The U.S. Air Force is looking to enhance the connectivity of its AC-130J Ghostrider gunships by equipping them with Starlink or its military-focused counterpart, Starshield. This move could revolutionize in-flight communications for special operations aircraft that operate in contested and remote environments.
The AC-130J Ghostrider is a heavily armed variant of the C-130J Hercules, designed for delivering close air support and armed reconnaissance for ground forces. By adding Starlink or Starshield terminals, the Air Force hopes to improve beyond-line-of-sight satellite communications, providing secure, high-speed data transfer with lower latency compared to traditional military satellite systems.
AFSOC has issued a request for information seeking ruggedized solutions for integrating Starlink or Starshield onto the Ghostrider. The goal is to achieve global connectivity while allowing for easy removal and portability to other C-130 variants. This flexibility would enable the Air Force to test and deploy the technology across multiple platforms without the need for permanent modifications.
Starlink’s presence in the aviation industry has been steadily growing, with installations on approximately 1,400 commercial aircraft by 2025. The expansion into military aviation began in 2023 with the launch of Starshield, a dedicated encrypted satellite network designed for government and national security use.
If implemented, Starlink or Starshield terminals could provide U.S. Air Force gunships with faster and more resilient connectivity during real-world operations. Interested vendors have until January 30 to submit proposals, indicating that this initiative is still in its early stages. However, the potential implications of this technology integration are significant for enhancing the capabilities of military aircraft.
Overall, the integration of Starlink or Starshield into AC-130J Ghostrider gunships represents a major step forward in improving in-flight connectivity for special operations aircraft, further solidifying SpaceX’s presence in the aviation industry.