US Air Force Special Operations Aviation
During the war in Southeast Asia, the leadership of the US Department of Defense came to understand that in order to support units performing special missions behind enemy lines, modified aircraft are needed that differ from those used in line units. aviation units designed to support the operations of special forces were organizationally part of the Tactical Aviation Command. On February 10, 1983, the 23rd Aviation Command was formed to control special-purpose aviation, the headquarters of which was deployed at Scott Airbase in Illinois. On May 22, 1990, the United States Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) was formed. AFSOC - is the highest command and administrative body of special forces, carrying out operational planning and control of the combat use of special forces and units in the Air Force. Its main governing bodies and subordinate units of special forces are stationed on the territory of the Girlbert Field military base in Florida.
In the 1980-ies, the following responsibilities were assigned to the 23-e command: delivery and evacuation of special forces operating on enemy territory, illegal cargo delivery, aviation security of ballistic missiles, meteorological reconnaissance, parachute training for fighters. At present, the aircraft of the special operations forces have unique capabilities to provide sabotage and intelligence operations, special intelligence, psychological, search and rescue and other operations. In addition to aviation formations, it includes special tactical squadrons, the personnel of which are prepared for direct participation in search and rescue operations, as well as for solving combat control tasks, advanced aviation guidance, training of landing areas, and meteorological support.
According to American data, the current number of personnel of the Air Force MTR exceeds 15 thousand troops, of which 3 thousand are in reserve components. In the arsenal in the 2017 year there were 136 special-purpose aircraft and convertiplanes, including: 31 strike AC-130 and 105 multipurpose: 49 CV-22 and 56 MS-130. MTR aviation wings are based both on the continental United States and at advanced air bases (UK and Japan). They are promptly subordinate to the Joint Command of the Special Operations Forces, whose headquarters is located at McDill Air Force Base, Florida.
Google Earth satellite image: U.S. Air Force special operations planes at the Earlbird Field airbase
As part of the 1st air wing assigned to the airbase Girlbert Field, there are 9 squadrons equipped with AC-130U, MS-130H, U-28A aircraft, CV-22 convertiplanes and armed drones MQ-9.
At the Cannon air base in New Mexico, the 27 special operations aviation wing is deployed, consisting of 7 squadrons armed with: MC-130J, AC-130W, HC-130J, U-28A, CV-22B, MQ-9. The following tasks are assigned to the personnel of the 1 and 27 acres: providing direct air support to special forces units, delivering reconnaissance and sabotage units to the enemy rear, organizing material and technical support and evacuating special units after completing tasks, conducting reconnaissance, search and rescue crews of airplanes and helicopters in distress behind enemy lines, as well as other personnel in emergency situations.
The 24 e-wing of special operations includes eight tactical squadrons, the main tasks of which are: control of combat operations of aircraft during the application of air strikes, interaction of MTR aviation and ground forces, coordination of the evacuation of special forces from the combat area, navigation support using temporary beacons, selection and preparation of landing areas, meteorological support. Part of the personnel of special tactical squadrons prepared for use in search and rescue operations.
The area of responsibility of the 352 Air Special Operations Wing deployed at the Mildenhall British airbase includes Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Two squadrons fly on the MC-130J and CV-22B, one more is tactical - that is, it is equipped with military personnel with special training.
The 353 I Special Operations Aviation Group consists of three aviation squadrons, a maintenance squadron, and a special technical squadron. It is intended for operations in the Asia-Pacific region with headquarters at the Japanese air base Kaden. Until recently, the group was armed with MC-130H / P aircraft, and is now in the process of re-equipping.
The 492th Special Operations Aviation Wing, stationed in Goerlbert Field, is in many ways a unique unit dedicated to operations in Third World countries and in the territories of the former Soviet republics. This aviation unit is the only one in the US Air Force where the S-6Т (DC-47), Soviet-made An-3, twin-engine C-26 (Spanish C-41), CN-212 are operated as part of the 235 special operating squadron and medium military transport C-130Е, as well as helicopters: UH-1Н / N and Russian Mi-8 / 17.
Three more special operations squadrons are armed with the "gangships" AC-130Н / U / W and airplanes, supporting the actions of the special forces MS-130Н / J. The 492 Air Force is also involved in the training of military personnel trained at the United States Air Force Special Operations Training Center, located in Earlbird Field. Considerable attention in the preparation of the personnel of the Air Force MTR is given to actions at night in difficult weather conditions at low and extremely low altitudes. Of particular importance when performing special operations is given to the achievement of surprise and stealth actions.
The AFSOC’s operational reserve and training center is the 919 e-wing, deployed in the vicinity of the Eglin air base, at the Herzog-Field airfield (Auxiliary field No. 3). Pilots of two squadrons of the 919 acre fly on the C-145A, U-28A and C-146A. Another squadron is equipped with an MQ-9 UAV.
The 193 wing of the special operations of the National Guard Air Force, deployed at the Harrisburg Air Base in Pennsylvania, is designed to solve the problems of information support for military operations. Armed with two squadrons of this wing, psychological warfare aircraft EC-130J Commando Solo III and passenger C-32В (Boeing 757) with equipment for refueling in the air. Also, as part of the Air Force MTR, there are separate divisions of material, technical, medical and meteorological and navigation-related support.
