Leidos, a leading US defense company, is poised to transform the American military’s approach to airpower with the development of its revolutionary Black Arrow missile. This advanced, versatile long-range weapon could significantly enhance the firepower of the AC-130J Ghostrider gunship, enabling it to face more sophisticated adversaries like China in near-peer conflicts. As the United States shifts its strategic focus towards the Pacific, the integration of precision-guided, standoff weaponry is vital to countering growing threats, especially from Chinese missile defense systems.
This fall, Leidos plans to test-fire its Black Arrow missile from a US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) AC-130J gunship, following a series of successful non-firing tests in December 2023. According to a report by Defense One, the Black Arrow missile aims to meet SOCOM’s 2021 requirement for a weapon capable of striking targets up to 400 nautical miles away, even in the absence of GPS. The significance of this missile lies in its potential to reshape US Special Operations Forces’ (SOF) capabilities, bringing unprecedented flexibility and precision to long-range strike missions.
Leidos’ success with the Black Arrow missile is a testament to the power of digital innovation and modular design in weapons development. Traditionally known for producing weapons components, Leidos leveraged cutting-edge technologies such as high-data modeling and digital twinning—sophisticated techniques used to simulate real-world trajectories and performance. By simulating millions of flight paths and conditions, Leidos was able to ensure compatibility with various platforms, including the AC-130J and the Naval Surface Warfare Center’s (NSWC) Battle Management System.
One of the major advantages of the Black Arrow is its ability to integrate rapidly with a wide range of platforms, from the MQ-9 Reaper drone to transport aircraft like the C-130. This versatility ensures that US and allied forces have a cost-effective, easily deployable missile solution in a range of scenarios. The missile’s design represents a significant step forward in developing systems that can seamlessly adapt to multiple roles and platforms, an essential feature in an era where flexibility and interoperability are increasingly critical in modern warfare.
Leidos’ approach to missile development has been accelerated by a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with SOCOM, a move highlighting a growing trend in defense industries towards faster, more affordable innovation. With the Black Arrow, Leidos is signaling a shift in the landscape of missile technology, particularly as US and allied forces face mounting challenges from near-peer adversaries.
The AC-130 gunship has long been a staple of US military operations, particularly in counterinsurgency (COIN) environments. Known for its ability to deliver sustained firepower in permissive airspace, the AC-130 and its predecessors were instrumental in low-intensity conflicts. However, as the US pivots its strategic attention to the Indo-Pacific region, where it faces the challenge of sophisticated air defenses from adversaries like China, the AC-130 needs to evolve.
China has deployed an extensive network of surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems across the South China Sea, posing a serious threat to US aircraft. According to the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI), SAM systems such as the HQ-9, deployed on Woody Island, Fiery Cross Reef, Subi Reef, and Mischief Reef, can strike targets as far as 200 kilometers away. Similarly, China’s Russian-made S-400 SAM systems, stationed opposite Taiwan, have a range of up to 240 kilometers. These systems create highly contested airspace that makes traditional gunship operations, based on direct-fire capabilities, increasingly dangerous.
Given these evolving threats, the AC-130 gunship may need to transition away from its traditional role of providing close air support with direct fire. According to a report by The War Zone in August 2024, the AC-130 fleet is already undergoing a transformation, incorporating long-range standoff weapons such as the Black Arrow missile, drone swarms, and cruise missiles, to remain relevant in modern warfare.
One of the most significant advancements aiding the transformation of the AC-130 and other air platforms is the Rapid Dragon palletized munition system. As noted by Asia Times in August 2023, Rapid Dragon enables the US to conduct long-distance precision strikes without relying on traditional fighter jets or bombers, which may be limited in availability during a large-scale conflict.
The Rapid Dragon system allows C-130 or C-17 aircraft to deploy Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSMs) without requiring extensive modifications to the aircraft. It turns these aircraft into missile platforms capable of striking multiple targets over long distances. The ability to program and deploy different types of munitions—from reconnaissance to electronic warfare to high-explosive missiles—enables air forces to adapt quickly to varying battlefield conditions. With Rapid Dragon, the US and its allies can saturate enemy defenses, complicating adversary targeting and overwhelming SAM systems.
The AC-130J, equipped with both the Black Arrow missile and the Rapid Dragon system, could function as a highly versatile “bomb truck,” carrying out precise, long-range attacks while staying well outside the range of enemy air defenses. This shift from close air support to long-range precision strikes ensures the AC-130 remains relevant in the Pacific theater, where contested airspace will be the norm in any future conflict with China.
Another promising concept for the future of the AC-130 involves the use of swarming drones, a capability that could revolutionize how the aircraft operates in high-threat environments. In May 2024, Asia Times reported on the potential for swarming drones to enhance AC-130 missions. Drone swarms can be deployed to conduct surveillance, jam enemy air defenses, or even launch attacks on enemy assets. These swarms could act as a force multiplier for the AC-130, allowing it to operate in contested environments while minimizing its exposure to enemy defenses.
Drone swarms, when equipped with different types of sensors, could provide real-time intelligence and targeting data, enabling the AC-130 to engage enemies more effectively. Multiple drones in a swarm could serve as a mesh network, enhancing the aircraft’s ability to track and engage targets with precision. This technology could significantly boost the AC-130’s utility in areas where traditional aircraft struggle to operate due to dense enemy defenses.
The changing nature of modern warfare is forcing a rethinking of the AC-130’s mission profile. While the gunship’s traditional role focused on direct-fire support for ground troops, future conflicts will likely demand a more flexible and adaptable approach. As mentioned in an Air University article by Riley Feeney in August 2023, the AC-130J is being considered for a wide range of new roles, from command and control to special operations support and global firepower projection.
Feeney notes that as Special Operations Forces (SOF) shift away from direct-action raids, they are being trained to operate with less air support. In this new environment, the AC-130J could serve as a platform for special reconnaissance, relaying critical intelligence from forward-deployed SOF teams to command centers. The aircraft’s advanced communications systems and highly skilled crews make it an ideal candidate for joint all-domain command and control (JADC2) operations.
The AC-130J’s ability to lead these operations, even in areas where traditional command aircraft like the E-3 or E-8 cannot operate, makes it a valuable asset for future air warfare. By combining its traditional firepower with new capabilities like the Black Arrow missile and the Rapid Dragon system, the AC-130J could become a critical component of the US military’s efforts to project power across the globe.
Leidos’ Black Arrow missile is set to play a pivotal role in the evolution of US airpower, particularly as the military faces new challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. The combination of digital innovation, modular design, and versatile deployment platforms like the AC-130J is paving the way for a new era of precision strikes and standoff warfare. As the US shifts its focus from counterinsurgency operations to great power competition, systems like the Black Arrow and Rapid Dragon will be essential for maintaining dominance in contested airspace.
The AC-130J, once primarily a tool for low-intensity conflict, is now being adapted for high-tech, long-range precision missions that will define future conflicts. By integrating cutting-edge technology like swarming drones and new missile systems, the AC-130 is ensuring its relevance in the face of sophisticated adversaries. As the US prepares for potential conflicts with near-peer competitors like China, these advancements in missile technology and airpower will be crucial in maintaining the balance of power in the Pacific.
