ARLINGTON, Va., Dec. 6 (UPI) -- U.S. defense company ATK reports it has conducted the first flight test of two CASA-235 cargo planes it converted into gunships for the Kingdom of Jordan.
The contract for the work was issued by Jordan's King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau but the company did not disclose its value.
"We are pleased that KADDB has selected ATK to provide this unprecedented capability to the Jordanian Armed Forces," said Bill Kasting, vice president and general manager of ATK's Defense Electronic Systems division. "This program will provide the Kingdom of Jordan with the first multi-mission gunship capability in the region.
"The start of the flight test is a major milestone achievement by the ATK and KADDB team."
The twin-turboprop CASA-235 has a cruise speed of 286 miles per hour, a range of 2,706 miles and a ceiling of 25,000 feet. It was first developed by CASA of Spain and an Indonesian aerospace company and is now produced by Airbus Military.
ATK said modifications to the aircraft include installation of an electro-optical targeting systems, a laser designator, aircraft self-protection equipment and a synthetic aperture radar. Weapon systems added include Hellfire laser-guided missiles, 2.75-inch rockets, and a side-mounted M230 link-fed 30mm chain gun.
