The AC-130U Gunship program explores viper strike capability

www.defencetalk.com
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio: 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.

source

Intresting, I wonder how their gonna shoot it out of the guns? Or maybe their gonna modify the munition, but thats weird because its more of a missile then a bullet or shell. Hmm, interesting..

Mod Edit: Placed Copy & Paste In Quote Box.

[edit on 1/11/2005 by Mirthful Me]

Actually its more like a small bomb. They would most likely mount 1 or 2 dozen of them on the wings.

Isn't this Viper Strike munition a spin off from the JSOW submunition? If you could put a small booster rocket to give it some standoff capability, you could probably make a launcher like the ones currently used for the 2.75 inch Hydra rockets. Add in the infrared and low light capability of the AC-130 this could be a lethal combination.

Viper Strike is a gliding munition capable of stand-off
precision attack using GPS-aided navigation and a semi-active laser seeker. It is intended for operations that require a flexible angle of inclination (steep or shallow), particularly in mountainous terrain or built-up areas where strict rules of engagement are in force. Its small size and precision provide for low collateral damage in cluttered urban environments.

They've already armed Hunter UAVs with 4 or 6 on each one.

the more accurate the better. By the way has anyone here seen the footage of the AC-130 in iraq attacking insurgents? I hope im not offending anyone but that thing was crazy the plane is like a battleship in the air. Does anyone know how long we can expect to have these airframes for and if there is a replacement program going on?

Originally posted by Canada_EH
Does anyone know how long we can expect to have these airframes for and if there is a replacement program going on?

THere has been talk about buying some C-130J's for the AC role. More fuel and power etc. There also remains persistent rumors of an proposed AC-17 variant. That is unlikely as they are not going to be able to buy enough of the C-17's for lift let alone a gunship.

Just for those who don't know what the AC 130 is, the airforce website had this to say about it's gunship:

The AC-130H Spectre gunship's primary missions are close air support, air interdiction and armed reconnaissance. Other missions include perimeter and point defense, escort, landing, drop and extraction zone support, forward air control, limited command and control, and combat search and rescue. These heavily armed aircraft incorporate side-firing weapons integrated with sophisticated sensor, navigation and fire control systems to provide surgical firepower or area saturation during extended periods, at night and in adverse weather. The sensor suite consists of a low-light-level television sensor and an infrared sensor. Radar and electronic sensors also give the gunship a method of positively identifying friendly ground forces as well as effective ordnance delivery during adverse weather conditions. Navigational devices include an inertial navigation system and global positioning system.

Originally posted by FredT
THere has been talk about buying some C-130J's for the AC role. More fuel and power etc. There also remains persistent rumors of an proposed AC-17 variant. That is unlikely as they are not going to be able to buy enough of the C-17's for lift let alone a gunship.

Some high time C-17 airframes will start becoming available fairly soon. As the equipment proposed to convert them to the AC-17 designation is much lighter than their usual cargo loads it should be possible to conver some of these. The cost of refurbishing them to ther original specifications has been considered too expensive. The other option is to derate their max load and use them at a reduced capability.