Another PIC: that Jordanian-ordered C295 gunship conversion

[Stratofreighter]

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i= ... =AME&s=AIR

IDEX: ATK To Modify Planes for Jordanian Military

By ANDREW CHUTER

Published: 20 Feb 2011 11:49

ABU DHABI - The Jordanian military is turning two CASA-235 aircraft into heavily armed gunships and has contracted ATK to modify the transport aircraft, the U.S. firm announced Feb. 20 at IDEX 2011.

A graphic of the gunship that ATK will produce for the Royal Jordanian Air Force.

ATK is partnering with Jordanian state-owned King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau to modifying the EADS-built aircraft in time for a late spring 2013 delivery to the Royal Jordanian Air Force.

ATK will install and integrate electro-optical targeting systems, a laser designator, aircraft self-protection equipment, and an armaments capability that includes Hellfire laser-guided missiles,
2.75-inch rockets, and a M230 link-fed 30mm chain gun similar to the one ATK supplies for the Apache attack helicopter.

Work will be performed in Jordan and at three ATK sites in the U.S.

ATK's special mission aircraft business in 2008 modified a Cessna Grand Caravan to an armed configuration for the Iraqi military. The aircraft has a similar weapons fit to the Jordanian aircraft. Its capabilities include air-to-air and air-to-ground data links.

In a separate announcement involving Jordan, the Austrian rotary unmanned air systems supplier Schiebel said it had delivered two Camcopter S-100 machines to KADDB. The vehicles will be used by the Royal Jordanian Air Force for surveillance and reconnaissance duties.

[SquAdmin]

Do I see unguided missiles mounted to the gear bay? (!)

[Stratofreighter]

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/20 ... arket.html

DATE:23/02/11
SOURCE:Flight International

ATK eyes modified gunship market
By Siva Govindasamy

ATK, a US armaments and missile components firm, plans to move into the business of modifying military aircraft into cost-effective gunships after signing a contract with Jordan.

The company is working with Jordan's King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB) to modify two of the country's Airbus Military CN-235-series transports and deliver them by late spring 2013.

Work will be performed at KADDB's facilities in Amman, Jordan and ATK facilities in the USA.

The company will install and integrate electro-optical targeting systems, a laser designator, aircraft self-protection equipment, and an armaments capability that includes Lockheed Martin AGM-114 Hellfire laser-guided missiles, 2.75in rocket launchers and an M230 link-fed 30mm chain gun.

The M230 family of guns is also used on Boeing's AH-64 Apache attack helicopter.

The Royal Jordanian Air Force operates two C-295s, says Flightglobal's MiliCAS database.

"Although the light gunship represents KADDB's first endeavour in aircraft modification, it lays the foundation for further potential growth with experienced partners to accommodate Jordan and the Middle East and North Africa region's requirements," says ATK.

© Billypix/Tim Bicheno-Brown

"The CN-235 gunship provides customers an enhanced capability to conduct responsive defence, counter-insurgency, and border surveillance and security missions."

The light gunship capability package is the latest addition to ATK's special mission aircraft product portfolio.

The company has previously outfitted aircraft including Lockheed C-130s, Bombardier Dash 8s, Beechcraft King Airs and others with integrated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

Two years ago, it also integrated two Cessna Caravans with light attack capabilities for the Iraqi air force.

The company says that apart from the Middle East and Africa, it sees opportunities in Asia and Latin America for similar capabilities.

It has had some initial discussions, but the contract with Jordan will be the stepping stone for securing additional business, believes vice-president David Wise.

"This is really the first step.
Countries without a big budget but with a need for some light attack capability on either their existing aircraft, or to modify aircraft that they are buying, will have the option with our package.

It is a cost-competitive option as we can work with a wide variety of aircraft. If a customer wants a particular capability or weapon, we can do it," Wise says.