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Most of their plans have been deferred due to the Syrian Civil War.
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Most of their plans have been deferred due to the Syrian Civil War.
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King Abdullah being the jump master
http://jaf.mil.jo/Arabic/news/Pages/جلالة-القائد-الأعلى-يشارك-في-تمرين-عسكري-في-العمليات-الخاصة-اليوم.aspx
http://jaf.mil.jo/Arabic/news/Pages/جلالة-القائد-الأعلى-يشارك-في-تمرين-عسكري-في-العمليات-الخاصة-اليوم.aspx
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Jordan Seeks To Convert C-295 Into Gunship
Jun. 17, 2014 - 01:44PM |
By ANDREW CHUTER
PARIS— 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.
Jordan’s Prince Feisal bin Al Hussein told Defense News the AC-235 order had effectively acted as “proof of concept” machines to demonstrate the capability ahead of the deal for the larger aircraft.
Prince Feisal said the AC-295 gunship offered improved performance and endurance compared with the smaller aircraft.
“The weapons are essentially the same but the bigger fuselage gives us greater flexibility for incorporating sensors and other systems. Endurance is also improved with the AC-295 being able to fly for nine hours compared with the two-and-a-half to three hours of the AC-235. The bigger aircraft also has an air-to-air refueling capability,” he said.
Prince Feisal said use of an aircraft already in the inventory would significantly speed up delivery.
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.
Jordan Seeks To Convert C-295 Into Gunship | Defense News | defensenews.com
Jun. 17, 2014 - 01:44PM |
By ANDREW CHUTER
PARIS— 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.
Jordan’s Prince Feisal bin Al Hussein told Defense News the AC-235 order had effectively acted as “proof of concept” machines to demonstrate the capability ahead of the deal for the larger aircraft.
Prince Feisal said the AC-295 gunship offered improved performance and endurance compared with the smaller aircraft.
“The weapons are essentially the same but the bigger fuselage gives us greater flexibility for incorporating sensors and other systems. Endurance is also improved with the AC-295 being able to fly for nine hours compared with the two-and-a-half to three hours of the AC-235. The bigger aircraft also has an air-to-air refueling capability,” he said.
Prince Feisal said use of an aircraft already in the inventory would significantly speed up delivery.
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.
Jordan Seeks To Convert C-295 Into Gunship | Defense News | defensenews.com
Indus Falcon
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Indus Falcon
SENIOR MEMBER
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Jordan’s CN-235/ C295 Pocket Gunships
Jun 17, 201418:43 UTC by Defense Industry Daily staff
Jordan adding another gunship – C295 this time; APKWS laser-guided rockets to equip Jordanian gunships.
June 17/14: +1 C295.King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB), ATK, and Airbus Defence and Space have signed an agreement to cooperatively work together on a C295 gunship version. ATK will convert 1 of Jordan’s 2 serving C295s, using the same weapon and sensor suite as the AC-235s.
With the Middle East descending into chaos amidst American inaction, Jordan’s additional gunship order is just a sign of the times. Adding a C295 alongside the smaller CN-235s has the side effect of widening the market potential for their Airbus gunship offerings. Sources: Arabian Aerospace, “Jordan signs for C295 gunship partnership”.
May 7/14: Weapons.Jordan has formally signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance via the US Navy for BAE’s APKWS-IIlaser-guided 70mm rocket, which will be deployed on the kingdom’s CN-235 light gunships. This marks the guided rocket’s 1st export sale.
APKWS rockets give the gunships an intermediate option between the 30mm gun, and heavier AGM-114 Hellfire laser-guided missiles. A 70mm rocket is perfectly adequate for most counter-insurgency situations, is less expensive than a Hellfire, and can be carried in a pod that holds 7 guided rockets on the hardpoint instead of 2 Hellfires. Sources: BAE, “Kingdom of Jordan to Purchase BAE Systems’ Precision Rockets to Strengthen Military”
In February 2011, with unrest engulfing the Middle East, ATK announced a project with Jordan to turn 2 Jordanian CN-235 light transport aircraft into small aerial gunships. In June 2014, they were so pleased by the results that they decided to convert one of their larger C295s.
