“The successful development, testing and delivery of the AC-235 gunships by the KADDB/ATK team led directly to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan announcing their intent to expand the gunship capability onto a larger aircraft platform,” said Bill Kasting, vice president and general manager of ATK's Defense Electronic Systems division. It now plans end the decade-long acquisition program at 30 aircraft. “We are extending the Kingdom’s investment in the AC-235 through the addition of new weapons and mission systems onto the larger C-295 platform to provide additional capabilities, more firepower and flexibility for the defense of the Kingdom,” said MG (Ret) Atef Tell, Chairman of KADDB. Special Operations Command originally planned to buy 37 AC-130J Ghostriders to replace three older gunships: the AC-130H Spectre, AC-130W Stinger II and AC-130U Spooky. New weapons added to the AC-295 will also be configured to work on the existing AC-235s for maximum mission flexibility. Afghan resistance forces, in conjunction with American Special Forces and supported by AC-130 gunships, have begun their push today. The longer airframe and larger engines allow extended mission times and additional capabilities. SOFEX 2014 Special Operations Forces Exhibition - ATK recently delivered two lightweight gunships based on the Airbus CN-235 transport aircraft to the Kingdom and was selected to provide a similar gunship based on the larger C-295 aircraft.
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