Australia, Philippines, South Korea interested in gunship conversions

ATK has received significant interest in its gunship and light attack aircraft conversions from a number of Asia-Pacific countries.
Interest in ATK's tactical transport gunship conversions has been particularly strong from several regional countries, with capability discussions ongoing.
Australia is very interested in the MC-27J [special mission aircraft, which ATK developed with airframer Alenia Aermacchi]; Indonesia has shown interest in the [Airbus Defence and Space] CN-235 and C-295 gunship conversions; the Philippines recently bought [surplus Lockheed Martin] C-130Ts, which ATK have briefed about converting [into roll-on/roll-off gunships]; and ATK have briefed South Korea on gunship applications for the CN-235 too..
ATK's light attack and gunship conversion work has become especially popular over recent years, with Iraq receiving Hellfire-armed AC-208 Combat Caravans, Jordan receiving AC-235 gunships (with a contract for AC-295s expected imminently), and Italy signing for the MC-27J special mission aircraft.
janes

Jordan to arm donated IOMAX Block 1 BPAs, UAE to order Block 3 aircraft

Jordan is to arm the six IOMAX Border Patrol Aircraft (BPA) Block 1 precision strike turboprop aircraft that were gifted to the country by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2013.
This new capability will allow the BPA aircraft to carry six GBU-58 250 lb precision-guided bombs and/or six AGM-114 Hellfire missiles. Additionally, precision strike weapons training will begin immediately for the Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF). The intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR)/weapons training and weapons integration will be completed with operational employment of the platforms to occur by the end of the third quarter of 2014.
When the Block I IOMAX aircraft were first donated to Jordan by the UAE in the latter half of 2013, they were handed over in an unarmed configuration to be used purely for ISR duties. However, with all six aircraft now operational with the RJAF, the US government has approved IOMAX to proceed with weaponising these platforms.
Once armed, the six BPAs will join the RJAF's two Airbus CN235-100M gunships, and six Cessna C208B Grand Caravan turboprop command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) platforms. The RJAF recently announced its intention to convert one of its Airbus C295 tactical transport aircraft into a gunship also.
While the Jordanian aircraft will not be equipped with a gun at this time, IOMAX plans to integrate the GAU-19B 12.7 mm (.50 calibre) Gatling gun pod onto the Block III aircraft currently being developed for the UAE and other potential export customers; dubbed Archangel. The gun is being supported in the UAE by a number of former US Air Force Fairchild-Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots who are now advising the UAE government.
janes

Jordan Seeks To Convert C-295 Into Gunship

Jordan is stepping up its gunship capability following the signing of a deal with aircraft builder Airbus Military and weapons supplier ATK to convert one of the C-295 transports in service with its Air Force into an aerial enforcer.
The Jordanian state-owned King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau signed a deal at Eurosatory to work cooperatively with ATK and Airbus to develop a C-295 gunship.
The twin turboprop C-295 is best known as a transport aircraft but is increasingly being offered in special mission roles. The Jordanian deal is the first time it will be used as a gunship.
The signing comes just weeks after the Royal Jordanian Air Force took delivery of two smaller Airbus CN-235 transports converted into the gunship role, where they are known as the AC-235.
The AC-295 gunship configuration will be based on the AC-235, which includes integrated mission and fire control systems, electro-optical and radar sensors, Hellfire missiles, ATK’s side-mounted M230 30mm chain gun, an integrated defensive suite, and 2.75-inch guided rockets.
The prince would not confirm final fleet numbers but a source said it was possible a new aircraft would also be purchased from Airbus Military to round out the total Jordanian gunship capability to four aircraft.
defensenews

Jordan takes delivery of AC235 gunship

The Royal Jordanian Air Force has taken delivery of its first Airbus Defence & Space CN235 transport to have been adapted for a light gunship role.
The result of a collaboration between the nation’s King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau and US contractor ATK Defense, the modified AC235 is being exhibited at the 6-8 May SOFEX exhibition in Amman.
Weapons integrated with the aircraft include a side-mounted 30mm cannon, plus four Lockheed Martin AGM-114M/K Hellfire air-to-surface missiles and two pods for BAE Systems 70mm (2.75in) Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System laser-guided rockets, carried using fuselage-mounted pylons. The aircraft also has been equipped with a suite of countermeasures systems for self-protection.
Delivery of the aircraft – which was previously operated by the Jordanian service in the air transport role – followed extensive modifications, including the installation of an ATK mission suite with two onboard operator stations.
The Royal Jordanian Air Force had has two CN235 transports in storage, both originally built for the Spanish air force in 1990. The Jordanian service also currently flies two Airbus C295s in the medium transport role.
ATK is also teamed with Alenia Aermacchi on the development of a command and control and gunship variant of the latter’s Spartan medium transport. A fully-equipped MC-27J demonstrator – also equipped with a 30mm cannon – is scheduled to undergo a full firing campaign in the USA from next month. The Italian air force is to modify six of its C-27Js to the adapted configuration.
flightglobal

JORDAN AC-235 GUNSHIP

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— Antonio Valencia (@AValencia_Alfa) May 6, 2014