An MC-130W Combat Spear taxis down the Hurlburt Field, Fla., runway. The aircraft's mission is to conduct infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of U.S. and allied special operations forces. (U.S. Air Force photo/Denise Boyd)
The Air Force Special Operations Command’s MC-130W takes off on its maiden flight over Hurlburt Field, Fla., in 2006. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Andy Biro).
CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M.-- Airmen from the 27th Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron perform a pre-flight inspection on an MC-130W Combat Spear in preparation for a night flying mission April 29. The MC-130W performs missions primarily at night to reduce operational risk. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Liliana Moreno)
Mission The primary mission of the MC-130W Dragon Spear is armed overwatch. While similar to the AC-130's missions, Dragon Spear is primarily focused on performing reconnaissance over friendly positions and may directly deliver ordnance to precise targets to support ground forces. Armed overwatch can be defined as close air support (CAS) aircraft on station over friendly positions performing reconnaissance when threat permits and when not being used to directly deliver ordnance. This may prevent an unexpected ambush or stop units advancing to reinforce. The aircraft is ready at a moment's notice to deliver ordnance to support ground forces. Additional missions of which Dragon Spear will be capable include Close Air Support, CAS Troops in Contact, Strike Coordination and Reconnaissance, Non Traditional ISR and Command and Control. Additionally, the aircraft is configured to be able to load and deliver cargo or personnel and be used in a limited mobility role.
Features
The aircraft is a highly modified C-130H featuring improved navigation, threat detection, countermeasures, and communication suites. All MC-130W aircraft are modified with a precision strike package to perform the armed overwatch role.
Modifications to the MC-130W include a mission management console, communications suite, two electro-optical/infrared sensors, fire control equipment, precision guided munitions delivery capability, and one side-firing, trainable 30mm gun with tracer- less ammunition and associated munitions storage system. The mission management system will fuse sensor, communication, environment, order of battle, and threat information into a common operating picture. The MC-130W Dragon Spear Precision Strike Package modification will provide ground forces an expeditionary, direct fires platform that is persistent, delivering precision low yield munitions ideally suited for urban operations.
Background Lessons learned from OCO have modified the near-term needs of USSOCOM and Special Operations Forces (SOF) fire support requirements. In July 2007, the USSOCOM Commander declared the need to grow the gunship fleet. The Commander's intent was not to replace current AC-130s, but rather to augment existing combat capability.
The MC-130W Dragon Spear Project has been developed to increase the precision fires capacity available for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO)
USSOCOM is using proven rapid acquisition principles and combat proven technology to field the Precision Strike Package (PSP) on the MC-130W Dragon Spear
-- From first flight of prototype modified aircraft to deployment to Operation New Dawn in less than 18 months.
General Characteristics
Contractor: Lockheed
Power Plant: 4 Allison T56-A-15 turboprops Speed: 300 mph Ceiling: 33,000 feet Maximum Takeoff Weight: 155,000 pounds Range: 2,700 nautical miles; In-flight refueling extends this to unlimited range MC-130W Crew: Two pilots, two navigators (officers); flight engineer, two loadmasters (enlisted) MC-130W w/PSP: Two pilots, two combat system officers (CSOs), flight engineer, two load/gunners Armament: Precision Strike Package (PSP) - 30mm modified MK-44 cannon; SOPGM (Viper Strike/Griffin) Date Deployed: MC-130W with PSP November, 2010 Unit Cost: MC-130W, $60 million; PSP, $39M Inventory: Active force, 12; Reserve/ANG, 0
Point Of Contact Air Force Special Operations Command, Public Affairs Office, 229 Cody Ave., Suite 103; Hurlburt Field, FL 32544-5312; DSN 579-5515 or 850-884-5515; e-mail: afsoc.pa@hurlburt.af.mil