The aircraft pack electro-optical targeting systems that include a laser designator, aircraft self-protection equipment, and a weapons suite of Hellfire laser-guided missiles, laser-guided APKWS-II 70mm/2.75 inch rockets, and the same M230 link-fed 30mm chain gun that equips AH-64 Apache helicopters. The weapons are all controlled by ATK’s STAR mission system, turning the Airbus light transports into lethal but relatively inexpensive counter-insurgency platforms…
The Gunship Opportunity
Aerial gunships are extremely useful in a number of military scenarios, but most involve internal security, counter-insurgency, and special forces work. Their slow speed and regular flight patterns while firing can make them very vulnerable to air defenses, which sharply limits their usefulness in full scale warfare. On the other hand, they can be devastating against insurgents with few to no air defense systems.
US Special Operations Command AC-130H Spectre and AC-130U Spooky gunships are the best known examples of this type, and offer withering firepower. At over $100 million apiece, however, their price tag is a bit steep for most countries. It was even a bit steep for US SOCOM, who needed a cheaper option. Interest in using the C-27J Spartan light tactical transport was stymied, but Italy stepped in to help Alenia create the MC-27J Praetorian as a lower-priced option for the global market.
Meanwhile, ATK and Airbus are looking to leverage the wide global reach of Airbus’ popular CN-235 family. Jordan gave them that opportunity, and they hope that the industrial partnership opens up a strong niche for them, too. Especially in their own region. ATK:
“Modifications included the installation of an electro-optical targeting system, a laser designator, aircraft self-protection equipment, a synthetic aperture radar and an armaments capability that provides 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 ATK-supplied gun is controlled by the fire-control system, automatically linking the gun’s aim point to the selected target of interest, as illuminated by the mission operators using the laser designator. These capabilities are integrated with and controlled by ATK’s Mission System that provides both day and night reconnaissance and fire control capabilities, and the ability to acquire, monitor and track items of interest.”
In addition to competition from the MC-27J, they’ll also have to compete against roll-on weapon kits are being developed for C-130 Hercules aircraft, notably the KC-130J Harvest Hawk, and US SOCOM’s MC-130W Combat Spear (C-130H conversion) and AC-130J Ghostrider. A number of countries around the world operate C-130s, which could make roll-on arms kits very attractive on the global market.
June 17/14: +1 C295.King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB), ATK, and Airbus Defence and Space have signed an agreement to cooperatively work together on a C295 gunship version. ATK will convert 1 of Jordan’s 2 serving C295s, using the same weapon and sensor suite as the AC-235s.
With the Middle East descending into chaos amidst American inaction, Jordan’s additional gunship order is just a sign of the times. Adding a C295 alongside the smaller CN-235s has the side effect of widening the market potential for their Airbus gunship offerings. Sources: Arabian Aerospace, “Jordan signs for C295 gunship partnership”.
May 7/14: Weapons.Jordan has formally signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance via the US Navy for BAE’s APKWS-IIlaser-guided 70mm rocket, which will be deployed on the kingdom’s CN-235 light gunships. This marks the guided rocket’s 1st export sale.
APKWS rockets give the gunships an intermediate option between the 30mm gun, and heavier AGM-114 Hellfire laser-guided missiles. A 70mm rocket is perfectly adequate for most counter-insurgency situations, is less expensive than a Hellfire, and can be carried in a pod that holds 7 guided rockets on the hardpoint instead of 2 Hellfires. Sources: BAE, “Kingdom of Jordan to Purchase BAE Systems’ Precision Rockets to Strengthen Military”.
May 1/14: Delivery.ATK and KADDB (King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau) deliver the first modified CASA-235 light gunship to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, albeit a year beyond the original date of Spring 2013. The aircraft will be featured from May 6-8th, during the 10th edition of Jordan’s SOFEX Special Operations Conference and Exhibition. Sources: ATK, “ATK Delivers Fully Outfitted Light Gunship to Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan”.
Dec 4/13: Testing.ATK has completed the first flight test for the Kingdom of Jordan’s CASA-235 light gunship aircraft, to validate the installed weapons and gun system. No delivery date is given, but the beginning of flight tests is a good sign for the program, and for the market availability of an AC-235 offering. Sources: ATK, “ATK Completes First Flight Test of its Light Gunship for Kingdom of Jordan”.
Feb 19/11:ATK announces the co-development agreement with Jordan’sKing Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau
(KADDB). ATK’s scope of work includes development, systems integration, aircraft modification, and testing. Work will be performed in Jordan, and at ATK facilities in Fort Worth, TX, Mesa, AZ and Pelham, AL. Subject to U.S. government export licensing approval, the modified aircraft are expected to be delivered by the late spring of 2013.
