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Orbital ATK AC-235


Light-class Fixed-Wing Gunship [ 2019 ]



The Orbital ATK AC-235 is a gunship variant of the CASA-Airbus Military C-235 tactical transport platform.



Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 07/12/2018 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

GO TO SPECIFICATIONS [+]
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Due to the rise in "irregular warfare" there has been a growing interest by air services of the world in procuring affordable light-attack / Close-Air support (CAS) and ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) platforms. The Orbital ATK AC-235 fulfills this role and is being touted for its robust qualities and over-battlefield flexibility. Orbital ATK is the 2015 offshoot of the merger between Orbital Sciences Corporation and Alliant Techsystems centering on the aerospace and defense sector.

The AC-235 was a joint-development between Orbital ATK and the nation of Jordan. The company also holds experience in development of the MC-27J Praetorian, a gunship based off of the Italian Alenia C-27J tactical transport.

The AC-235 is categorized as a "light gunship" (the AC-295 being the medium-sized derivative) and is similar in battlefield form and function to the Lockheed AC-130. Like the AC-130, the AC-235 is built upon the framework of an existing fixed-wing platform, namely the Spanish CASA (Airbus Military) CN-235 transport. Orbital ATK offers its mission system (dual-color displays, Fire Control System) coupled with an EO/IR sensor with laser designation capability, synthetic aperture radar and a complete countermeasures fit. The cockpit sports a complete tactical display arrangement, protected data links, night vision equipment support, and armor protection (the latter for low altitude survivability). Weapons pylons are added to the sides of the fuselage and are cleared to carry AGM-114 "Hellfire" surface-to-air missiles as well as 70mm multi-shot rocket pods. A 30mm M230LF automatic cannon is seated within the fuselage to fire out of the side at ground targets below. The gun is fully trainable atop its mounting for added tactical flexibility.

The AC-235 retains the basic design arrangement of the C-235 hauler: It showcases a high-mounted monoplane wing arrangement with the wings set at midships. This provides the aircraft with good short-field qualities and clears the prop from damage and endangering ground personnel. Each wing has a single engine nacelle driving a four-bladed propeller unit. The cockpit is set overlooking the nose in the usual way and the tail is elevated. Within the fuselage are crew stations and processing systems while offering some customizing. Atop the aft section is a single, high-reaching vertical fin with low-mounted tailplanes. The undercarriage is a tricycle arrangement.©MilitaryFactory.com
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.
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Specifications



Service Year
2019

Origin
United States national flag graphic
United States

Status
IN-DEVELOPMENT
Program in Progress.
Crew
8

Production
0
UNITS


Orbital ATK - United States / Jordan
(View other Aviaton-Related Manufacturers)
National flag of Jordan Jordan
(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
Ground Attack (Bombing, Strafing)
Ability to conduct aerial bombing of ground targets by way of (but not limited to) guns, bombs, missiles, rockets, and the like.
Close-Air Support (CAS)
Developed to operate in close proximity to active ground elements by way of a broad array of air-to-ground ordnance and munitions options.
Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR), Scout
Surveil ground targets / target areas to assess environmental threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.


Length
70.5 ft
(21.50 m)
Width/Span
84.6 ft
(25.80 m)
Height
17.0 ft
(5.18 m)
Empty Wgt
22,046 lb
(10,000 kg)
MTOW
35,274 lb
(16,000 kg)
Wgt Diff
+13,228 lb
(+6,000 kg)
(Showcased structural values pertain to the base Orbital ATK AC-235 production variant)
Installed: 2 x General Electric CT7-9C3 turboprop engines developing 1,750 shaft horsepower each.
Max Speed
280 mph
(450 kph | 243 kts)
Ceiling
24,606 ft
(7,500 m | 5 mi)
Range
3,107 mi
(5,000 km | 9,260 nm)
Rate-of-Climb
1,750 ft/min
(533 m/min)


♦ MACH Regime (Sonic)
Sub
Trans
Super
Hyper
HiHyper
ReEntry
RANGES (MPH) Subsonic: <614mph | Transonic: 614-921 | Supersonic: 921-3836 | Hypersonic: 3836-7673 | Hi-Hypersonic: 7673-19180 | Reentry: >19030


(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the base Orbital ATK AC-235 production variant. Performance specifications showcased above are subject to environmental factors as well as aircraft configuration. Estimates are made when Real Data not available. Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database or View aircraft by powerplant type)
1 x 30mm M230LF autocannon in side-firing trainable mounting.

OPTIONAL:
AGM-114 "Hellfire" air-to-surface missiles and 70mm multi-shot rocket pods supported on side-mounted wing stubs.


Supported Types


Graphical image of an aircraft automatic cannon
Graphical image of an aircraft air-to-surface missile
Graphical image of aircraft aerial rockets
Graphical image of an aircraft rocket pod


(Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above)
Hardpoint Mountings: 4


AC-235 - Base Series Designation


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Images Gallery



1 / 4
Image of the Orbital ATK AC-235
Image from official Orbital ATK marketing material.
2 / 4
Image of the Orbital ATK AC-235
Image from official Orbital ATK marketing material.
3 / 4
Image of the Orbital ATK AC-235
Image from official Orbital ATK marketing material.
4 / 4
Image of the Orbital ATK AC-235
Image from official Orbital ATK marketing material.


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