AC–130 GUNSHIPS.

SEC. 134. AC–130 GUNSHIPS.(a) Report on Reduction in Service Life in Connection With Accelerated Deployment.—Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Air Force, in consultation with the Commander of the United States Special Operations Command, shall submit to the congressional defense committees an assessment of the reduction in the service life of AC–130 gunships of the Air Force as a result of the accelerated deployments of such gunships that are anticipated during the seven- to ten-year period beginning with the date of the enactment of this Act, assuming that operating tempo continues at 123 STAT. 2220 a rate per year that is similar to the average rate per year of the five years preceding the date of the report.(b) Elements.—The report required by subsection (a) shall include the following:(1) An estimate by series of the maintenance costs for the AC–130 gunships during the period described in subsection (a), including any major airframe and engine overhauls of such aircraft anticipated during that period.(2) A description by series of the age, serviceability, and capabilities of the armament systems of the AC–130 gunships.(3) An estimate by series of the costs of modernizing the armament systems of the AC–130 gunships to achieve any necessary capability improvements.(4) A description by series of the age and capabilities of the electronic warfare systems of the AC–130 gunships, and an estimate of the cost of upgrading such systems during that period to achieve any necessary capability improvements.(5) A description by series of the age of the avionics systems of the AC–130 gunships and an estimate of the cost of upgrading such systems during that period to achieve any necessary capability improvements.(c) Form.—The report required by subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.(d) Analysis of Alternatives.—The Secretary of the Air Force, in consultation with the Commander of the United States Special Operations Command, shall conduct an analysis of alternatives for any gunship modernization requirements identified by the 2009 quadrennial defense review under section 118 of title 10, United States Code. The results of the analysis of alternatives shall be provided to the congressional defense committees not later than 18 months after the completion of the 2009 quadrennial defense review.