The various “order of battle” databases don’t list any existing Jordanian CN-235s yet. 3 squadron flies a pair of larger EADS-CASA C-295Ms out of King Abdullah AB in Amman, and the same base reportedly holds Prince Hashim Bin Abdullah II Aviation Brigade’s 31 squadron and its AN-32B special operations aircraft, but CN-235s are not listed. A pair of CN-235s were reportedly rented for a while from Turkey, and a set of 2006 reports discussed the kingdom’s reported interest in buying 2 from co-developer Digiranta in Indonesia, but the fate of that deal was never announced. If a quiet deal hasn’t already been done, Jordan’s challenge would be to arrange a fast enough delivery to maintain the conversion project’s spring 2013 schedule.
The joint release acknowledges that KADDB has never done an aircraft modification, but they hope to create a project with sales appeal throughout the region. ATK’s Special Mission Aircraft product portfolio has included a variety of surveillance platforms, but the gunship is a step beyond for them, too. ATK Missile Products Group President Mike Kahn says the firm sees opportunities in Asia and Latin America for similar capabilities, and has had some initial discussions, but the contract with Jordan will be the stepping stone:
“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.”
Sources:ATK
|Flight International
Jordan’s CN-235/ C295 Pocket Gunships
Jun 17, 201418:43 UTC by Defense Industry Daily staff
Jordan adding another gunship – C295 this time; APKWS laser-guided rockets to equip Jordanian gunships.
June 17/14: +1 C295.King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB), ATK, and Airbus Defence and Space have signed an agreement to cooperatively work together on a C295 gunship version. ATK will convert 1 of Jordan’s 2 serving C295s, using the same weapon and sensor suite as the AC-235s.
With the Middle East descending into chaos amidst American inaction, Jordan’s additional gunship order is just a sign of the times. Adding a C295 alongside the smaller CN-235s has the side effect of widening the market potential for their Airbus gunship offerings. Sources: Arabian Aerospace, “Jordan signs for C295 gunship partnership”.
May 7/14: Weapons.Jordan has formally signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance via the US Navy for BAE’s APKWS-IIlaser-guided 70mm rocket, which will be deployed on the kingdom’s CN-235 light gunships. This marks the guided rocket’s 1st export sale.
APKWS rockets give the gunships an intermediate option between the 30mm gun, and heavier AGM-114 Hellfire laser-guided missiles. A 70mm rocket is perfectly adequate for most counter-insurgency situations, is less expensive than a Hellfire, and can be carried in a pod that holds 7 guided rockets on the hardpoint instead of 2 Hellfires. Sources: BAE, “Kingdom of Jordan to Purchase BAE Systems’ Precision Rockets to Strengthen Military”
In February 2011, with unrest engulfing the Middle East, ATK announced a project with Jordan to turn 2 Jordanian CN-235 light transport aircraft into small aerial gunships. In June 2014, they were so pleased by the results that they decided to convert one of their larger C295s.
The aircraft pack electro-optical targeting systems that include a laser designator, aircraft self-protection equipment, and a weapons suite of Hellfire laser-guided missiles, laser-guided APKWS-II 70mm/2.75 inch rockets, and the same M230 link-fed 30mm chain gun that equips AH-64 Apache helicopters. The weapons are all controlled by ATK’s STAR mission system, turning the Airbus light transports into lethal but relatively inexpensive counter-insurgency platforms…
The Gunship Opportunity
Aerial gunships are extremely useful in a number of military scenarios, but most involve internal security, counter-insurgency, and special forces work. Their slow speed and regular flight patterns while firing can make them very vulnerable to air defenses, which sharply limits their usefulness in full scale warfare. On the other hand, they can be devastating against insurgents with few to no air defense systems.
US Special Operations Command AC-130H Spectre and AC-130U Spooky gunships are the best known examples of this type, and offer withering firepower. At over $100 million apiece, however, their price tag is a bit steep for most countries. It was even a bit steep for US SOCOM, who needed a cheaper option. Interest in using the C-27J Spartan light tactical transport was stymied, but Italy stepped in to help Alenia create the MC-27J Praetorian as a lower-priced option for the global market.
