Key Points – The AC-130J Ghostrider gunship, a legendary aircraft known for its powerful fire support, is getting even deadlier with the integration of the Harpoon anti-ship missile.
-Traditionally armed with a fearsome 30-mm autocannon and a 105-mm howitzer, the Ghostrider can now engage naval targets using the Harpoon’s advanced precision-guidance.
-This upgrade signals Special Operations Command’s intent to expand combat roles from land operations to maritime engagements, particularly in potential conflicts in East Asia.
-With the capability to support missions by Navy SEALs, Green Berets, and Rangers, the AC-130J enhances America’s strategic options, delivering unmatched versatility against both ground and sea targets.
Special Ops Game-Changer: AC-130J Equipped With Deadly Harpoon Missile
We talk about “beast mode” a lot here at 19FortyFive. The term describes a fighter jet packed to the gills with missiles and bombs on external hard points and internal weapon bays. If the jet aims to carry out a ground strike for a close-air support mission, troops in danger from enemy fire rejoice.
But there is another beast-mode airplane—not a fighter, but a plane based on a modified cargo airframe—and it already enjoys mythical status among soldiers, Marines, and special operations forces.
AC-130J Ghostrider Gunship Takes on a More Powerful Capability
I’m talking about the AC-130J Ghostrider gunship, which can deliver ungodly amounts of ground fire to a fight. Now the Air Force is making the AC-130J even more fearsome. The service is pairing it with an AG-84 Harpoon missile. The move has given U.S. Special Operations Command renewed optimism about an AC-130J program that has already impressed pilots, engineers, and technicians for its rugged reliability and awesome firepower.
What Is the Harpoon?
The AG-84 Harpoon is an anti-ship over-the-horizon missile that can be used in all kinds of weather. The U.S. Navy usually deploys it on ships. The Harpoon is nearly 13 feet long. It is over a foot in diameter and weighs more than 1,500 pounds. The Harpoon cruises just feet above the seas and skims to paydirt with an advanced targeting system. These missiles can be fired from ships, airplanes, and shore launchers.
To make the upgrade even more effective, the AC-130J will soon deploy a new active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar that will help crews spot targets for the Harpoon.
Evolving Needs of Combat Can Take SOCOM to Asia
The new pairing shows that Special Operations Command is looking for ways to be more lethal and extend capabilities from ground strike to maritime operations. If a fight in East Asia ever arises, it is going to be a missile fight carried out from ships and airplanes. The Harpoon, with its anti-ship capabilities, gives the Americans another platform that can sink an enemy vessel.
More Precision Strike for Special Operators
The annual Special Operations Forces (SOF) Week is going on in Tampa. Major Andrew Monroe, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command’s Detachment 1, touted a recent Harpoon load test on the AC-130J during a presentation at the conference.
“Over the last year, our team executed Precision Strike Package testing, Harpoon loading, and Small Cruise Missile integration and launch efforts off the AC-130J,” Major Monroe said, as noted by The War Zone.
Air Force Special Operations Command runs 31 AC-130J Ghostriders. The planes were a godsend during the war on terror. Now that campaign is over, and special operations forces are looking for ways the Ghostrider can even be more effective and give personnel additional options to fight enemy naval combatants.
AC-130Js are already armed to the teeth, with a 30-mm auto cannon and a 105-mm howitzer. Common launch tubes beneath the wings can drop precision-guided bombs and rockets. The effective Small Diameter Bomb can be carried under this configuration, too.
Where Can the AC-130J Go Next?
The AC-130J could be an option in the Red Sea for use against Houthi ground targets in Yemen. Other gunships could be deployed to East Asia to help Japan or South Korea. AC-130Js on Guam would make sense too. The Ghostrider usually flies at night and rips into the enemy with all of its weapons. These flights under the cover of darkness would be deadly against the Chinese or North Koreans.
The potential future missile fight is something all branches of the military must keep in mind. Another natural evolution of the AC-130J could be to launch drone swarms. These loitering munitions have been extremely effective in Ukraine and Russia, eliminating thousands of tanks. The drones have become so dangerous that the Secretary of the U.S. Army wants to keep Abrams tanks in the rear and forge ahead with uncrewed armored vehicles to form a spearhead instead of tanks with live crews.
Now the AC-130J is not only ready if needed for a mechanized fight in Europe, but it also can teach the Chinese and North Koreans a few tricks if it is called upon in East Asia. U.S. special operators, especially Navy SEALs, could use more firepower. The Harpoon missile could help the airplane protect SEALs on their maritime missions. Submarines would help the SEALs infiltrate to blow up ships in their harbors, and the AC-130J could perform over-watch duty and provide cover fire when the operators exfiltrate from the scene.
Give SOCOM credit for being creative and looking ahead to the future fight. Combat is evolving past the days when only personnel on the ground needed close air support. Now naval missions must be supported too. Green Berets, SEALs, and Army Rangers can call the AC-130J to support their efforts with gusto. The Harpoon missile pairing will make special-ops battle planners smile.
About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood
Brent M. Eastwood, PhD is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.