The Air Force COO is armed with specially modified aircraft, helicopters, tiltrotoplanes and UAVs. Their common design differences from standard samples are: the use of more powerful engines, equipping with visibility reduction systems, an increased fuel supply and the presence of a fuel refueling system in the air.
The most famous AFSOC aircraft, of course, are the "gunships" built on the basis of the C-130 Hercules four-engine turboprop aircraft. Currently, the US operates AC-130U Spooky (17 units), AC-130W Stinger II (14 units) and AC-130J Ghostrider (it is planned to purchase 32 aircraft). The last AC-130H was withdrawn from service and sent to the Davis Monten storage base in 2015.
The combat biography of the gunboats, created on the basis of various modifications of the Hercules military transport, is very saturated. The first modifications of the AC-130 were used during the Vietnam War. The Ganships then participated in US military operations around the world. In the 1983 year, they were noted during the American invasion of Grenada. From 1983 to 1990, the AC-130H, secretly based in Honduras, attacked partisan camps in El Salvador at night. In 1989, during Operation Just Cause, the headquarters of the Panama Defense Forces were destroyed by the fire of 105 mm aircraft guns. Ganships were actively used during two campaigns against Iraq. In January 1991, the AC-130Н operating during daylight hours was struck by the Strela-2M MANPADS, all 14 crew members on board were killed. This was the first and last loss of the “flying gunboat” since the war in Southeast Asia. Subsequently, the AC-130 of various modifications were actively used in the territory of the former Yugoslavia, in Somalia and Afghanistan. As of July 2010, eight AC-130H and 17 AC-130U were in military service. By September 2013, the 14 MC-130W Dragon Spear aircraft were urgently converted to the AC-130W Stinger II. These aircraft were intended to replace the aging AC-130H in Afghanistan. The decommissioning process for AC-130U began in the year 2019.
In addition to cannon weapons, special forces support aircraft converted into ganships were given the opportunity to use laser-guided aviation munitions. The avionics included additional infrared and electron-optical sensors, and the possibility of suspension under the wing in 250-pound bombs. The main weapons of the AC-130U Spooky II are the five-barrel 25-mm automatic gun, the 40-mm automatic with cassette loading L / 60 Bofors and the 105-mm howitzer M102. More modern AC-130W Stinger IIs are armed with the 30-mm gun GAU-23 / A, and the AC-130J Ghostrider 30-mm automatic gun and 105-mm howitzer. In the fuselage of the new “ganships”, tube launchers for guided munitions AGM-176 Griffin and GBU-44 / B Viper Strike are installed. AGM-114 Hellfire ATGMs, GBU-39 and GBU-53 / B guided bombs can be suspended under the wing.
To mitigate the vulnerability of a large and slow aircraft from air defense systems, a counteraction complex was installed. It includes a radar receiver AN / ALR-69, missile warning equipment AN / AAR-44, electronic jamming stations AN / ALQ-172 and AN / ALQ-196, a system for shooting thermal and radar traps. Great expectations are placed on the laser equipment AN / AAQ-24 Nemesis, which should suppress the infrared-seeker attacking the missile aircraft. All equipment of the defense complex is controlled by a single computer system operating in automatic or semi-automatic mode. Given the fact that the "ganships" are designed mainly for work in the dark, the use of modern means of self-defense should guarantee their invulnerability.
In the 21 century, American Ganships were noted in Afghanistan (from 2001 to 2010 the operation “Enduring Freedom”), in Iraq (from 2003 to 2011 the year - Operation “Freedom of Iraq”). In 2007, US Special Operations Forces also used the AC-130 to attack Islamic militants in Somalia. In March 2011, the Air Force deployed two AC-130U gunboats to participate in Operation Dawn of the Odyssey against Libya. In November 2015 of the year in Syria, the Ganship and the A-10С Thunderbolt II attack aircraft unit during Operation Tidal Wave II destroyed more than 100 oil tankers and armed pickups of radical Islamic militants. On the night of 7 on 8 on February 2018, AC-130, interacting with F-15E fighter-bombers, MQ-9 UAVs and AN-64 fire support helicopters, attacked Syrian government forces trying to take control of the gas refinery and the X gas refinery , in the province of Deir ez-Zor. According to a number of sources, Russian citizens also suffered during the airstrike.
The MC-130H Combat Talon II / MC-130J Commando II / MC-130P Combat Shadow planes are much less known, but no less important compared to the "ganships" for the American special forces. Like the AC-130, a family of aircraft designed to support the operations of special forces was created on the basis of Hercules. The main objectives of the multi-purpose MS-130 are covert penetration into enemy territory. This machine is designed to supply MTR units, search and evacuation of reconnaissance and sabotage groups behind enemy lines, and to refuel helicopters and aircraft, including over its territory.
The oldest in the family of special transport and tankers are four MC-130Р Combat Shadow, adopted more than 40 years ago. These aircraft are designed to search for crews of downed aircraft, to be used as an air command post during search and rescue operations and to refuel rescue helicopters in the air. The last of the 24 MS-130E Combat Talon I built during the Vietnam War was decommissioned in 2015 year.
Designed to replace these machines, the MC-130Н Combat Talon II was adopted in the 1991 year. Among the features of the MC-130H are the possibility of non-stop evacuation of people and property using the Fulton system, landing on poorly prepared soil sites, landing of cargoes using the JPADS precision drop system and the use of aerial bombs - GBU-43 / B MOAB (Massive Ordnance Air Blast - heavy explosive ordnance) weighing 9,5 t. The MOAB bomb is equipped with the KMU-593 / B guidance system, which includes inertial and satellite navigation systems.
