Katerina Swanson
The Lockheed AC-130 is a heavily armed, long-endurance ground-attack variant of the C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. The AC-130J Ghostrider, which entered initial operation in 2017, is lighter and more fuel-efficient than its predecessors, with a range of 3,000 miles (4,800 km) and a service ceiling of 28,000 feet (8,500 m). The AC-130 is capable of delivering precision firepower over long periods, at night, and in adverse weather conditions. While the exact fuel capacity of the AC-130 is not publicly available, the C-130 Hercules has undergone modifications to increase its fuel capacity, with some variants carrying up to 40,000 pounds (18,000 kg) of fuel.
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What You'll Learn
The AC-130U gunship's record-breaking flight
The AC-130 is a heavily armed, long-endurance aircraft capable of delivering precision firepower over a target area for an extended period. The AC-130U "Spooky" is an upgraded version of the AC-130, featuring a 25 mm GAU-12 Equalizer cannon, an improved fire-control system, and increased ammunition capacity.
On October 22-23, 1997, two AC-130U gunships set a new record for the longest sustained flight by any C-130. They flew nonstop for 36 hours from Hurlburt Field to Taegu Air Base (Daegu), South Korea, and were refueled seven times in the air by KC-135 tankers, taking on a total of 410,000 lb (186,000 kg) of fuel. This record-breaking flight demonstrated the AC-130U's exceptional endurance and range capabilities.
The AC-130U has been a vital asset for the US military in various conflicts, including the buildup of forces in Iraq in 1998 and deployments to the War in Afghanistan and the Iraq War. Its advanced technologies, such as the AN/APQ-180 synthetic aperture radar, allow it to identify targets and friendly forces in most weather conditions. The AC-130U's ability to attack two targets simultaneously makes it a highly effective weapon system.
The AC-130U has undergone various upgrades and modifications throughout its service life. In 2007, a program was initiated to replace the 25 mm GAU-12/U and 40 mm Bofors cannons with two 30 mm Mk 44 Bushmaster II cannons. However, this plan was ultimately canceled due to accuracy issues and schedule considerations. The AC-130U returned from its final combat deployment on July 8, 2019, and the last AC-130U was retired in June 2020, paving the way for the newer AC-130J Ghostrider variant.
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The AC-130's fuel capacity
The AC-130 is a variant of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules. The fuel capacity of the AC-130 varies depending on the model.
The AC-130U is a type of gunship that set a new record for the longest sustained flight by any C-130 in October 1997. During this flight, two AC-130U gunships flew for 36 hours non-stop, taking on 410,000 pounds (186,000 kg) of fuel from KC-135 tankers.
The AC-130J Ghostrider, which was introduced in 2017, is lighter and more fuel-efficient than previous versions. It has a range of 3,000 miles (4,800 km) and can fly at a service ceiling of 28,000 feet (8,500 m).
The C-130B model of the Hercules, which entered service in 1959, featured increased fuel capacity in the form of auxiliary tanks built into the centre wing section. The C-130B-II variant is distinguished by its false external wing fuel tanks, which are slightly larger than the standard wing tanks found on other C-130Bs.
The KC-130 tankers, originally procured for the US Marine Corps in 1958, are equipped with a removable 3,600 US gallon (14,000-litre) stainless steel fuel tank carried inside the cargo compartment. They also have two wing-mounted hose and drogue aerial refueling pods that can transfer fuel to two aircraft simultaneously.
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The KC-130 tanker's fuel transfer
The KC-130 tanker, originally designated as the C-130F, was procured for the US Marine Corps (USMC) in 1958. It is equipped with a removable 3,600 US-gallon (14,000-litre) stainless steel fuel tank carried inside its cargo compartment. The KC-130 has two wing-mounted hose and drogue aerial refueling pods, each capable of transferring up to 300 US gallons per minute (1,100 litres per minute) to two aircraft simultaneously. This enables rapid cycle times for multiple-receiver aircraft formations, allowing a typical tanker formation of four aircraft to be refueled in less than 30 minutes.
