Internationale gunship ontwikkelingen

[Sparkplug]

Lockheed Martin Delivers Laser Weapon for AC-130J Gunship

https://www.airforcemag.com/lockheed-martin-delivers-laser-weapon-for-ac-130j-gunship/

[Parera]

Wat meer info en foto's van deze ''nieuwe'' C-295 variant:










via https://www.aviacionline.com/


Misschien is de C-295 wel iets voor Belgie met hun STOL plannen als SOF ondersteuning. Niet alleen transport maar ook vuursteun voor de SOF en op een relatief klein toestel.

[Sparkplug]

Airbus trials armed C295 gunship for persistent CAS

29 JUNE 2021

by Gareth Jennings

Airbus has flown an upgraded version of its armed C295 gunship that has been developed to provide persistent close air support (CAS).


The C295 Armed ISR has recently conducted flight trials. (Airbus)

The company announced on 20 June that the C295 Armed ISR, as the version is named, recently conducted flight trials with eight laser-guided missiles and two laser-guided bombs dummies, located on four underwing hardpoints. These initial trials were designed to validate the aircraft's mechanical and aerodynamic characteristics when fitted with such a weapons load.

"With the quality and safety of the modification ensured by Airbus as original equipment manufacturer, the C295 Armed ISR provides persistent surveillance with a diverse set of weapons for defensive and attack capabilities," the company said, adding that it can carry out special operations missions, support ground troops, and neutralise targets detected during surveillance and patrol missions, and has a long endurance.

As noted by Airbus, the company signed a series of agreements with air-to-surface weapon suppliers at the Dubai Airshow 2017 to equip the C295. These agreements included a memorandum of understanding with Roketsan of Turkey and similar arrangements have been signed with Expal, Escribano and Equipaer of Spain, as well as Rheinmetall of Germany, and the US suppliers Nobles Worldwide and US Ordnance.

"Equipped with the last generation FITS [Fully Integrated Tactical System], the C295 Armed ISR incorporates different weaponry options available in kits that allow the operator to select the most appropriate option for their requirements: from machine guns, 27 mm autocannon, guided and unguided rockets, laser-guided missiles to laser guided bombs," Airbus said.

Already a Janes subscriber? Read the full article via the Client Login

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/airbus-trials-armed-c295-gunship-for-persistent-cas

[Sparkplug]

USMC seeks BLOS upgrade for Harvest HAWK gunships

The US Marine Corps (USMC) is looking to upgrade the Harvest Hercules Airborne Weapons Kit (HAWK) mission package for its Lockheed Martin KC-130J tanker-transport aircraft with a beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) capability.

The request for information (RFI), issued by the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) on 19 May, covers the design, manufacture, test, integration, and installation of a new Harvest HAWK Plus (HH+) BLOS standard.

"The BLOS upgrade addresses the void of battlespace commanders' situational awareness by providing full-motion video and enhanced communications capability within the HH+ Mission Operator Pallet (MOP) via hardware and [Sierra Nevada Corporation] Burma software modifications," the RFI said, noting that responses are due by 17:00 EST on 30 May.

Originally developed to fulfil an urgent operational requirement in Afghanistan, the Harvest HAWK conversion programme equipped the KC-130J with a roll-on/roll-off, dual-screen, fire-control console mounted in a removable cargo platform in the aircraft's cargo compartment, a Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control AN/AAQ-30 Target Sight Sensor mounted under the port-side wing fuel tank, and a Common Data Link. The aircraft's weapons fit comprises four AGM-114P Hellfire II laser-guided, air-to-surface missiles mounted on the port-side refuelling pylon, and MBDA GBU-44/E Viper Strike and Raytheon Griffin A air-to-surface missiles launched from a ramp-mounted 10-round rack and a pressurised dispenser dubbed the 'Derringer Door'. A sideways-firing Mk 44 30 mm cannon has been deferred to a later Block III upgrade set to be implemented from fiscal year 2023.