MS-130Н, unlike the transport C-130Н, is equipped with a system for refueling in the air, explosion-proof fuel tanks, a landing system from low-altitude at high flight speeds and more advanced electronic equipment. AN / APQ-170 radar and the AN / AAQ-15 infrared station provide flight in the mode of following the terrain and flying around obstacles. Radar can also work in high-resolution terrain mapping modes and conduct weather reconnaissance. The mass of an empty aircraft compared to the C-130Н increased by approximately 4000 kg and is about 40,4 t (maximum take-off 69 750 kg). Due to the installation of the nose radome radar, the length compared to the C-130Н carrier increased by 0,9 m. The MS-130Н can transport 52 fully equipped paratroopers.
Currently, the MS-130H is already considered obsolete, mainly involved in secondary tasks and routine transportation. In the next 10 years, the MC-130Н should be replaced by the MC-130J. However, due to the fact that the creation of the MC-130J was delayed, and the aircraft itself was very expensive, the command of the MTR Air Force decided to replace the decommissioned MC-130Е / R with the modification MC-130W Combat Spear. The first MC-130W was handed over to AFSOC in the 2006 year. In the 2010 year, all ordered 14 machines reached operational readiness. The aircraft were built on the basis of the C-130N of the 1987-1991 issue, which were purchased from the Reserve Command of the US Air Force and the National Guard Air Force. This allowed us to save about $ 8 million when buying each car. MS-130W received a standard set of special purposes: satellite communications using packet data, satellite and inertial navigation systems, meteorological and navigation radar AN / APN-241, electronic warfare systems and devices for shooting thermal traps and dipole reflectors, equipment that allows receiving and transmitting aviation fuel in flight. At the same time, the MS-130W is deprived of the ability to fly at extremely low altitude in conditions of poor visibility and at night, which limits the scope of this machine.
The newly launched company to combat "international terrorism" demanded an urgent replacement of the very worn-out "ganships" AC-130Н. In this regard, in May 2009, AFSOC launched a program to turn the MC-130W aircraft into the “air gunboats”.
The modification, armed with the 30-mm gun GAU-23 / A, guided munitions GBU-44 / B Viper Strike or AGM-176 Griffin, as well as ATGM AGM-114 Hellfire, was designated MC-130W Dragon Spear. Also, additional search and reconnaissance and sighting equipment was installed on the aircraft.
The first MC-130W Dragon Spear arrived in Afghanistan at the end of the 2010 year, and was very successful. Based on the results of combat use, all MC-130W decided to convert into an armed version, renaming the MC-130W Dragon Spear AC-130W Stinger II. The success of the MC-130W Dragon Spear was a decisive argument for the implementation of the new generation AC-130J Ghostrider ganship program.
In the mid-1990's, the command of the Air Force MTR began to express concern that the existing MS-130 were highly vulnerable to modern air defense systems, including MANPADS. Despite these concerns, the US Air Force decided to continue the modernization of special-purpose vehicles based on the Hercules turboprop. At the same time, a bet was made on low-altitude night flights with enveloping the terrain, and equipping aircraft with the most advanced anti-aircraft defense systems. In a report from the US Department of Defense for the 2006 year, based on an analysis of the use of MTR aviation, a concern was noted stating that the US Department of Defense "should expand the capabilities to support, deploy and evacuate special operations forces in restricted areas at strategic distances." Despite these concerns, the U.S. Air Force decided to continue modernizing the current forces. The Air Force leadership decided to build 37 new MC-130J to replace its MC-130E and MC-130P, built more than 40 years ago.
The MC-130J Commando II aircraft was created on the basis of the KS-130J flying tanker operated by the U.S. KMP. The KS-130J multi-purpose tanker aircraft, also capable of carrying weapons, was in turn designed on the basis of the new C-130J military transport aircraft with an extended fuselage and more economical Rolls-Royce AE 2100 D3 engines with 4591 power with six-bladed propellers with increased thrust. Compared to the MC-130H, the new MC-130J, thanks to its larger fuel tanks and lower specific fuel consumption, increased flight range from 4300 km to 5500 km.
In addition to the cockpit with modern avionics and the equipment for receiving and transmitting fuel borrowed from KS-130J, the new special forces aircraft received a reinforced wing, more suitable for flying at low altitude in conditions of increased turbulence. MC-130J is also equipped with advanced material handling equipment. The aircraft received communication, navigation and self-defense equipment, as on the new AC-130J “ganship”. The difference from AC-130J and KS-130J is the presence on board a system that allows, in conditions of poor visibility, to fly with enveloping terrain and a set of equipment that allows you to operate from unprepared sites. Given the fact that the MC-130J can operate at low altitude above enemy territory, the crew’s cabin and the most vulnerable units are covered with armor, and the protected tanks are filled with neutral gas. In addition to the elongated fuselage and turboprop engines with six-bladed propellers, visually the MC-130J can be distinguished from other modifications of the MC-130 by the small spherical "beard" of the AN / AAQ-15 optical-electronic survey system in the nose of the aircraft.
