Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      Dave King, of Lockheed Martin, marshals out the AC-130J Ghostrider as it taxis the runway for its first official sortie Jan. 31 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The Air Force Special Operations Command MC-130J arrived at Eglin in January 2013 to begin the modification process for the AC-130J, whose primary mission is close air support, air interdiction and armed reconnaissance. A total of 32 MC-130J prototypes will be modified as part of a $2.4 billion AC-130J program to grow the future fleet. (U.S. Air Force photo/Chrissy Cuttita)Dave King marshals out the AC-130J Ghostrider as it taxis the runway for its first official sortie Jan. 31, 2014 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The Air Force Special Operations Command MC-130J arrived at Eglin AFB in January of 2013 to begin the modification process for the AC-130J, whose primary mission is close air support, air interdiction and armed reconnaissance. A total of 32 MC-130J prototypes will be modified as part of a $2.4 billion AC-130J program to grow the future fleet. King is a contractor for Lockheed Martin. (U.S. Air Force photo/Chrissy Cuttita)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        The newly created AC-130J Ghostrider takes to the air during its first official sortie Jan. 31 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The Air Force Special Operations Command MC-130J arrived at Eglin in January 2013 to begin the modification process for the AC-130J, whose primary mission is close air support, air interdiction and armed reconnaissance. A total of 32 MC-130J prototypes will be modified as part of a $2.4 billion AC-130J program to grow the future fleet. (U.S. Air Force photo/Sara Vidoni)The newly created AC-130J Ghostrider takes to the air during its first official sortie Jan. 31, 2014 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The Air Force Special Operations Command MC-130J arrived at Eglin AFB in January of 2013 to begin the modification process for the AC-130J, whose primary mission is close air support, air interdiction and armed reconnaissance. (U.S. Air Force photo/Sara Vidoni)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        Capt. Steve Visalli, a flight test engineer with the 413th Flight Test Squadron, boards the newly created AC-130J Ghostrider in anticipation of its first official sortie Jan. 31 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The Air Force Special Operations Command MC-130J arrived at Eglin in January 2013 to begin the modification process for the AC-130J, whose primary mission is close air support, air interdiction and armed reconnaissance. A total of 32 MC-130J prototypes will be modified as part of a $2.4 billion AC-130J program to grow the future fleet. (U.S. Air Force photo/Chrissy Cuttita)Capt. Steve Visalli boards the newly created AC-130J Ghostrider in anticipation of its first official sortie Jan. 31, 2014 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The AC-130J’s primary mission is close air support, air interdiction and armed reconnaissance. Visalli is a flight test engineer with the 413th Flight Test Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Chrissy Cuttita)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res

New AC-130J completes first test flightPublished Feb. 9, 2014
                    
                    By Samuel King Jr.
                    
                    
                    Eglin Public Affairs
            **EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) --**After more than a year of modification maintenance, the newly created AC-130J Ghostrider took to the sky for the first time as a gunship here Jan. 31.
In early January 2013, the Air Force Special Operations Command MC-130J Commando II arrived here to begin the modification process with the goal of creating a "best of both worlds" aircraft. The end result became a hybrid C-130 model with the flying proficiencies of the MC-130J and the combat capabilities of an AC-130.
The modification was completed here because the AC-130J test team and test program are located at Eglin Air Force Base.
"After the modification was completed, the aircraft could remain here where we could take it out for the first flight,” said Maj. Brian Taliaferro, the aircraft commander for the flight. “That's why Eglin (AFB) was the best choice."
Converting a mobility aircraft into a strike aircraft meant adding some hardware. That came in the form of the Precision Strike Package, which was developed by U.S. Special Operations Command to support ground forces in overseas contingency operations.
"These new weapon systems and small diameter bombs provide over watch and further standoff distance to cover a wider range of space for our warfighters on the ground," said Maj. Eric Ripple, the USSOCOM Detachment 1 commander.
The Precision Strike Package includes dual electro-optical infrared sensors, a 30-mm cannon, AGM-176A Griffin missiles, all-weather synthetic aperture radar and GBU-39 small diameter bomb capabilities. The sensors allow the gunship to visually or electronically identify friendly ground forces and targets at any time, even in adverse weather.
Pairing weapons with a networked battle management system, enhanced communications and situational awareness upgrades the AC-130J’s ability to deliver surgical firepower.
"We get the successes of the Precision Strike Package and marry it up with the advantages of the J-model bringing the best two C-130s together in a new weapons system," said Todd McGinnis, the USSOCOM AC-130J modification manager at Det. 1.
The aircrew from Eglin's AFB 413th Flight Test Squadron took the new aircraft out for its first official sortie. The squadron is the lead participating test organization for the developmental testing of the AC-130J.
"As with any new or highly modified aircraft, the initial goal is to ensure the aircraft design or modification does not adversely affect the flying and handling qualities," Taliaferro said. "We have dedicated six flights at the beginning of the test program to accomplish this task."
According to Taliaferro, to be involved with a first flight is rare in the test pilot community, but they are trained to accomplish a mission like this.
“It's rewarding when the training leads to a successful, smooth flight like this one," he said. "The flight went excellent. We met our primary objective, which was to clear the envelope sufficiently to allow for a safe landing."
To do this, after takeoff, the aircrew left the landing gear and flaps down until reaching a safe altitude. They incrementally slowed the aircraft to touchdown speed, checking the flying and handling qualities at each speed. The 413th FLTS crew also completed multiple swings of the landing gear to ensure it had proper clearance with the new modifications. They also performed flying and handling quality assurance tests during the three and a half hour flight.
"This is a big accomplishment not just for the AC-130J test team and the 413th FLTS, but also for the 96th Test Wing, who provided many pivotal support functions to make this flight a success," Taliaferro said.
A total of 32 MC-130J aircraft will be modified for AFSOC as part of a $2.4 billion AC-130J program to grow the future fleet, according to Capt. Greg Sullivan, the USSOCOM AC-130J on-site program manager at Det. 1.
*(Raquel Sanchez contributed to this article)*Air Force Special Operations Command 



MC-130J 



AC-130J Ghostrider

Related Links
        AC-130J Ghostrider
                                March 16, 2021
                                The AC-130J is a highly modified C-130J aircraft that contains many advanced features. It contains an advanced two-pilot flight station with fully integrated digital avionics. Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                DAF leaders talk budget, reoptimizing the force
                    
                    DAF leaders speak at National Character and Leadership Symposium
                    
                    DAF members recognized during BEYA STEM awards
                    
                    DAF senior enlisted advisors discuss Airmen, Guardians in the fight
                    
                    SecAF Kendall AFA Warfare Symposium Q&A: Reoptimizing for Great Power CompetitionInnovation
                AFWERX director discusses role of tech startups, quick innovation in Great Power Competition
                    
                    DAF delivers lethality at the speed of data during Project Convergence Capstone 4
                    
                    DAF welcomes industry partners to HQ development program
                    
                    DAF announces Spark Tank 2024 finalists
                    
                    Chief Digital, Artificial Intelligence Office to host hackathon in HawaiiMAJCOM News
                Safety enterprise announces new mission, vision, goals in 2024 strategic plan
                    
                    Air Combat Command welcomes new commander
                    
                    USAFE-AFAFRICA commander discusses Integrated Air, Missile Defense during Munich Security Conference
                    
                    Flosi to AFMC family: Embrace change, make every day count
                    
                    AMC rises to increasing global tension
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil