Lockheed Martin has begin converting a MC-130J “Commando II” into the first AC-130J variant gunship.
The conversion is happening at the company’s Marietta, Ga. production facility.
The AC-130J will be equipped with a Precision Strike Package creating the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command’s newest gunship. Sixteen AC-130Js are planned with an Initial Operating Capability scheduled for 2015.
The 16 new planes will replace eight AC-130H “Spectre” gunships and add a net increase in fleet size.