The first MC-130J, which entered the 522-th squadron of special operations from the 27-th air wing, reached operational readiness in September 2011. In total, AFSOC ordered the 37 MC-130J, which has already begun to replace other versions of the MS-130 at advanced bases in Japan and the UK.
Due to the fact that MC-130 aircraft often make low-altitude flights and land on unequipped runways, their losses are higher than that of other MTR aircraft built on the basis of C-130. Only the 21 century saw the loss of 5 aircraft. In Afghanistan, in the 2002 year, two MC-130P and MS-130Н aircraft were destroyed. Moreover, according to information released in the 2018 year, the MS-130N, officially classified as crashed as a result of a flight accident, was actually blown up by militants at a field airfield in the vicinity of Gardez. At the same time, two crew members and the passenger of the aircraft died. In August 2004, the MS-130Н crashed, flying at night in difficult meteorological conditions. 9 people were buried under its debris. In December 2004, the US Air Force command in Iraq ordered the destruction of the MC-130N damaged near Mosul. This was done to prevent the compromise of classified avionics. At the end of March 2005, the MC-130Н crashed into a mountain during a night flight at 80 km southeast of Tirana. Fourteen people on the plane died.
Another aircraft operating in the interests of the MTR is the search and rescue HC-130J Combat King II. This machine replaced the obsolete HC-130P / N Combat King in search and rescue squadrons. The HC-130J is capable of simultaneously refueling two other aircraft in the air and can refuel in flight with tankers equipped with booms such as KC-135, KC-10 and KC-46.
On board the HC-130J, equipment has been installed that allows it to be used as a command post during the search and rescue operation, as well as to locate emergency beacons and establish communication with the walkie-talkies included in the emergency kit. To perform take-off and landing at night, the crew has night vision goggles and an infrared survey station. The aircraft has enough space to accommodate rescue paratroopers and rescue boats being parachuted.
The first HC-130J was handed over on November 15, 2012 of the year to the 563th rescue team stationed at Davis-Montan Air Base, Arizona. In total, the US Air Force plans to acquire 78 search and rescue aircraft HC-130J. In contrast to the AC-130 and MS-130, they are planned to be used not only in the aviation of special operations forces, but also in the Reserve Command of the Air Force and the US National Air Guard.
In many ways, the unique Hercules-based aircraft is the EC-130J Commando Solo III. This machine replaced the EC-130E Commando Solo II, decommissioned in the 2006 year. The use of С-130J as a base for an "electronic" aircraft is good because the transporter has large significant internal volumes for placing equipment and operator workstations, as well as a considerable power reserve of the power plant. The spacious fuselage can accommodate a wide range of equipment and provide comfortable working conditions for service personnel, and the power reserve can be used to generate electricity for very "gluttonous" transmission stations.
EC-130J externally differs from other machines of the C-130 family by the presence of antennas on the keel. Six transmitters operating in the frequency range from 450 kHz to 350 MHz emit signals using 9 transmit antennas installed in different parts of the aircraft. A longitudinal antenna above the fuselage provides maximum broadcasting power in the lateral directions, and a complex of four television antennas on the keel - side down. A transmitting antenna of variable length, released from the tail, is designed to operate at various frequencies. On board there are eight radios that receive signals in the 200 kHz - 1000 MHz band. The radiation they capture goes to frequency spectrum analyzers that determine the parameters of the received signals and allow you to fine-tune your own transmissions to the frequency of the enemy’s radio and television transmitters. In-flight refueling equipment allows you to stay above the broadcast area for 10-12 hours continuously.
The avionics also include connected HF and VHF radio stations, satellite communications equipment, inertial and satellite navigation systems, warning equipment for radar radiation and electronic warfare, devices for shooting thermal traps and dipole reflectors. Specialized equipment allows the aircraft to broadcast and transmit color television signals of various standards in different frequency ranges. In addition to its direct purpose - conducting psychological operations - the EU-130J can be used as an electronic reconnaissance aircraft and electronic warfare, to disrupt the operation of radar, communication systems, television and radio broadcasting of the enemy. The “psychological warfare” airplanes may well be used for purely civilian purposes — providing local broadcasting in the event of natural disasters and catastrophes, bringing instructions and recommendations for evacuation to the affected population, temporary replacement of regional television and radio stations, or expanding the range of their broadcasting.
In most cases, “flying television stations” arrived in the zone of an emerging conflict even before the start of the military phase, in order to determine in a calm environment the working frequencies of the military communication lines and broadcast television and radio stations of the enemy. After studying the local characteristics, a general strategy of psychological operations was formed, and specific programs aimed at specific social groups were prepared in ground-based studios. Then they were broadcast in all the languages spoken in the region. In the past, in a number of cases, before the start of broadcasting on enemy television and radio broadcasting centers, strikes were made with high-precision weapons.
EC-130J usually broadcast from a maximum height, flying in a closed elliptical trajectory. This achieves the best "coverage" of the signal, since the most powerful radiation is directed down and away from the aircraft. In the event of possible fire resistance, the broadcast areas were located along the borders, out of the reach of air defense systems. In the absence of threat, aircraft can operate directly over the territory of the country. Having occupied the echelon in the zone, the EU-130J turns on the receivers and releases the tail antenna. After fine tuning to the ranges used by the army, local broadcasting and television, the broadcast of their own programs begins, and at once at different frequencies. Broadcasting is carried out live, in recording or in relay mode. As one of the officers of the 193 air wing said: “We can receive the president’s speech from the White House via satellite and immediately broadcast it live.”
