Tag archive

special operations Weapon Systems

Weapon systems and military equipment tagged special operations.

9 weapon systems

EC-130J Commando Solo, Airborne information operations and psychological operations aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs

Aircraft & UAVsEC-130J Commando SoloAirborne information operations and psychological operations aircraftSide: 🏳️ UnspecifiedBuilt: Lockheed Martin / United StatesThe EC-130J Commando Solo is a Lockheed Martin C-130J-derived U.S. Air Force special-mission aircraft that broadcasts information operations and psychological operations messages across AM, FM, HF, TV, and military communications bands. The 193rd Special Operations Wing operates the aircraft, which adds enhanced navigation, self-protection, air refueling, digital message playback, and live-broadcast capability to the Hercules airframe.

AC-130 gunship, Heavily armed fixed-wing gunship, Aircraft & UAVs

Aircraft & UAVsAC-130 gunshipHeavily armed fixed-wing gunshipSide: 🇺🇸 🇦🇫 United States and Afghan government forces / 🇺🇸 United StatesBuilt: Lockheed Martin / United StatesThe AC-130 gunship is a side-firing U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command attack aircraft family derived from the C-130 Hercules. Modern AC-130U, AC-130W, and AC-130J variants combine sensors, fire-control systems, cannon armament, and precision-guided munitions for close air support, armed reconnaissance, air interdiction, and overwatch, roles documented in Afghanistan during Operation Freedom's Sentinel, Resolute Support, and the Kabul evacuation.

M/AH-6M Little Bird, Light special operations helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs

Aircraft & UAVsM/AH-6M Little BirdLight special operations helicopterSide: 🇺🇸 United StatesBuilt: MD Helicopters / Boeing / United StatesThe M/AH-6M Little Bird family pairs a compact special operations helicopter with armed and troop-carrying mission fits: AH-6M aircraft provide close air support with guns, rockets, and missiles, while MH-6M aircraft move small assault teams into confined landing zones. In the United States-Venezuela Conflict, open-source reporting connected Little Birds to Operation Absolute Resolve support roles, but the public evidence remains mixed enough to keep the conflict-use note caveated.

S-97 Raider, Light tactical helicopter prototype, Aircraft & UAVs

Aircraft & UAVsS-97 RaiderLight tactical helicopter prototypeSide: 🏳️ UnspecifiedBuilt: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation / United StatesThe Sikorsky S-97 Raider is a U.S. compound coaxial rotorcraft prototype developed by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation for armed reconnaissance, light assault, and special-operations concepts. Lockheed Martin describes it as a two-pilot, six-troop helicopter with fly-by-wire controls, a pusher propeller, and cruise speed above 220 knots.

Black Hawk helicopter, Medium-lift military utility helicopter family, Aircraft & UAVs

Aircraft & UAVsBlack Hawk helicopterMedium-lift military utility helicopter familySide: 🏳️ UnspecifiedBuilt: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation / United StatesThe Black Hawk is Sikorsky's twin-engine medium-lift military utility helicopter family, developed from the U.S. Army's 1972 UTTAS requirement and fielded from 1978-79. The family includes the U.S. Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk combat search-and-rescue variant, which added rescue-focused mission equipment, aerial refueling, and night and all-weather systems for personnel recovery and medevac work.

SH-60 Seahawk helicopter, Shipboard maritime helicopter family, Aircraft & UAVs

Aircraft & UAVsSH-60 Seahawk helicopterShipboard maritime helicopter familySide: 🏳️ UnspecifiedBuilt: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation / Lockheed Martin / United StatesThe SH-60 Seahawk is the U.S. Navy's H-60 maritime helicopter family, covering legacy SH-60B/F and HH-60H variants and the MH-60R/S successors that replaced them in front-line service. Navy sources describe the Seahawk as a twin-engine shipboard helicopter used for anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, search and rescue, cargo lift, special operations, and mine countermeasures.

MH-60L Direct Action Penetrator, Special operations gunship helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs

Aircraft & UAVsMH-60L Direct Action PenetratorSpecial operations gunship helicopterSide: 🇺🇸 United StatesBuilt: Sikorsky / United StatesThe MH-60L Direct Action Penetrator is a 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment gunship conversion of the UH-60L/MH-60 Black Hawk, trading troop-carrying capacity for modular cannons, rockets, guided missiles, sensors, and night-raid support. Venezuela conflict reporting documents DAP Black Hawks in U.S. special operations use, while also noting that current operational DAPs are MH-60M airframes derived from the same mission configuration.

C-130 Hercules, Tactical airlift transport aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs

Aircraft & UAVsC-130 HerculesTactical airlift transport aircraftSide: 🏳️ UnspecifiedBuilt: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company / United StatesThe Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a U.S. tactical airlift family built by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company for rough-strip operations, oversized cargo, and airdrop missions. The Air Force says the aircraft can carry utility helicopters and six-wheeled armored vehicles, airdrop loads up to 42,000 pounds, and remains in production in C-130J form.

Manned Combat Submersible, Dry combat submersible, Naval Systems

Naval SystemsManned Combat SubmersibleDry combat submersibleSide: 🏳️ UnspecifiedBuilt: Lockheed Martin / United StatesThe Lockheed Martin Manned Combat Submersible is the product-page name for the Dry Combat Submersible (DCS), a pressurized special-operations insertion vehicle also designated S351 Nemesis. It carries two crew and up to six swimmers, uses electric propulsion, and reached USSOCOM initial operational capability in 2023 after a 2016 contract award.