Already a Janes subscriber? To read the full 312 word article Client Login


An airman poses next to the operational 'kill' markings stencilled onto the fuselage of a Harvest HAWK in Afghanistan during the war fighting stage of the conflict, giving an indication of the type's work rate in the CAS role. The USMC is now looking to enhance the aircraft's capability with a BLOS capability.

https://janescom.sitefinity.cloud/defence-news/news-detail/2020/05/20/a6972d02-320f-4a02-a38f-dee791db4b5f

[Harald]

US trials Stinger II gunships in anti-surface warfare role   
( Krijgen we straks P-8 update met een GAU-23 Bushmaster 30 mm kanon ? ..    tegen oppervlakte doelen ? )

The US military is trialling the use of the Lockheed Martin AC-130W Stinger II gunship in the anti-surface warfare (ASuW) role in the Middle East.

The Department of Defense (DoD) announced on 15 March that US Navy (USN) Cyclone-class patrol coastal ships (PC) and Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime multimission aircraft (MMA) assigned to US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) had conducted "a first-of-its-kind" joint exercise with US Air Force (USAF) AC-130W gunships assigned to Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT) on 8 and 9 March.

According to the DoD, the exercises were designed to enhance the capabilities of US forces to respond to surface threats and involved P-8 aircraft performing long-range reconnaissance ahead of PCs selecting simulated surface targets for the AC-130W to engage.

"This exercise mark[ed] the first time these assets ha[d] been integrated in direct support of maritime security operations in the Arabian Gulf," the DoD said.

The AC-130W Stinger II (formerly known as Dragon Spear) is a gunship-variant of the C-130 Hercules transport aircraft and is flown by the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). It is armed with a GAU-23 Bushmaster 30 mm cannon, a 105 mm gun, and stand-off precision-guided munitions such as the Boeing GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) and Raytheon's AGM-176A Griffin missile. AFSOC has 12 such aircraft in its inventory, flying alongside C-130-gunship variants such as the AC-130J Ghostrider.

These joint exercises are in support of the USN's Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 50/Combined Task Force (CTF) 55, which conducts maritime security operations in support of regional security and stability in the 5th Fleet's area of responsibility (AoR) that encompasses about 6.5 million km 2 across the Gulf, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean.

https://www.janes.com/article/94890/us-trials-stinger-ii-gunships-in-anti-surface-warfare-role

[Harald]

US Navy Surface Forces and AC-130W Gunships Conduct Joint Operations in Arabian Gulf

U.S. Navy Cyclone-class patrol coastal ships (PC) and P-8A Poseidon aircraft assigned to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) conducted a first of its kind joint exercise with AC-130W Stinger II gunships assigned to Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT), March 8 and 9.

The exercise, which is designed to enhance the capabilities of U.S. forces to respond to surface threats, involved U.S. Navy P-8 aircraft performing long range reconnaissance and PCs selecting simulated surface targets for the AC-130W to engage.

"Our surface forces integrating with aircraft that have the firepower of an AC-130W brings a capability to the joint force that profoundly enhances our lethality in the maritime environment. The addition of the Gunship to the joint maritime battle significantly enhances our ability to detect, track, engage and defeat surface threats in order to control water space in the Arabian Gulf," said Capt. Peter Mirisola, Commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 50/Commander, Combined Task Force (CTF) 55. "The effectiveness of this joint capability to conduct maritime strike, reconnaissance and armed overwatch was clearly displayed during this live-fire event."

The AC-130W is employed in multiple theaters using 30mm, 105mm, and precision guided munitions to execute close air support and air interdiction missions. This exercise marks the first time these assets have been integrated in direct support of maritime security operations in the Arabian Gulf.

While this is the first integration of the AC-130W in this capacity, similar integration operations with Special Operations assets were conducted in the Gulf between U.S. Naval Forces and MH-6M Little Bird helicopters during Operation Earnest Will from 1987 to 1988.