To be continued ...
Psychological warplane EC-130J Commando Solo III
Tasks assigned to special aviation
In the 1980-ies, the following responsibilities were assigned to the 23-e command: delivery and evacuation of special forces operating on enemy territory, illegal cargo delivery, aviation security of ballistic missiles, meteorological reconnaissance, parachute training for fighters. At present, the aircraft of the special operations forces have unique capabilities to provide sabotage and intelligence operations, special intelligence, psychological, search and rescue and other operations. In addition to aviation formations, it includes special tactical squadrons, the personnel of which are prepared for direct participation in search and rescue operations, as well as for solving combat control tasks, advanced aviation guidance, training of landing areas, and meteorological support.
The structure, size and location of special aviation
According to American data, the current number of personnel of the Air Force MTR exceeds 15 thousand troops, of which 3 thousand are in reserve components. In the arsenal in the 2017 year there were 136 special-purpose aircraft and convertiplanes, including: 31 strike AC-130 and 105 multipurpose: 49 CV-22 and 56 MS-130. MTR aviation wings are based both on the continental United States and at advanced air bases (UK and Japan). They are promptly subordinate to the Joint Command of the Special Operations Forces, whose headquarters is located at McDill Air Force Base, Florida.
Google Earth satellite image: U.S. Air Force special operations planes at the Earlbird Field airbase
As part of the 1st air wing assigned to the airbase Girlbert Field, there are 9 squadrons equipped with AC-130U, MS-130H, U-28A aircraft, CV-22 convertiplanes and armed drones MQ-9.
At the Cannon air base in New Mexico, the 27 special operations aviation wing is deployed, consisting of 7 squadrons armed with: MC-130J, AC-130W, HC-130J, U-28A, CV-22B, MQ-9. The following tasks are assigned to the personnel of the 1 and 27 acres: providing direct air support to special forces units, delivering reconnaissance and sabotage units to the enemy rear, organizing material and technical support and evacuating special units after completing tasks, conducting reconnaissance, search and rescue crews of airplanes and helicopters in distress behind enemy lines, as well as other personnel in emergency situations.
The 24 e-wing of special operations includes eight tactical squadrons, the main tasks of which are: control of combat operations of aircraft during the application of air strikes, interaction of MTR aviation and ground forces, coordination of the evacuation of special forces from the combat area, navigation support using temporary beacons, selection and preparation of landing areas, meteorological support. Part of the personnel of special tactical squadrons prepared for use in search and rescue operations.
The area of responsibility of the 352 Air Special Operations Wing deployed at the Mildenhall British airbase includes Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Two squadrons fly on the MC-130J and CV-22B, one more is tactical - that is, it is equipped with military personnel with special training.
The 353 I Special Operations Aviation Group consists of three aviation squadrons, a maintenance squadron, and a special technical squadron. It is intended for operations in the Asia-Pacific region with headquarters at the Japanese air base Kaden. Until recently, the group was armed with MC-130H / P aircraft, and is now in the process of re-equipping.
The 492th Special Operations Aviation Wing, stationed in Goerlbert Field, is in many ways a unique unit dedicated to operations in Third World countries and in the territories of the former Soviet republics. This aviation unit is the only one in the US Air Force where the S-6Т (DC-47), Soviet-made An-3, twin-engine C-26 (Spanish C-41), CN-212 are operated as part of the 235 special operating squadron and medium military transport C-130Е, as well as helicopters: UH-1Н / N and Russian Mi-8 / 17.
Aviation Technology of the 6 Special Operations Squadron
Three more special operations squadrons are armed with the "gangships" AC-130Н / U / W and airplanes, supporting the actions of the special forces MS-130Н / J. The 492 Air Force is also involved in the training of military personnel trained at the United States Air Force Special Operations Training Center, located in Earlbird Field. Considerable attention in the preparation of the personnel of the Air Force MTR is given to actions at night in difficult weather conditions at low and extremely low altitudes. Of particular importance when performing special operations is given to the achievement of surprise and stealth actions.
The AFSOC’s operational reserve and training center is the 919 e-wing, deployed in the vicinity of the Eglin air base, at the Herzog-Field airfield (Auxiliary field No. 3). Pilots of two squadrons of the 919 acre fly on the C-145A, U-28A and C-146A. Another squadron is equipped with an MQ-9 UAV.
The 193 wing of the special operations of the National Guard Air Force, deployed at the Harrisburg Air Base in Pennsylvania, is designed to solve the problems of information support for military operations. Armed with two squadrons of this wing, psychological warfare aircraft EC-130J Commando Solo III and passenger C-32В (Boeing 757) with equipment for refueling in the air. Also, as part of the Air Force MTR, there are separate divisions of material, technical, medical and meteorological and navigation-related support.
Special aircraft based on the military transport C-130 Hercules
The Air Force COO is armed with specially modified aircraft, helicopters, tiltrotoplanes and UAVs. Their common design differences from standard samples are: the use of more powerful engines, equipping with visibility reduction systems, an increased fuel supply and the presence of a fuel refueling system in the air.
The most famous AFSOC aircraft, of course, are the "gunships" built on the basis of the C-130 Hercules four-engine turboprop aircraft. Currently, the US operates AC-130U Spooky (17 units), AC-130W Stinger II (14 units) and AC-130J Ghostrider (it is planned to purchase 32 aircraft). The last AC-130H was withdrawn from service and sent to the Davis Monten storage base in 2015.