The KC-130 is a variant of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules, which was designed specifically as a combat transport aircraft. The Hercules introduced a turboprop powerplant, the Allison T56, which gave the aircraft greater range than a turbojet engine as it used less fuel. However, the specific configuration chosen for the T56 had the potential to cause structural failure if an engine failed. To address this issue, some structural improvements were made, particularly in the C-130H model, which features updated T56-A-15 turboprops and a redesigned outer wing.
The initial production model of the Hercules was the C-130A, which entered service in December 1956. However, as the C-130A became operational, its lack of range became apparent, and additional fuel capacity was added. The C-130B model, introduced in 1959, incorporated increased fuel capacity in the form of auxiliary tanks built into the center wing section. The extended-range C-130E model, which entered service in 1962, featured even larger external fuel tanks under each wing's midsection, further increasing its range.
The KC-130 has played a crucial role in aerial refueling operations, including for the AC-130 gunships. In October 1997, two AC-130U gunships set a new record for the longest sustained flight by any C-130 when they flew nonstop from Hurlburt Field to Taegu Air Base in South Korea, being refueled seven times in the air by KC-135 tankers. The KC-135 is another example of a military aerial refueling tanker aircraft, and it has been extensively used by the United States Air Force for over 60 years.
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The C-130B-II's false external wing fuel tanks
The C-130 Hercules is a military aircraft that has been in service with the US and other nations since the 1950s. The C-130B-II is an electronic reconnaissance variant of the C-130B. A total of 13 aircraft were converted to C-130B-IIs.
The C-130B-II is distinguished by its false external wing fuel tanks, which were actually disguised signals intelligence (SIGINT) receiver antennas. These pods were slightly larger than the standard wing tanks found on other C-130Bs. The false fuel tanks were necessary to disguise the true mission of the aircraft, which was electronic reconnaissance. To further confuse observers, the radio call numbers on the tail of these aircraft were regularly changed.
The C-130B-II was developed to address the C-130A's lack of range. The C-130A's limited range became apparent as it became operational with the Tactical Air Command (TAC). As a result, the C-130B model was developed to include increased fuel capacity in the form of auxiliary tanks built into the center wing section and an AC electrical system. The C-130B also featured more powerful Allison T56-A-9 turboprops with three-blade propellers.
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The AC-130J Ghostrider's fuel efficiency
The AC-130J Ghostrider is a highly modified C-130J aircraft that has undergone significant transformations to maintain its superiority on the battlefield. The AC-130J is lighter and more fuel-efficient than previous versions, with a maximum speed of 416 mph (669 km/h) and a range of 3,000 mi (4,800 km). It has a service ceiling of 28,000 ft (8,500 m).
The AC-130J Ghostrider is a formidable United States Air Force asset and is the latest and most advanced variant of the AC-130 gunship series. It was introduced in 2015 and represents the pinnacle of modern aerial firepower. The AC-130J is equipped with state-of-the-art avionics, providing superior navigation, communication, and targeting capabilities. The advanced systems ensure precise mission execution, even in challenging environments.
The Ghostrider features a fully digital cockpit, improving crew efficiency and reducing human error risk. The digital interface allows seamless integration with other aircraft and ground forces. The aircraft is also designed to reduce the workload on its crew, with automated systems and a streamlined interface. This results in higher operational efficiency and effectiveness.
While I cannot find the exact fuel capacity of the AC-130J, I did find that the aircraft is based on the MC-130J, which has been estimated to burn approximately 58 kg of fuel to climb 1000 ft (305 m) under atmospheric conditions and at standard speeds.
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Frequently asked questions
The fuel capacity of an AC-130 varies depending on the model. The initial production model, the C-130A, had a total fuel capacity of 40,000 pounds (18,000 kg). Newer models, such as the AC-130J Ghostrider, are more fuel-efficient and have a range of 3,000 miles (4,800 km).
The AC-130 is a heavily armed, long-endurance ground-attack aircraft. It is used for close air support missions, including supporting ground troops, escorting convoys, and urban operations. The AC-130 has seen combat in Afghanistan and Iraq, and has been used by the US military for various operations.
The AC-130J Ghostrider can fly at speeds of up to 416 mph (669 km/h) with a service ceiling of 28,000 feet (8,500 m).
The AC-130 is manufactured by Lockheed Martin, with Boeing responsible for the conversion into a gunship and aircraft support.
