Avalon 2015: ATK sees increased Asia-Pacific interest in gunship conversions

Gareth Jennings, Melbourne - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
24 February 2015



ATK has received significant interest in its gunship and light attack aircraft conversions from a number of Asia-Pacific countries, a company official told IHS Jane's at the Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defence Exposition 2015.

Interest in ATK's tactical transport gunship conversions has been particularly strong from several regional countries, with capability discussions ongoing, said John Scheiner, vice-president for International Pacific-Rim.

"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 we have briefed about converting [into roll-on/roll-off gunships]; and we have briefed South Korea on gunship applications for the CN-235," he said yesterday (24 February).

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.

As noted by Scheiner, ATK is 'platform agnostic' and is available to perform such conversions on either existing aircraft in an operator's inventory or on newly acquired platforms. In addition to the AC-208, AC-235/295, and MC-27J conversions, the company is now in discussions with Lockheed Martin to weaponise its latest variant C-130J Hercules.

What makes such conversion so appealing, said Scheiner, is the multirole capability they provide the host aircraft. This is especially true for the Asia-Pacific region, where not too many countries can afford to field 'one-trick' niche platforms.

According to Scheiner, while discussions with regional countries are ongoing, contracts are not expected in the near-term. "We're currently in discussions on capabilities, and not that close to signing contracts," he said. "There is lots of interest, but they now need to get their funding in place."

IHS Janes