AC-130J Ghostrider
The combat biography of the gunboats, created on the basis of various modifications of the Hercules military transport, is very saturated. The first modifications of the AC-130 were used during the Vietnam War. The Ganships then participated in US military operations around the world. In the 1983 year, they were noted during the American invasion of Grenada. From 1983 to 1990, the AC-130H, secretly based in Honduras, attacked partisan camps in El Salvador at night. In 1989, during Operation Just Cause, the headquarters of the Panama Defense Forces were destroyed by the fire of 105 mm aircraft guns. Ganships were actively used during two campaigns against Iraq. In January 1991, the AC-130Н operating during daylight hours was struck by the Strela-2M MANPADS, all 14 crew members on board were killed. This was the first and last loss of the “flying gunboat” since the war in Southeast Asia. Subsequently, the AC-130 of various modifications were actively used in the territory of the former Yugoslavia, in Somalia and Afghanistan. As of July 2010, eight AC-130H and 17 AC-130U were in military service. By September 2013, the 14 MC-130W Dragon Spear aircraft were urgently converted to the AC-130W Stinger II. These aircraft were intended to replace the aging AC-130H in Afghanistan. The decommissioning process for AC-130U began in the year 2019.
In addition to cannon weapons, special forces support aircraft converted into ganships were given the opportunity to use laser-guided aviation munitions. The avionics included additional infrared and electron-optical sensors, and the possibility of suspension under the wing in 250-pound bombs. The main weapons of the AC-130U Spooky II are the five-barrel 25-mm automatic gun, the 40-mm automatic with cassette loading L / 60 Bofors and the 105-mm howitzer M102. More modern AC-130W Stinger IIs are armed with the 30-mm gun GAU-23 / A, and the AC-130J Ghostrider 30-mm automatic gun and 105-mm howitzer. In the fuselage of the new “ganships”, tube launchers for guided munitions AGM-176 Griffin and GBU-44 / B Viper Strike are installed. AGM-114 Hellfire ATGMs, GBU-39 and GBU-53 / B guided bombs can be suspended under the wing.
To mitigate the vulnerability of a large and slow aircraft from air defense systems, a counteraction complex was installed. It includes a radar receiver AN / ALR-69, missile warning equipment AN / AAR-44, electronic jamming stations AN / ALQ-172 and AN / ALQ-196, a system for shooting thermal and radar traps. Great expectations are placed on the laser equipment AN / AAQ-24 Nemesis, which should suppress the infrared-seeker attacking the missile aircraft. All equipment of the defense complex is controlled by a single computer system operating in automatic or semi-automatic mode. Given the fact that the "ganships" are designed mainly for work in the dark, the use of modern means of self-defense should guarantee their invulnerability.
In the 21 century, American Ganships were noted in Afghanistan (from 2001 to 2010 the operation “Enduring Freedom”), in Iraq (from 2003 to 2011 the year - Operation “Freedom of Iraq”). In 2007, US Special Operations Forces also used the AC-130 to attack Islamic militants in Somalia. In March 2011, the Air Force deployed two AC-130U gunboats to participate in Operation Dawn of the Odyssey against Libya. In November 2015 of the year in Syria, the Ganship and the A-10С Thunderbolt II attack aircraft unit during Operation Tidal Wave II destroyed more than 100 oil tankers and armed pickups of radical Islamic militants. On the night of 7 on 8 on February 2018, AC-130, interacting with F-15E fighter-bombers, MQ-9 UAVs and AN-64 fire support helicopters, attacked Syrian government forces trying to take control of the gas refinery and the X gas refinery , in the province of Deir ez-Zor. According to a number of sources, Russian citizens also suffered during the airstrike.
The MC-130H Combat Talon II / MC-130J Commando II / MC-130P Combat Shadow planes are much less known, but no less important compared to the "ganships" for the American special forces. Like the AC-130, a family of aircraft designed to support the operations of special forces was created on the basis of Hercules. The main objectives of the multi-purpose MS-130 are covert penetration into enemy territory. This machine is designed to supply MTR units, search and evacuation of reconnaissance and sabotage groups behind enemy lines, and to refuel helicopters and aircraft, including over its territory.
The oldest in the family of special transport and tankers are four MC-130Р Combat Shadow, adopted more than 40 years ago. These aircraft are designed to search for crews of downed aircraft, to be used as an air command post during search and rescue operations and to refuel rescue helicopters in the air. The last of the 24 MS-130E Combat Talon I built during the Vietnam War was decommissioned in 2015 year.
MC-130H Combat Talon II
Designed to replace these machines, the MC-130Н Combat Talon II was adopted in the 1991 year. Among the features of the MC-130H are the possibility of non-stop evacuation of people and property using the Fulton system, landing on poorly prepared soil sites, landing of cargoes using the JPADS precision drop system and the use of aerial bombs - GBU-43 / B MOAB (Massive Ordnance Air Blast - heavy explosive ordnance) weighing 9,5 t. The MOAB bomb is equipped with the KMU-593 / B guidance system, which includes inertial and satellite navigation systems.
