [http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20170704074648/http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/2015/12/03/afsoc-leveraging-lessons-ac-130j-laser/76723364/ "AFSOC Leveraging Lessons from Navy for AC-130J Laser"], Defensenews.com, 3 December 2015</ref> A laser armament would have only been installed on a few aircraft rather than the entire AC-130J fleet;<ref name="3dec15">Sydney J. Freedberg, Jr., [http://breakingdefense.com/2015/12/ac-130-to-get-laser-guns-air-launched-drones-heithold/ "AC-130 To Get Laser Guns & Air-Launched Drones: Heithold"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151207025141/http://breakingdefense.com/2015/12/ac-130-to-get-laser-guns-air-launched-drones-heithold/ |date=7 December 2015}}, Breakingdefense.com, 3 December 2015</ref> the laser would be mounted on the side in place of the 30&nbsp;mm cannon.<ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/afsoc-favours-side-mounted-laser-for-gunship-426926/ AFSOC favours side-mounted laser for gunship] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160702151602/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/afsoc-favours-side-mounted-laser-for-gunship-426926/ |date=2 July 2016}} – Flightglobal.com, 1 July 2016</ref> AFSOC eventually ruled out the idea in 2024 after the project was delayed by years,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trevithick |first=Joseph |date=2024-03-19 |title=AC-130 Gunship's Laser Weapon Cancelled, 105mm Howitzer May Be Removed |url=https://www.twz.com/air/ac-130-gunships-laser-weapon-cancelled-105mm-howitzer-may-be-removed |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=The War Zone |language=en-US}}</ref> determining that placing a laser out the side of the airframe would yield so much air turbulence that it would disrupt the beam.<ref name="defensenews7nov23">[https://www.defensenews.com/air/2023/11/07/us-air-force-may-remove-105mm-cannon-from-ac-130-gunship/ US Air Force may remove 105mm cannon from AC-130 gunship]. ''[[Defense News]]''. 7 November 2023.</ref> In addition to this, while the laser weapon on the Lockheed AC-130 turned out to be a failure, Lockheed has been examining concepts for the integration of the laser module system onto the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, he said. Other potential additions include an [[active denial system]] to perform airborne crowd control, and small [[unmanned aerial vehicle]]s from the CLTs to provide remote video feed and coordinates to weapons operators through cloud cover.<ref>Brian Everstine, [http://www.airforcetimes.com/story/military/tech/2015/03/19/high-tech-upgrades-ac130/24956345/ "AFSOC envisions its gunship armed with lasers, other high-tech weapons"], ''Air Force Times'', 19 March 2015</ref> Called the Tactical Off-board Sensor (TOBS), the drones would be expendable and fly along a programmed orbit to verify targets the aircraft cannot see itself because of bad weather or standing off from air defenses.<ref name="defensenews3dec15" /><ref name="3dec15" /> AFSOC was to initially use the [[Raytheon Coyote]] small UAV for the TOBS mission, as it is an [[Commercial off-the-shelf|off-the-shelf]] design with a one-hour endurance, but planned to fulfill the role with a new drone capable of a four-hour endurance by 2019.<ref name="ndmmay16"/>