"We've effectively employed similar joint capabilities in the past to counter belligerent forces that attempt to disrupt or hinder the free flow of commerce and freedom of navigation in this region using force, or attack U.S., coalition, or partner forces in a conflict," said Vice Adm. Jim Malloy, commander, NAVCENT. "We will continue to work across component commands and coalition partners to further improve the lethality of our forces through our ability to simultaneously engage a multitude of threats in the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea and adjacent waters."

https://www.dvidshub.net/news/365243/us-navy-surface-forces-and-ac-130w-gunships-conduct-joint-operations-arabian-gulf

[Sparkplug]

U.S. Air Force's Spooky gunship completed its final combat deployment (afscheid van de AC-130U)

https://defence-blog.com/news/u-s-air-forces-spooky-gunship-completed-its-final-combat-deployment.html

[Harald]

Air Force Gets First Upgraded 'Ghostrider' Gunship

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/03/08/air-force-gets-first-upgraded-ghostrider-gunship.html

[Harald]

Indonesia develops gunship variant of CN-235 aircraft

Key Points
•PT Dirgantara has confirmed plans to market a gunship variant of the CN-235 turboprop aircraft
•Work on a demonstrator platform is currently under way, and the company aims for its first flight in 2019

Indonesian state-owned aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara (PTDI) has begun work on a gunship variant of the CN-235 twin-engine multipurpose aircraft, the company has confirmed to Jane's .

The aircraft, which is based on the company's CN-235-220 airframe, is being developed as a demonstrator platform, and will be marketed to potential customers in the Middle Eastern, African, and Central and Southeast Asian regions, said the company.

The aircraft is being modified to carry one single-barrelled 30 mm DEFA 553 aircraft cannon on the portside aft of its fuselage. The weapon has been salvaged from a retired Douglas A-4H Skyhawk that was formerly in service with the Indonesian Air Force (Tentara Nasional Indonesia – Angkatan Udara: TNI-AU).

The DEFA 553 cannon has a muzzle velocity of 810 m/s, and can fire up to 1,200 rds/min at both air and surface targets. There are also plans to complement this weapon with electro-optical targeting systems and a laser designator. However, the company has yet to decide on systems that will be selected for these roles on the demonstrator.

Other differences that the gunship demonstrator will feature over earlier versions of PTDI's CN-235 include using General Electric (GE) CT7-9 turboprop engines, instead of the older CT7-7. The aircraft has also been built with wingtip devices to improve the aircraft's overall fuel efficiency.

https://www.janes.com/article/82627/indonesia-develops-gunship-variant-of-cn-235-aircraft

[Sparkplug]

Airbus showcases armed ISR variant of C295

Janes

[Harald]

USAF to declare IOC for AC-130J this month

The commander of U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command disclosed that the service will declare Initial Operating Capability for its newest gunship – AC-130J – later this month.

But the aircraft will not be going into combat anytime soon as the command is lagging behind in training operators for the new variant. Lt. Gen. Marshall Webb says two more years are required before sending it to combat.

http://alert5.com/2017/09/21/usaf-to-declare-ioc-for-ac-130j-this-month/

Air Force's Newest Gunship, AC-130J Ghostrider, Is Almost Ready for Combat
https://www.dodbuzz.com/2017/09/20/ac-130j-ghostrider-almost-ready-combat/

Algemene info :
http://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/467756/ac-130j-ghostrider/

[Ace1]

[Harald]

Flight Tests for Laser-Equipped AC-130 Expected in FY18

Air Force Special Operations Command is "months to maybe a year out" from flight testing a directed energy weapon aboard an AC-130 gunship, its leader said March 3.

Feedback from initial tests of the capability at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, have allowed the command move forward with a proof of concept phase, said Lt. Gen. Marshall "Brad" Webb at the Air Force Association's annual Air Warfare Symposium.

The White Sands tests showed that a low kilowatt laser could be controlled and aimed. Next, "We will take the next step of upping the kilowattage and go from there," he said.