Model of the bomb GBU-43 / B with a system of lattice steering stabilizers
MS-130Н, unlike the transport C-130Н, is equipped with a system for refueling in the air, explosion-proof fuel tanks, a landing system from low-altitude at high flight speeds and more advanced electronic equipment. AN / APQ-170 radar and the AN / AAQ-15 infrared station provide flight in the mode of following the terrain and flying around obstacles. Radar can also work in high-resolution terrain mapping modes and conduct weather reconnaissance. The mass of an empty aircraft compared to the C-130Н increased by approximately 4000 kg and is about 40,4 t (maximum take-off 69 750 kg). Due to the installation of the nose radome radar, the length compared to the C-130Н carrier increased by 0,9 m. The MS-130Н can transport 52 fully equipped paratroopers.
Currently, the MS-130H is already considered obsolete, mainly involved in secondary tasks and routine transportation. In the next 10 years, the MC-130Н should be replaced by the MC-130J. However, due to the fact that the creation of the MC-130J was delayed, and the aircraft itself was very expensive, the command of the MTR Air Force decided to replace the decommissioned MC-130Е / R with the modification MC-130W Combat Spear. The first MC-130W was handed over to AFSOC in the 2006 year. In the 2010 year, all ordered 14 machines reached operational readiness. The aircraft were built on the basis of the C-130N of the 1987-1991 issue, which were purchased from the Reserve Command of the US Air Force and the National Guard Air Force. This allowed us to save about $ 8 million when buying each car. MS-130W received a standard set of special purposes: satellite communications using packet data, satellite and inertial navigation systems, meteorological and navigation radar AN / APN-241, electronic warfare systems and devices for shooting thermal traps and dipole reflectors, equipment that allows receiving and transmitting aviation fuel in flight. At the same time, the MS-130W is deprived of the ability to fly at extremely low altitude in conditions of poor visibility and at night, which limits the scope of this machine.
The newly launched company to combat "international terrorism" demanded an urgent replacement of the very worn-out "ganships" AC-130Н. In this regard, in May 2009, AFSOC launched a program to turn the MC-130W aircraft into the “air gunboats”.
MC-130W Dragon Spear
The modification, armed with the 30-mm gun GAU-23 / A, guided munitions GBU-44 / B Viper Strike or AGM-176 Griffin, as well as ATGM AGM-114 Hellfire, was designated MC-130W Dragon Spear. Also, additional search and reconnaissance and sighting equipment was installed on the aircraft.
30-mm gun GAU-23 / A
The first MC-130W Dragon Spear arrived in Afghanistan at the end of the 2010 year, and was very successful. Based on the results of combat use, all MC-130W decided to convert into an armed version, renaming the MC-130W Dragon Spear AC-130W Stinger II. The success of the MC-130W Dragon Spear was a decisive argument for the implementation of the new generation AC-130J Ghostrider ganship program.
In the mid-1990's, the command of the Air Force MTR began to express concern that the existing MS-130 were highly vulnerable to modern air defense systems, including MANPADS. Despite these concerns, the US Air Force decided to continue the modernization of special-purpose vehicles based on the Hercules turboprop. At the same time, a bet was made on low-altitude night flights with enveloping the terrain, and equipping aircraft with the most advanced anti-aircraft defense systems. In a report from the US Department of Defense for the 2006 year, based on an analysis of the use of MTR aviation, a concern was noted stating that the US Department of Defense "should expand the capabilities to support, deploy and evacuate special operations forces in restricted areas at strategic distances." Despite these concerns, the U.S. Air Force decided to continue modernizing the current forces. The Air Force leadership decided to build 37 new MC-130J to replace its MC-130E and MC-130P, built more than 40 years ago.
MC-130J Commando II
The MC-130J Commando II aircraft was created on the basis of the KS-130J flying tanker operated by the U.S. KMP. The KS-130J multi-purpose tanker aircraft, also capable of carrying weapons, was in turn designed on the basis of the new C-130J military transport aircraft with an extended fuselage and more economical Rolls-Royce AE 2100 D3 engines with 4591 power with six-bladed propellers with increased thrust. Compared to the MC-130H, the new MC-130J, thanks to its larger fuel tanks and lower specific fuel consumption, increased flight range from 4300 km to 5500 km.
MC-130J Cab
In addition to the cockpit with modern avionics and the equipment for receiving and transmitting fuel borrowed from KS-130J, the new special forces aircraft received a reinforced wing, more suitable for flying at low altitude in conditions of increased turbulence. MC-130J is also equipped with advanced material handling equipment. The aircraft received communication, navigation and self-defense equipment, as on the new AC-130J “ganship”. The difference from AC-130J and KS-130J is the presence on board a system that allows, in conditions of poor visibility, to fly with enveloping terrain and a set of equipment that allows you to operate from unprepared sites. Given the fact that the MC-130J can operate at low altitude above enemy territory, the crew’s cabin and the most vulnerable units are covered with armor, and the protected tanks are filled with neutral gas. In addition to the elongated fuselage and turboprop engines with six-bladed propellers, visually the MC-130J can be distinguished from other modifications of the MC-130 by the small spherical "beard" of the AN / AAQ-15 optical-electronic survey system in the nose of the aircraft.
The first MC-130J, which entered the 522-th squadron of special operations from the 27-th air wing, reached operational readiness in September 2011. In total, AFSOC ordered the 37 MC-130J, which has already begun to replace other versions of the MS-130 at advanced bases in Japan and the UK.
