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Orbital ATK AC-235

2019 MODERN AIRCRAFT

History

Due to the rise of "unconventional warfare", the world's aviation services are increasingly interested in procuring affordable light attack/air support (CAS) and ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) platforms. The Orbital ATK AC-235 fills that role and is touted for its rugged qualities and flexibility on the battlefield.

Orbital ATK is a 2015 spin-off of the merger of Orbital Sciences Corporation and Alliant Techsystems, with a focus on aerospace and defense.

The AC-235 is a joint development between Orbital ATK and the Jordanian state. The company also has experience developing the MC-27J Praetorian, an attack helicopter based on the Italian Alenia C-27J tactical transport aircraft.

The AC-235 is classified as a "light gunship" (the AC-295 is a medium variant) and is similar in form and function to the Lockheed AC-130 on the battlefield. Like the AC-130, the AC-235 is built on the framework of an existing fixed-wing platform, the Spanish CASA (Airbus Military) CN-235 transport aircraft. Orbital ATK provides its mission systems (two-color display, fire control system) as well as EO/IR sensors with laser designation capabilities, synthetic aperture radar and full countermeasure customization. The cockpit has a full tactical display layout, protected data link, night vision goggle support and armor protection (the latter for low altitude survivability). Weapon pylons are mounted on the side of the fuselage and can be used to carry AGM-114 Hellfire surface-to-air missiles and 70mm multi-shot missile pods.

A 30mm M230LF automatic cannon was mounted in the hull for lateral fire on ground targets below. The weapon is fully trainable on its mount for additional tactical flexibility.

The AC-235 retains the basic design layout of the C-235 tugboat: it has an elevated monoplane wing layout with the wings positioned amidships. This provides the aircraft with good short-field qualities and protects the struts from damage and danger to people on the ground.

Each wing has an engine nacelle that drives a four-bladed propeller assembly. As usual, the cockpit is arranged facing the nose and the stern is raised. The crew station and handling systems are located within the fuselage, allowing for some customization. At the rear is a wide-range vertical fin with a low-mounted horizontal fin.

The chassis is a tricycle arrangement.