Special Operation Command's program executive office fixed wing has been working to outfit an AC-130J Ghostrider with a laser. Its stated goal is to equip an aircraft with a directed energy weapon by the end of the decade. SOCOM officials have previously discussed the possibility of outfitting an AH-64 Apache helicopter with a laser weapon, and analysts have noted it could also potentially be mounted on an MH-60 Black Hawk.

The command continues to perform tests to see where it could place a laser weapon on the gunship, Webb said.

"There are multiple options that we got to play out," he said. The possibility of placing the weapon in a gunport, or having it support the existing gunships, are options the service is exploring, he added.

"That's what we want to get to: Where does it make sense? What mix of weapons could you go with or should it go with?" he said.

But the command remains short on funding, Webb said.

"We have funding to do the first steps. Over the course of what we want to do with the program, we're still short money-wise, but I am confident ... we'll be able to get more funding," he said, adding that should the command receive more funding in fiscal year 2018, it could possibly go toward directed energy investments.

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/181687/usaf-to-flight_test-laser-gun-on-ac_130j-next-year.html

extra info:
http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/blog/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=2430

[Harald]

In Less Than a Year, U.S. Air Force Gunships Flew Nearly 4,000 Hours in Combat

Deadly planes flew secretive missions around the world

When the U.S. Air Force talks about combat power, it usually focuses on fast-flying F-15 and F-16 fighter bombers, hard-hitting A-10 ground attackers and B-1 and B-52 heavy bombers. Less well publicized are the contributions of a fleet of deadly AC-130 gunships.

Since the heavily armed AC-130s often fly secretive missions working with commandos on the ground, the Air Force doesn't generally go into specifics about their activities. But the specialized planes are major contributors to operations around the world.

Between November 2013 and June 2014, AC-130U Spooky IIs from the 4th Special Operations Squadron flew a combined total of almost 4,000 hours in combat, according to one Air Force history. Altogether, seven of the specialized planes spent over 1,175 days deployed overseas.

..../....

https://warisboring.com/in-less-than-a-year-u-s-air-force-gunships-flew-nearly-4-000-hours-in-combat-6b6b91da207c#.2dsnry91o

[Sparkplug]

Collaboration on weaponised C295W gathers pace

Charles Forrester, London - IHS Jane's Defence Industry - 20 October 2016


Airbus Defence and Space is in the process of creating a gunship variant of its C295W transport aircraft. Source: Airbus

Spanish company Expal announced on 18 October that it had signed an agreement with Airbus Defence and Space that will see the company provide engineering support for munitions to be mounted on an Airbus C295W.

Expal said that they would be providing support "for the integration of standard weapons such as 70 mm rockets, as well as the Mk 80 series of bombs".

The announcement from Expal comes after Spanish manufacturer Escribano Mechanical & Engineering said in September that it had signed an agreement with Airbus Defence and Space on the integration of a door-mounted gun system, with in-flight test firing of the weapons system expected in coming months.

Additionally, Airbus Defence and Space signed an agreement at the Farnborough International Air Show in July with Turkish firm Rocketsan, covering the integration of the Cirit 70 mm air-to-surface semi-active laser-guided missile, the UMTAS long-range laser-guided anti-tank missile, and the Teber laser-guided bomb.

The Royal Jordanian Air Force signed a contract in June 2014 with Airbus and Orbital ATK to convert one of its C295 fleet into a gunship configuration, following the country's conversion of two C235 aircraft into AC-235 gunships.

According to information provided by Airbus at the time, the Jordanian C295 gunships are to feature an integrated mission and fire control systems, electro-optical and radar sensors, AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, an Orbital ATK side-mounted M230 30 mm chain gun, an integrated defensive suite, and 70 mm guided rockets.

IHS Jane's understands that the agreements signed with Expal, Escribano, and Rocketsan are part of a programme that is being pursued independently of the Jordanian project, which is still underway.

Want to read more? For analysis on this article and access to all our insight content, please enquire about our subscription options　ihs.com/contact

To read the full article, Client Login
(291 of 431 words)

http://www.janes.com/article/64767/collaboration-on-weaponised-c295w-gathers-pace