Airbus Defence and Space (DS) has showcased a new variant of its new C295 transport aircraft that has been equipped for the armed intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) mission with Rheinmetall’s BK 27 autocannon provides a heavier door-mounted option, targeted by Escribano’s Door Gun System. The platform, which was being displayed at the Dubai Airshow, was shown alongside a representative fitment of air-to-surface weaponry provided by Roketsan of Turkey; Expal, Escribano and Equipaer of Spain; Rheinmetall of Germany; and Nobles Worldwide and US Ordnance from the United States.
According to Airbus DS, an undisclosed number of aircraft have already been delivered to an unidentified customer, fitted with two paratroop-door-mounted 12.7 mm machine guns provided by Nobles Worldwide and US Ordnance. The next weapon to undergo airborne carriage trials is planned to be Roketsan’s L-UMTAS anti-tank missile. Roketsan is also providing the Cirit laser-guided missile and Teber-82 laser bomb-guidance kit.
