Jordan's King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB)
Awards Contract To ATK
Two of Jordan's CASA-235 transport aircraft are to be modified
into into highly-capable and cost-effective special mission
aircraft under a contract awarded by the King Abdullah II Design
and Development Bureau (KADDB) of the Kingdom of Jordan to ATK
according to the combined modification designs of both KADDB and
ATK. Subject to U.S. government export licensing approval, the
modified aircraft are expected to be delivered by the late spring
of 2013. Terms of the contract were not announced.
CN235 File Photo
ATK's special mission aircraft offerings integrate intelligence,
surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) sensors, fire control
equipment, and a LW30mm link-fed gun system. These capabilities are
controlled by ATK's STAR Mission System which provides both day and
night reconnaissance and fire control capabilities, and the ability
to acquire, monitor and track items of interest. The CASA-235
gunship provides customers an enhanced capability to conduct
responsive defense, counterinsurgency, and border surveillance and
security missions.
"Weaponized aircraft is an emerging international opportunity
specifically tailored for ATK's unique capabilities," said 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."
"Since its inception, KADDB has established itself as the
preferred global partner in the Middle East for the defence
industry, initially in land systems, and most recently in aircraft
modification. KADDB is well situated and experienced with all the
required technical knowledge and infrastructure to move into this
field," said "Shadi Ramzi" Majali, KADDB Chairman and CEO. "We are
proud to embark with our well recognized and esteemed partner ATK
to modify aircraft for the Jordan Armed Forces and the MENA region,
and look forward to establishing this capability in Jordan." "We
are pleased to partner with the King Abdullah II Design and
Development Bureau of Jordan to develop and enhance the military
aircraft capability for the Jordan Armed Forces," said Robert
Faille, ATK Director of International Business Development for the
Middle East & Africa region. For the KADDB on behalf of the
Jordan Armed Forces, ATK will install and integrate electro-optical
targeting systems, a laser designator, aircraft self-protection
equipment, and an armaments capability that includes Hellfire
laser-guided missiles, 2.75-inch rockets, and a M230 link-fed 30mm
chain gun. ATK's M230 family of guns serves on the Apache
helicopter. 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.
Although the light gunship represents KADDB's first endeavor in
aircraft modification, it lays the foundation for further potential
growth with experienced partners to accommodate Jordan and the MENA
region's requirements. The light gunship capability package is the
latest addition to ATK's Special Mission Aircraft product
portfolio, which provides affordable, responsive and advanced
capabilities to customer-preferred platforms. ATK's expertise
includes outfitting various aircraft -- including Cessna Caravans,
Lockheed Martin C-130s, Bombardier Dash-8s, Hawker Beechcraft King
Airs and others -- with integrated intelligence, surveillance and
reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.
ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (04.16.24)
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