Due to the fact that MC-130 aircraft often make low-altitude flights and land on unequipped runways, their losses are higher than that of other MTR aircraft built on the basis of C-130. Only the 21 century saw the loss of 5 aircraft. In Afghanistan, in the 2002 year, two MC-130P and MS-130Н aircraft were destroyed. Moreover, according to information released in the 2018 year, the MS-130N, officially classified as crashed as a result of a flight accident, was actually blown up by militants at a field airfield in the vicinity of Gardez. At the same time, two crew members and the passenger of the aircraft died. In August 2004, the MS-130Н crashed, flying at night in difficult meteorological conditions. 9 people were buried under its debris. In December 2004, the US Air Force command in Iraq ordered the destruction of the MC-130N damaged near Mosul. This was done to prevent the compromise of classified avionics. At the end of March 2005, the MC-130Н crashed into a mountain during a night flight at 80 km southeast of Tirana. Fourteen people on the plane died.
Another aircraft operating in the interests of the MTR is the search and rescue HC-130J Combat King II. This machine replaced the obsolete HC-130P / N Combat King in search and rescue squadrons. The HC-130J is capable of simultaneously refueling two other aircraft in the air and can refuel in flight with tankers equipped with booms such as KC-135, KC-10 and KC-46.
On board the HC-130J, equipment has been installed that allows it to be used as a command post during the search and rescue operation, as well as to locate emergency beacons and establish communication with the walkie-talkies included in the emergency kit. To perform take-off and landing at night, the crew has night vision goggles and an infrared survey station. The aircraft has enough space to accommodate rescue paratroopers and rescue boats being parachuted.
The first HC-130J was handed over on November 15, 2012 of the year to the 563th rescue team stationed at Davis-Montan Air Base, Arizona. In total, the US Air Force plans to acquire 78 search and rescue aircraft HC-130J. In contrast to the AC-130 and MS-130, they are planned to be used not only in the aviation of special operations forces, but also in the Reserve Command of the Air Force and the US National Air Guard.
In many ways, the unique Hercules-based aircraft is the EC-130J Commando Solo III. This machine replaced the EC-130E Commando Solo II, decommissioned in the 2006 year. The use of С-130J as a base for an "electronic" aircraft is good because the transporter has large significant internal volumes for placing equipment and operator workstations, as well as a considerable power reserve of the power plant. The spacious fuselage can accommodate a wide range of equipment and provide comfortable working conditions for service personnel, and the power reserve can be used to generate electricity for very "gluttonous" transmission stations.
EC-130J
EC-130J externally differs from other machines of the C-130 family by the presence of antennas on the keel. Six transmitters operating in the frequency range from 450 kHz to 350 MHz emit signals using 9 transmit antennas installed in different parts of the aircraft. A longitudinal antenna above the fuselage provides maximum broadcasting power in the lateral directions, and a complex of four television antennas on the keel - side down. A transmitting antenna of variable length, released from the tail, is designed to operate at various frequencies. On board there are eight radios that receive signals in the 200 kHz - 1000 MHz band. The radiation they capture goes to frequency spectrum analyzers that determine the parameters of the received signals and allow you to fine-tune your own transmissions to the frequency of the enemy’s radio and television transmitters. In-flight refueling equipment allows you to stay above the broadcast area for 10-12 hours continuously.
Workplace of operators EC-130J
The avionics also include connected HF and VHF radio stations, satellite communications equipment, inertial and satellite navigation systems, warning equipment for radar radiation and electronic warfare, devices for shooting thermal traps and dipole reflectors. Specialized equipment allows the aircraft to broadcast and transmit color television signals of various standards in different frequency ranges. In addition to its direct purpose - conducting psychological operations - the EU-130J can be used as an electronic reconnaissance aircraft and electronic warfare, to disrupt the operation of radar, communication systems, television and radio broadcasting of the enemy. The “psychological warfare” airplanes may well be used for purely civilian purposes — providing local broadcasting in the event of natural disasters and catastrophes, bringing instructions and recommendations for evacuation to the affected population, temporary replacement of regional television and radio stations, or expanding the range of their broadcasting.
In most cases, “flying television stations” arrived in the zone of an emerging conflict even before the start of the military phase, in order to determine in a calm environment the working frequencies of the military communication lines and broadcast television and radio stations of the enemy. After studying the local characteristics, a general strategy of psychological operations was formed, and specific programs aimed at specific social groups were prepared in ground-based studios. Then they were broadcast in all the languages spoken in the region. In the past, in a number of cases, before the start of broadcasting on enemy television and radio broadcasting centers, strikes were made with high-precision weapons.
EC-130J usually broadcast from a maximum height, flying in a closed elliptical trajectory. This achieves the best "coverage" of the signal, since the most powerful radiation is directed down and away from the aircraft. In the event of possible fire resistance, the broadcast areas were located along the borders, out of the reach of air defense systems. In the absence of threat, aircraft can operate directly over the territory of the country. Having occupied the echelon in the zone, the EU-130J turns on the receivers and releases the tail antenna. After fine tuning to the ranges used by the army, local broadcasting and television, the broadcast of their own programs begins, and at once at different frequencies. Broadcasting is carried out live, in recording or in relay mode. As one of the officers of the 193 air wing said: “We can receive the president’s speech from the White House via satellite and immediately broadcast it live.”
To be continued ...
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