The Air Force was also interested in acquiring a glide bomb that can be launched from the CLTs, capable of hitting ground vehicles traveling as fast as 120&nbsp;km/h (70&nbsp;mph) while above {{convert|10000|ft|m|abbr=on}}.<ref>James Drew, [https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/us-special-forces-seek-tube-launched-glide-bombs-419394/ "US special forces seek tube-launched glide bombs"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124163950/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/us-special-forces-seek-tube-launched-glide-bombs-419394/ |date=24 November 2015}}, ''FlightGlobal'', 23 November 2015</ref> In June 2016, [[Dynetics]] was awarded a contract by SOCOM to integrate its tactical munition onto the AC-130. Designated the GBU-69/B Small Glide Munition, the weapon weighs {{convert|27|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and is armed with a {{convert|16|kg|lb|adj=on}} blast-fragmentation warhead that can detonate by direct impact or at a selected height; despite being smaller, being unpowered allows for its warhead to be heavier than those on the Hellfire and Griffin A missiles, {{convert|9|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and {{convert|5.9|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, respectively. Guidance is provided by a GPS receiver with anti-spoofing software and four distributed-aperture [[semi-active laser|semiactive laser]] seeker apertures adapted from the [[APKWS|WGU-59/B APKWS]] for terminal guidance.<ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/dynetics-unveils-new-glide-bomb-with-16kg-warhead-426349/ Dynetics unveils new glide bomb with 16kg warhead] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202044005/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/dynetics-unveils-new-glide-bomb-with-16kg-warhead-426349/ |date=2 February 2017}}, Flight global, 14 June 2016</ref><ref>[http://www.defensenews.com/articles/dynetics-looks-to-fit-niche-with-small-glide-munition Dynetics Looks to Fit Niche With Small Glide Munition], Defense news, 22 August 2016</ref><ref>[http://www.airforcemag.com/DRArchive/Documents/2016/June%202016/Dynetics.pdf Dynetics Awarded USSOCOM Small Glide Munition Contract] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205095635/http://www.airforcemag.com/DRArchive/Documents/2016/June%202016/Dynetics.pdf |date=5 February 2017}}, Airforce mag, 14 June 2016</ref> Approval for fielding occurred in early 2017.<ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/dynetics-awarded-470-million-for-increased-producti-449364/ Dynetics awarded $470 million for increased production of glide bomb] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614045826/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/dynetics-awarded-470-million-for-increased-producti-449364/ |date=14 June 2018}}. ''Flight International''. 14 June 2018.</ref> Dynetics was awarded a contract to deliver an initial batch of 70 SGMs in June 2017, with plans to buy up to 1,000.<ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/us-special-operators-add-new-munition-to-air-launche-438913/ US special operators add new munition to air-launched arsenal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629224333/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/us-special-operators-add-new-munition-to-air-launche-438913/ |date=29 June 2017}} – Flight global, 29 June 2017</ref> The SGM can travel {{cvt|20|mi|abbr=on}}.<ref>[https://breakingdefense.com/2018/05/commandos-buying-thousands-of-small-missiles-that-pack-a-bigger-punch-than-hellfires/ Commandos Buying Thousands of Small Missiles That Pack A Bigger Punch Than Hellfires] {{Webarchive |url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180514065516/https://breakingdefense.com/2018/05/commandos-buying-thousands-of-small-missiles-that-pack-a-bigger-punch-than-hellfires/ |date=14 May 2018}}. ''Breaking Defense''. 11 May 2018.</ref>

===Future===
{{As of|2023}}, AC-130 gunships have been providing close air support for special operators for 56 years. Although the aircraft have been kept relevant through constant upgrades to their weaponry, sensor packages, and countermeasures, they are not expected to be survivable in future nonpermissive environments due to their high signatures and low airspeeds. Military analysts, such as the [[Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments]], have suggested that AFSOC invest in more advanced technologies to fill the role to operate in future contested combat zones, including a mix of low-cost disposable unmanned and stealthy strike aircraft.<ref>Sandra I. Erwin, [http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/blog/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=1143 "Air Force Commandos Will Have Fewer Aircraft, More Firepower"] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20150206143420/http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/blog/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=1143 |date=6 February 2015}} ''National Defense Magazine'', 15 May 2013</ref>

AFSOC is considering a number of changes to the AC-130J in order to make it effective against advanced adversaries including removing the [[M102 howitzer|105mm cannon]] and upgrading the aircraft with small [[cruise missile]]s, an [[AESA radar]], and adaptive mission networking enhancements.<ref name="defensenews7nov23"/> In 2025, it was announced that the aircraft has carried out launch tests of [[Black Arrow (missile)|Black Arrow]], also known as the Small Cruise Missile (SCL) using its Ramp Launch Tubes.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Newdick |first1=Thomas |title=AC-130J Ghostrider Gunship Launches Black Arrow Small Cruise Missile In New Video |url=https://www.twz.com/air/ac-130j-ghostrider-gunship-launches-black-arrow-small-cruise-missile-in-new-video |website=The War Zone |access-date=6 April 2025 |date=5 April 2025}}</ref>