Monday, March 11, 2019

4th SOS gets upgraded gunship

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. - The 4th Special Operations Squadron, part of the 1st Special Operations Wing, received an upgraded version of the Ghostrider gunship, the Block 30 model AC-130J. The 4th SOS, the Air Forces most deployed squadron, currently uses the AC-130U Spooky, which is slowly being retired from active duty after more than 20 years of operation. The new model will have the same role as the current one, air interdiction, armed reconnaissance and close air support, but with upgraded avionics, navigation systems and a Precision Strike Package that includes trainable 30mm and 105mm weapons. It also costs less to operate per flying hour because of upgraded turboprop engines. (Source: GCAC, 03/10/19)