Orbital ATK has been awarded a contract to incorporate a gunship capability package into the Lebanese Air Force’s Cessna C-208B Caravan intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft.
Awarded by the US Department of Defense, the foreign military sale contract requires the company to add strike capability using the AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles.
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As part of the contract, Orbital will also provide contractor logistics support for one year.
Orbital ATK Defence Systems Group Defence Electronic Systems division vice-president and general manager Bill Kasting said: "Orbital ATK’s modified Caravan has a proven track record of reliability, affordability and versatility.
"To date, the operational readiness of Orbital ATK’s modified C-208 aircraft continues to be outstanding, and we have successfully supported international customers for more than four years since the initial fielding of the system."
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The gunship capability package is part of the company’s Special Mission Aircraft product portfolio, which offers affordable, responsive and advanced capabilities to customer-preferred platforms, including a roll-on, roll-off palletised approach.
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By GlobalDataIn particular, the solution provides low-cost and highly reliable networked observation and over-watch, border security and counterinsurgency capabilities, which require minimal amounts of personnel and facilities for operation and maintenance.
The company has already modified the Lebanese aircraft by incorporating electro-optical sensor, communications and aircraft self-protection equipment.
The C-208B Caravan is a militarised version of the Cessna 208 Caravan passenger and utility aircraft, and features a more powerful PT6A-114A engine, and electro optical sensors and defensive countermeasures.
The Lebanese Air Force currently operates three C-208B Caravans for close-air support, border surveillance and training, as well as counterinsurgency operations.
Image: A Cessna C-208B Caravan aircraft. Photo: courtesy of Ahunt.
