Posted on 11/01/2005 10:37:14 AM PST by Excuse_My_Bellicosity
10/31/2005 - WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFPN) -- The AC-130U Gunship, managed by Aeronautical Systems Center's Special Operations Forces Systems Group here, is undergoing an Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration for a standoff precision-guided munition called Viper Strike.
Viper Strike is a small, precision-attack munition with guide/glide fins and a 4-pound High Explosive Anti-Tank, or HEAT warhead. It has a man-in-loop control and is capable of destroying mobile targets such as armored vehicles from standoff range.
Viper Strikes are currently in use in support of the global war on terrorism and are perfectly suited for special operations missions in urban and mountainous areas day or night.
The AC-130 Systems Squadron at ASC currently has three people working with the Air Force Special Operations Command on the program upgrade, preparing for potential future demonstration transition to the center.
AFSOC currently has 21 gunships in its inventory. Thirteen AC-130U Gunships are flown by the 4th Special Operations Squadron and eight AC-130H Gunships are flown by the 16th SOS, both located at Hurlburt Field, Fla.
The AC-130H is managed at Warner Robins Air Force Basse, Ga., and the AC-130 Systems Squadron is part of the Special Operations Forces Systems Group here where the AC-130U is managed.
The AC-130U has a 25 mm Gatling gun that is able to fire 1,800 rounds per minute, and, along with the AC-130H, carries a rapid fire 40 mm Bofors cannon and a 105 mm Howitzer. The canons are located on the left side of the aircraft.
The gunship has played a vital role in major conflicts since Vietnam, such as Bosnia, Kosovo, Rwanda and, more recently, has supported U.S. and allied ground forces in both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
AC-130s were some of the first air assets to deploy in preparation for operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, serving as a force multiplier by providing precision close-air support with the ability to loiter over the battlefield for extended periods of time.
Work will be performed at Northrop Grumman's Huntsville, Ala., facility. The first phase of the contract is to demonstrate the use of Viper Strike from the Gunship and is expected to be completed in December 2006.
The contract's second phase will test the military utility of the weapon system and address the possibility of incorporating a data link and additional communications.
In an earlier news release, Dave Shrum, vice president of Northrop Grumman's Land Forces business unit said, "Viper Strike can add to AC-130 capability by providing a light-weight, low-collateral damage precision weapon at longer range. We're excited to be working with the special operations community to bring Viper Strike to its weapon arsenal."
Lt. Col. Steve Knutson, deputy chief of test technology and experimentation division for AFSOC, said, "If the upcoming demonstration proves advantageous to the military and the decision is made to transition the Viper Strike capabilities to the gunship, that upgrade would complement the most lethal aircraft in the Air Force inventory."
The AC-130 Systems Squadron of ASC's Special Operations Forces Systems Group oversees development, production, testing, modification, fielding and support of the AC-130. (Courtesy of AFMC News Service)
Let's "demonstrate" it on the Taliban and the scumbags planting roadside bombs in Iraq.
"...and would have been deployed to Somalia if the president at the time wasn't too busy masturbating in the oval office sink."
We need to "step-up" the war on terror in IRAQ IMHO. I know we expect to take considerable thime there but I'd like to get a bit more agressive.
Ah, geesh.
They are trying to make the AC-130 even MORE lethal? :0)
There's a certain breed of 'geek' which loves doing that sort of thing ...
As the saying goes, too much is just about right.
Sometimes he was shoving cigars into interns.
http://www.defense-update.com/directory/viper-strike.htm
I wish the number of craft and the units that operate them were never revealed.
They are trying to make the AC-130 even MORE lethal?
As the saying goes, too much is just about right.
Adding flyable HEAT rounds seems like a nice addition. How about adding one of the Fuel Air super daisy cutters as well. Oh, I guess they weigh so much they save them for the other C-130's, just to share the fun.
This is one poet who likes lots of military firepower!
Just as I was having a nostalgic moment about "Puff".
Always did like the C47.
I think the idea is to add precision to the AC130, not to make an A-10 out of it.
The big advantage of the AC130 in counterinsurgency is the loiter time.
But its cannons aren't quite good enough at avoiding collateral damage.
I'll bet a Predator with a couple wings full of Vipers would be quite the terror weapon with its 24 hr loiter time. Bad guys could get real nervous knowing that thing is overhead waiting for one of them to pop their head up, then POOF! Bad guy splattered across the ground without warning.
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