Meanwhile, ATK and Airbus are looking to leverage the wide global reach of Airbus’ popular CN-235 family. Jordan gave them that opportunity, and they hope that the industrial partnership opens up a strong niche for them, too. Especially in their own region. ATK:
“Modifications included the installation of an electro-optical targeting system, a laser designator, aircraft self-protection equipment, a synthetic aperture radar and an armaments capability that provides 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 ATK-supplied gun is controlled by the fire-control system, automatically linking the gun’s aim point to the selected target of interest, as illuminated by the mission operators using the laser designator. These capabilities are integrated with and controlled by ATK’s Mission System that provides both day and night reconnaissance and fire control capabilities, and the ability to acquire, monitor and track items of interest.”
In addition to competition from the MC-27J, they’ll also have to compete against roll-on weapon kits are being developed for C-130 Hercules aircraft, notably the KC-130J Harvest Hawk, and US SOCOM’s MC-130W Combat Spear (C-130H conversion) and AC-130J Ghostrider. A number of countries around the world operate C-130s, which could make roll-on arms kits very attractive on the global market.
June 17/14: +1 C295.King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB), ATK, and Airbus Defence and Space have signed an agreement to cooperatively work together on a C295 gunship version. ATK will convert 1 of Jordan’s 2 serving C295s, using the same weapon and sensor suite as the AC-235s.
With the Middle East descending into chaos amidst American inaction, Jordan’s additional gunship order is just a sign of the times. Adding a C295 alongside the smaller CN-235s has the side effect of widening the market potential for their Airbus gunship offerings. Sources: Arabian Aerospace, “Jordan signs for C295 gunship partnership”.
May 7/14: Weapons.Jordan has formally signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance via the US Navy for BAE’s APKWS-IIlaser-guided 70mm rocket, which will be deployed on the kingdom’s CN-235 light gunships. This marks the guided rocket’s 1st export sale.
APKWS rockets give the gunships an intermediate option between the 30mm gun, and heavier AGM-114 Hellfire laser-guided missiles. A 70mm rocket is perfectly adequate for most counter-insurgency situations, is less expensive than a Hellfire, and can be carried in a pod that holds 7 guided rockets on the hardpoint instead of 2 Hellfires. Sources: BAE, “Kingdom of Jordan to Purchase BAE Systems’ Precision Rockets to Strengthen Military”.
May 1/14: Delivery.ATK and KADDB (King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau) deliver the first modified CASA-235 light gunship to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, albeit a year beyond the original date of Spring 2013. The aircraft will be featured from May 6-8th, during the 10th edition of Jordan’s SOFEX Special Operations Conference and Exhibition. Sources: ATK, “ATK Delivers Fully Outfitted Light Gunship to Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan”.
Dec 4/13: Testing.ATK has completed the first flight test for the Kingdom of Jordan’s CASA-235 light gunship aircraft, to validate the installed weapons and gun system. No delivery date is given, but the beginning of flight tests is a good sign for the program, and for the market availability of an AC-235 offering. Sources: ATK, “ATK Completes First Flight Test of its Light Gunship for Kingdom of Jordan”.
Feb 19/11:ATK announces the co-development agreement with Jordan’sKing Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau
The various “order of battle” databases don’t list any existing Jordanian CN-235s yet. 3 squadron flies a pair of larger EADS-CASA C-295Ms out of King Abdullah AB in Amman, and the same base reportedly holds Prince Hashim Bin Abdullah II Aviation Brigade’s 31 squadron and its AN-32B special operations aircraft, but CN-235s are not listed. A pair of CN-235s were reportedly rented for a while from Turkey, and a set of 2006 reports discussed the kingdom’s reported interest in buying 2 from co-developer Digiranta in Indonesia, but the fate of that deal was never announced. If a quiet deal hasn’t already been done, Jordan’s challenge would be to arrange a fast enough delivery to maintain the conversion project’s spring 2013 schedule.
The joint release acknowledges that KADDB has never done an aircraft modification, but they hope to create a project with sales appeal throughout the region. ATK’s Special Mission Aircraft product portfolio has included a variety of surveillance platforms, but the gunship is a step beyond for them, too. ATK Missile Products Group President Mike Kahn says the firm sees opportunities in Asia and Latin America for similar capabilities, and has had some initial discussions, but the contract with Jordan will be the stepping stone:
“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.”
Sources:ATK
Jordan’s CN-235/ C295 Pocket Gunships
Altamimi
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Jordan’s CN-235/ C295 Pocket Gunships
Jun 17, 201418:43 UTC by Defense Industry Daily staff
Jordan adding another gunship – C295 this time; APKWS laser-guided rockets to equip Jordanian gunships.
