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.
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"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.
"Weaponised aircraft is an emerging international opportunity specifically tailored for ATK's unique capabilities," says Mike Kahn, president of ATK Missile Products Group. "Our expertise in mission systems architecture and design, and aircraft integration and certification of complex subsystems positions us well for growth in this area."
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.
Meanwhile, KADDB has taken delivery of two Camcopter S-100 vertical take-off and landing unmanned air vehicles from Austrian manufacturer Schiebel. Equipped with an L-3 Wescam MX-10 electro-optical/infrared payload, the type will enter service with the Jordanian army's reconnaissance squadron.
Source: Flight International
