Posted on 12/05/2013 10:29:08 PM PST by sukhoi-30mki
ARLINGTON, Va., Dec. 4, 2013 -- /PRNewswire/ -- ATK (NYSE: ATK), a leader in weaponized, special-mission aircraft, announced it has completed the first flight test for the Kingdom of Jordan's two CASA-235 light gunship aircraft. ATK was awarded a contract by King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB) of the Kingdom of Jordan to modify two of the country's CASA-235 transport aircraft into highly-capable and cost-effective special mission aircraft.
With modifications and ground testing complete, ATK began the flight test program to validate the installed weapons and gun system. Upon successful completion of the test program, the aircraft will be delivered to the Kingdom of Jordan to support the mission of the Jordanian Armed Forces.
"We are pleased that KADDB has selected ATK to provide this unprecedented capability to the Jordanian Armed Forces," said Bill Kasting, vice president and general manager of ATK's Defense Electronic Systems division. "This program will provide the Kingdom of Jordan with the first multi-mission gunship capability in the region. The start of the flight test is a major milestone achievement by the ATK and KADDB team."
In collaboration with KADDB, ATK developed and provided the system integration and aircraft modifications to turn a CASA-235 cargo plane into a multi-mission gunship. These modifications include installation of an electro-optical targeting systems, a laser designator, aircraft self-protection equipment, a synthetic aperture radar, and an armaments capability that can provide sustained and precise firepower in a variety of scenarios using Hellfire laser-guided missiles, 2.75-inch rockets, and a side-mounted M230 link-fed 30mm chain gun. The gun is automatically aligned to the target, cued by a camera in conjunction with the mission management and fire control solution. These capabilities are integrated with and controlled by ATK's Mission System, which
Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/12/04/5969244/atk-completes-first-flight-test.html#storylink=cpy
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
Looks like a modified Dash-8.
Can they not afford AC130s
“Can they not afford AC130s”
Most likely the builder could not get an export license due to ITAR (International trafficking in Arms Regulations)restrictions. A license can be denied for no apparent reason and it’s not worth protesting it.
I had a heck of a time getting permission to use a photograph that’s available on BAE’s website. The product is built by British owned BAE, but used by the US Navy. We were trying to incorporate BAE’s product into a proposal to the Australian Navy.
Oh I can imagine it’s tough. I never miss an opportunity to mention the AC130. The plane shown in the picture is cool.
It has nowhere near the firepower of an AC-130 and is more of a target suppression vs. an area suppression system like the AC-130.
The 30mm gun is off the Bradly and is not a high volume gun. They are using it as a precision weapon instead.
SOCOM wants something similar using a C-27J as the basis, but the Air Force killed the C-27J so they're SOL for now.
“SOCOM wants something similar using a C-27J as the basis, but the Air Force killed the C-27J so they’re SOL for now.”
That’s not true. The USAF has taken delivery of the C-27J Spartans. They will be taken from the USAF [it doesn’t want them] and assigned to SOCOM and the USCG under current plans. SOCOM will be converting them to gunships and the USCG will use theirs for SAR.
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