Manonthestreet
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- May 20, 2014
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The U model, aka “Spooky,” is the classic gunship configuration with multiple cannon, including the 105 mm. The W model, aka “Stinger II,” was a special innovation for Afghanistan that had smart weapons — Griffin Missiles and Small Diameter Bombs — but no gun heavier than 30mm. The J-model Ghostrider was originally supposed to enter service looking a lot like the Stinger, with a 30mm gun, Griffins, and SDBs, but with enough spare power and room to maybe mount the 105 mm at some later point. Heithold decided Ghostrider “maybe later” wasn’t good enough.
The venerable 105 gun is in some ways more precise than smart weapons, Heithold said, because its shells contain much less explosive than even the Small Diameter Bomb. Because those shells are smaller than missiles or bombs, an airplane can also carry a lot more of them. And they’re a lot less expensive than smart weapons.
“An AC-130 is a precision strike platform in itself. It precisely delivers very low yield munitions with a 30 [mm gun] and a 105… and they’re very inexpensive to deliver,” Heithold said: about $400 for a 105 mm shell versus $125,000 for a relatively low-cost
The big gun isn’t the only upgrade the Ghostriders will need, however. They currently lack the full suite of defenses found on the older aircraft Ghostrider 8217 s Big Gun AC-130J Gets 105 ASAP Laser Later Breaking Defense - Defense industry news analysis and commentary
The venerable 105 gun is in some ways more precise than smart weapons, Heithold said, because its shells contain much less explosive than even the Small Diameter Bomb. Because those shells are smaller than missiles or bombs, an airplane can also carry a lot more of them. And they’re a lot less expensive than smart weapons.
“An AC-130 is a precision strike platform in itself. It precisely delivers very low yield munitions with a 30 [mm gun] and a 105… and they’re very inexpensive to deliver,” Heithold said: about $400 for a 105 mm shell versus $125,000 for a relatively low-cost
The big gun isn’t the only upgrade the Ghostriders will need, however. They currently lack the full suite of defenses found on the older aircraft Ghostrider 8217 s Big Gun AC-130J Gets 105 ASAP Laser Later Breaking Defense - Defense industry news analysis and commentary