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C-27J 3-view
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In July 2008, an Aviation Week report noted that the Pentagon’s 2008 budget reprogramming request includes $32 million from Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), in order to buy a C-27J and convert it into a small prototype AC-XX gunship, using “proven/known” weapons and systems.

The proposed acquisition comes against the backdrop of an AC-130 fleet that is quickly being flown to the limits of the fleet’s airframe flight hours. At present, the AC-130s reportedly need 14 hours of maintenance for every hour in flight, while wing cracks are prompting major center wing box replacement operations 5 years ahead of schedule.

AFSOC has also become concerned about its AC-130 gunships’ long-term survivability, and has investigated a number of options [PDF format] including smaller aircraft and even stealth designs. What AFSOC appears to have decided is that it needs an immediate, affordable stopgap that can let it try some new concepts, without foreclosing future options…

• AC-27J: “Stinger II”
• Contracts and Key Events
• Additional Readings

AC-27J: “Stinger II”

C-27J Spartan
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That effort is still in early days, and has yet to bank even a firm contract for a protoype, but it’s something AFSOC is pursuing hard.

The C-27J is not stealthy, but it is smaller than existing AC-130s; an AC-27J “Stinger II” would trade less firepower for the ability to operate from smaller airstrips closer to the action.

Additions are certain to include defensive systems, electro-optical surveillance and targeting turrets, flight and/or ground surveillance radars, weapons, and computerized gun control systems. L3 spokesman Jason Decker has been quoted as saying the AC-27J’s guns are likely to be between 25mm – 40mm caliber, as opposed to the 105mm howitzer carried on AC-130s. Depending on their model, however, the AC-130s’ other guns have been 40mm Bofors guns or 20-25 mm gatling guns, so the only thing that changes is the top-end firepower. On the other hand, proposals to arm AC-130s with precision weapons like GBU-44 Viper Strikes, Hellfire missiles, et. al. have always stumbled against the issue of integrating them into an old airframe. Integration into a new-build aircraft may offer a tempting opportunity to give the new gunships new capabilities, at an affordable price.

This is the “Stinger II” protoype’s other benefit: its ability to serve as a systems integration platform to help define the current state of the art, without sidelining even more of the in-demand AC-130 fleet for long refit periods. All of which may help to explain why AFSOC, who fields the $100+ million AC-130H/U gunships based on the larger C-130 Hercules tactical transport, also wants $11.5 million to execute an AC-XX feasibility study and engineering analyses. Overall:

“This prototype will serve as a risk mitigation effort to field a new platform to operate in austere locations, with increased operational flexibility and a smaller support tail of manpower and logistics.”

Contracts and Key Events

AC-130H Firing
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Sept 9/08: DoD Buzz reports that Lt. Gen. Donald Wurster, commander of Air Force Special Operations Command, reiterated his strong support for the C-27J “Stinger II” gunship at the US Air Force Association’s annual meeting. During his presentation, Wurster said AFSOC is looking to field about 16 of these aircraft.

July 25/08: Aviation Week reports that AFSOC is looking to reprogram $32 million of its budget to field an AC-27J prototype. Based on known airframe and conversion costs for the C-27J and other platforms, further funding for the AC-XX effort will almost certainly be required in FY 2010.

Additional Readings

• DID Spotlight – Joint Cargo Aircraft: We Have a Winner(?) The JCA program chose the C-27J, bringing that type into American service. AFSOC base aircraft would almost certainly be bought under that umbrella contract, then modified.

• DID – A Spookier Spooky, 30mm at a Time. The experiment sought to install 30mm Bushmaster chain guns in the existing AC-130 fleet, replacing older 25mm and 40mm guns and providing wide commonality with land and naval forces. The 4 concerted aircraft were rolled back to their original weapon set, however, after the Bushmasters displayed accuracy issues when mounted in an aerial gunship.

• DID – Keeping the C-130s Flying: Center Wing Box Replacements

• DID Spotlight – GBU-44 Viper Strike: Death From Above.

• DID (Aug 11/05) – Viper Strike for AC-130s? There have been a number of demonstration contracts, but nothing fielded yet.