June 17/14: +1 C295.King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB), ATK, and Airbus Defence and Space have signed an agreement to cooperatively work together on a C295 gunship version. ATK will convert 1 of Jordan’s 2 serving C295s, using the same weapon and sensor suite as the AC-235s.
With the Middle East descending into chaos amidst American inaction, Jordan’s additional gunship order is just a sign of the times. Adding a C295 alongside the smaller CN-235s has the side effect of widening the market potential for their Airbus gunship offerings. Sources: Arabian Aerospace, “Jordan signs for C295 gunship partnership”.
May 7/14: Weapons.Jordan has formally signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance via the US Navy for BAE’s APKWS-IIlaser-guided 70mm rocket, which will be deployed on the kingdom’s CN-235 light gunships. This marks the guided rocket’s 1st export sale.
APKWS rockets give the gunships an intermediate option between the 30mm gun, and heavier AGM-114 Hellfire laser-guided missiles. A 70mm rocket is perfectly adequate for most counter-insurgency situations, is less expensive than a Hellfire, and can be carried in a pod that holds 7 guided rockets on the hardpoint instead of 2 Hellfires. Sources: BAE, “Kingdom of Jordan to Purchase BAE Systems’ Precision Rockets to Strengthen Military”
In February 2011, with unrest engulfing the Middle East, ATK announced a project with Jordan to turn 2 Jordanian CN-235 light transport aircraft into small aerial gunships. In June 2014, they were so pleased by the results that they decided to convert one of their larger C295s.
The aircraft pack electro-optical targeting systems that include a laser designator, aircraft self-protection equipment, and a weapons suite of Hellfire laser-guided missiles, laser-guided APKWS-II 70mm/2.75 inch rockets, and the same M230 link-fed 30mm chain gun that equips AH-64 Apache helicopters. The weapons are all controlled by ATK’s STAR mission system, turning the Airbus light transports into lethal but relatively inexpensive counter-insurgency platforms…
The Gunship Opportunity
Aerial gunships are extremely useful in a number of military scenarios, but most involve internal security, counter-insurgency, and special forces work. Their slow speed and regular flight patterns while firing can make them very vulnerable to air defenses, which sharply limits their usefulness in full scale warfare. On the other hand, they can be devastating against insurgents with few to no air defense systems.
US Special Operations Command AC-130H Spectre and AC-130U Spooky gunships are the best known examples of this type, and offer withering firepower. At over $100 million apiece, however, their price tag is a bit steep for most countries. It was even a bit steep for US SOCOM, who needed a cheaper option. Interest in using the C-27J Spartan light tactical transport was stymied, but Italy stepped in to help Alenia create the MC-27J Praetorian as a lower-priced option for the global market.
Meanwhile, ATK and Airbus are looking to leverage the wide global reach of Airbus’ popular CN-235 family. Jordan gave them that opportunity, and they hope that the industrial partnership opens up a strong niche for them, too. Especially in their own region. ATK:
“Modifications included the installation of an electro-optical targeting system, a laser designator, aircraft self-protection equipment, a synthetic aperture radar and an armaments capability that provides 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 ATK-supplied gun is controlled by the fire-control system, automatically linking the gun’s aim point to the selected target of interest, as illuminated by the mission operators using the laser designator. These capabilities are integrated with and controlled by ATK’s Mission System that provides both day and night reconnaissance and fire control capabilities, and the ability to acquire, monitor and track items of interest.”
In addition to competition from the MC-27J, they’ll also have to compete against roll-on weapon kits are being developed for C-130 Hercules aircraft, notably the KC-130J Harvest Hawk, and US SOCOM’s MC-130W Combat Spear (C-130H conversion) and AC-130J Ghostrider. A number of countries around the world operate C-130s, which could make roll-on arms kits very attractive on the global market.
June 17/14: +1 C295.King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB), ATK, and Airbus Defence and Space have signed an agreement to cooperatively work together on a C295 gunship version. ATK will convert 1 of Jordan’s 2 serving C295s, using the same weapon and sensor suite as the AC-235s.
With the Middle East descending into chaos amidst American inaction, Jordan’s additional gunship order is just a sign of the times. Adding a C295 alongside the smaller CN-235s has the side effect of widening the market potential for their Airbus gunship offerings. Sources: Arabian Aerospace, “Jordan signs for C295 gunship partnership”.
May 7/14: Weapons.Jordan has formally signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance via the US Navy for BAE’s APKWS-IIlaser-guided 70mm rocket, which will be deployed on the kingdom’s CN-235 light gunships. This marks the guided rocket’s 1st export sale.
