Assembly 
work has begun on Air Force Special Operations Command’s first AC-130J gunship at Lockheed Martin’s plant in Marietta, Ga., announced the company. Lockheed Martin is converting an MC-130J Commando II special-mission airplane currently on Marietta’s production line to the gunship configuration via the addition of the modular Precision Strike Package, states the company’s July 23 release. AFSOC’s MC-130W Dragon Spear special-mission aircraft already carry PSP, a scalable weapons and sensor suite. The Air Force plans to purchase 16 new-build AC-130Js under a $1.6 billion recapitalization effort to replace its legacy AC-130Hs and provide additional capacity. The AC-130J fleet is slated to begin initial operations in 2015. With the addition of the AC-130Js, the Air Force plans to have a combined fleet of 33 gunships, including the 17 AC-130Us currently on strength.
Air Force Changes Rules for Pregnant Aircrew—Again
April 3, 2025
The Air Force is changing its policy for pregnant aircrew, generally reverting to rules set in 2019 that barred female aviators from flying during the first trimester—or from flying in aircraft with ejection seats at all—due to potential risks to the pilot and her unborn fetus.