Here is a concise summary of the provided text:
**Subject:** US Air Force's new AC-130J "Ghost Rider" Gunship
**Key Points:**
1. **Deployment:** The AC-130J has begun flying combat missions in Afghanistan since June 2019, replacing the aging AC-130U "Spooky" gunships.
2. **Capabilities:**
* Provides close air support, air interdiction, and armed reconnaissance.
* Offers precision low-yield munitions, including a 30mm cannon and various guided bombs.
* Features advanced sensors, data links, and communication systems.
3. **Operational Success:**
* High demand in Afghanistan, with over 218 sorties and 1,380 hours flown.
* Praised for its precision and effectiveness in supporting ground forces.
4. **Upgrade and Future Plans:**
* Latest "Block 30" models feature upgraded sensors and communication systems.
* Plans to demonstrate a high-energy laser weapon on an AC-130J in 2022.
5. **Significance:** Marks a new era in US Air Force gunship operations, phasing out older AC-130U models and their World War II-era weaponry.
Here are the extracted key facts, each with a number and in short sentence form, excluding opinions:
**AC-130J Ghost Rider Specifications & Capabilities**
1. The AC-130J Ghost Rider's primary missions are close air support, air interdiction, and armed reconnaissance.
2. The aircraft provides ground forces with an expeditionary direct fire platform suited for urban operations.
3. It delivers precision low-yield munitions against ground targets.
4. The AC-130J is equipped with a 105mm cannon and a 30mm GAU-23A auto cannon.
5. It carries precision-guided munitions, including GBU-39B, GBU-44B, GVM-69, AGM-176, and AGM-114 Hellfire missiles.
**Operational History & Deployment**
6. The AC-130J replaced the aging AC-130U and AC-130W gunships, marking the fifth generation of gunships.
7. AC-130 gunships have a combat history dating back to Vietnam, where they destroyed over 10,000 trucks.
8. The AC-130J reached Initial Operational Capability (IOC) in late 2017 with the 73rd Special Operations Squadron.
9. The 73rd Special Operations Squadron is currently flying the AC-130J Ghost Riders over Afghanistan.
10. The first combat mission of the AC-130J was flown in June 2019 in Afghanistan, replacing the AC-130U "Spooky".
**Usage & Performance**
11. As of the report, AC-130Js had flown hundreds of sorties in Afghanistan, totaling 218 sorties and 1,380 hours.
12. The aircraft are in high demand, with requests for support every night from U.S. and Afghan operations.
13. The AC-130J can provide direct fire support with high precision, similar to its predecessors.
**Upgrades & Future Developments**
14. The latest Block 30 Ghost Riders feature upgraded sensor turrets with higher fidelity cameras and new satellite communications.
15. The Air Force is planning to demonstrate a high-energy laser weapon on an AC-130J in 2022.
16. The last scheduled delivery of the AC-130J is set for Fiscal Year 2024.
**Legacy Systems**
17. The AC-130U "Spooky" gunships, which entered service in 1995, are being retired after their last scheduled combat deployment.
18. The AC-130U was the last U.S. military platform to use the 40mm Bofors gun, a World War II-era weapon.