Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems will develop radio frequency countermeasures (RFCM) systems for U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command AC/MC-130J turboprops by later this year. The contracts are the first phase of a multi-phase program to upgrade the aircraft’s survivability.

In mid-November, the Department of Defense announced contract awards of $32.8 million to Northrop Grumman and $22 million to BAE Systems to develop RFCM systems that will enable the four-engine turboprop “to detect, identify, locate, deny, degrade, disrupt and defeat threat systems in operational environments.” The contracts call for the manufacturers to complete system development and platform integration work by November 30 this year.

The AC-130J “Ghostrider” is a modified MC-130J Commando II. The Air Force Special Operations Command uses the latter aircraft to conduct “clandestine, or low visibility, single or multi-ship, low-level air refueling missions” for special operations helicopters or CV-22 tiltrotors, as well as infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of special operations forces.

The Air Force describes the Ghostrider, its newest variant, as a hybrid platform that combines the flying proficiency of the MC-130J with the combat capabilities of the heavily armed AC-130 gunship. The Ghostrider comes with the precision strike package of the AC-130W Stinger II variant, including dual electro-optical/infrared sensors, a 30-mm cannon, Griffin missiles and the capability to deliver small diameter bombs. “The AC-130J will provide ground forces an expeditionary, direct-fire platform that is persistent, ideally suited for urban operations and delivers precision low-yield munitions against ground targets,” the service states.

The Air Force has said that it is modifying 32 MC-130Js to the Ghostrider configuration under a $2.4 billion fleet recapitalization program. In April, the service declared an AC-130J undergoing flight tests at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., a total loss after the aircraft inverted while pilots performed “steady heading sideslips” over the Gulf of Mexico. An accident investigation board determined that the aircraft had exceeded its design load limit, nullifying its airworthiness.

The Air Force Special Operations Command received the first delivered AC-130J at Hurlburt Field, Fla., last July.

In a press release on January 4, BAE said the RFCM contract represents the first phase of a multi-phase program to upgrade AC/MC-130J survivability. The program’s lifecycle cost is expected to exceed $400 million. BAE’s system “offers fully integrated, precision geo-location, and radio frequency countermeasure capabilities” that will improve the aircraft’s ability to detect and defeat surface and airborne threats in signal-dense and highly contested environments, the company said.

“This award is a significant milestone as it not only builds on our strong electronic warfare legacy, but also extends our proven electronic warfare capability to a large platform aircraft,” said Brian Walters, BAE Systems vice president and general manager of electronic combat solutions. “Our all-digital RFCM system will ensure the mission-critical C-130J fleet remains capable and protected in the harshest environments.”