APKWS rockets give the gunships an intermediate option between the 30mm gun, and heavier AGM-114 Hellfire laser-guided missiles. A 70mm rocket is perfectly adequate for most counter-insurgency situations, is less expensive than a Hellfire, and can be carried in a pod that holds 7 guided rockets on the hardpoint instead of 2 Hellfires. Sources: BAE, “Kingdom of Jordan to Purchase BAE Systems’ Precision Rockets to Strengthen Military”.
May 1/14: Delivery.ATK and KADDB (King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau) deliver the first modified CASA-235 light gunship to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, albeit a year beyond the original date of Spring 2013. The aircraft will be featured from May 6-8th, during the 10th edition of Jordan’s SOFEX Special Operations Conference and Exhibition. Sources: ATK, “ATK Delivers Fully Outfitted Light Gunship to Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan”.
Dec 4/13: Testing.ATK has completed the first flight test for the Kingdom of Jordan’s CASA-235 light gunship aircraft, to validate the installed weapons and gun system. No delivery date is given, but the beginning of flight tests is a good sign for the program, and for the market availability of an AC-235 offering. Sources: ATK, “ATK Completes First Flight Test of its Light Gunship for Kingdom of Jordan”.
Feb 19/11:ATK announces the co-development agreement with Jordan’sKing Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau(KADDB). ATK’s scope of work includes development, systems integration, aircraft modification, and testing. Work will be performed in Jordan, and at ATK facilities in Fort Worth, TX, Mesa, AZ and Pelham, AL. Subject to U.S. government export licensing approval, the modified aircraft are expected to be delivered by the late spring of 2013.
The various “order of battle” databases don’t list any existing Jordanian CN-235s yet. 3 squadron flies a pair of larger EADS-CASA C-295Ms out of King Abdullah AB in Amman, and the same base reportedly holds Prince Hashim Bin Abdullah II Aviation Brigade’s 31 squadron and its AN-32B special operations aircraft, but CN-235s are not listed. A pair of CN-235s were reportedly rented for a while from Turkey, and a set of 2006 reports discussed the kingdom’s reported interest in buying 2 from co-developer Digiranta in Indonesia, but the fate of that deal was never announced. If a quiet deal hasn’t already been done, Jordan’s challenge would be to arrange a fast enough delivery to maintain the conversion project’s spring 2013 schedule.
The joint release acknowledges that KADDB has never done an aircraft modification, but they hope to create a project with sales appeal throughout the region. ATK’s Special Mission Aircraft product portfolio has included a variety of surveillance platforms, but the gunship is a step beyond for them, too. ATK Missile Products Group President Mike Kahn says the firm sees opportunities in Asia and Latin America for similar capabilities, and has had some initial discussions, but the contract with Jordan will be the stepping stone:
“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.”
Sources:ATK|Flight International
Jordan’s CN-235/ C295 Pocket Gunships
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Jordan to convert C295 military transport plane into gunship
AMMAN (BNS): Jordan has inked an agreement with Europe's Airbus Defence and Space and US's ATK to convert one of its two C295 military transport aircraft into a gunship.
Under the agreement, Airbus and ATK will cooperatively work with the King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB) of Jordan in converting the aircraft operated by the Royal Jordanian Air Force into gunship configuration.
The new configuration AC295 will join two AC-235 gunships that were delivered to Jordan by ATK in May this year.
The AC295 gunship configuration will be based on the AC-235 light gunship 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, Airbus Military announced.
Read more: Jordan to convert C295 military transport plane into gunship | Terminal X
AMMAN (BNS): Jordan has inked an agreement with Europe's Airbus Defence and Space and US's ATK to convert one of its two C295 military transport aircraft into a gunship.
Under the agreement, Airbus and ATK will cooperatively work with the King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB) of Jordan in converting the aircraft operated by the Royal Jordanian Air Force into gunship configuration.
The new configuration AC295 will join two AC-235 gunships that were delivered to Jordan by ATK in May this year.
The AC295 gunship configuration will be based on the AC-235 light gunship 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, Airbus Military announced.
Read more: Jordan to convert C295 military transport plane into gunship | Terminal X
Ahmed Jo
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I don't understand who the hell you think you are to be judging other people, you should know that reality doesn't conform to your narrow mindset. And yes, the al-kurdi family has been in Jordan before Jordan as a country was even established.
So i didn't believe him, what's the problem, that post is old and some kurdish troll was banned earlier.
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