Airbus C295 gunship

[Slater]

Interesting. Historically, Europe hasn't followed the example of US-style gunships (AC-47, -119, -130 series). Perhaps this will find an export customer? 

 

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/airbus-trials-armed-c295-gunship-for-persistent-cas

[exdraken]

Didn't the UAE or Jordan  ready convert two of the CASAs?

 

Not sure howcost efficient these gunships really are if you are NOT in permanent low theat conflicts like the US...and need to soften up landing zones....

[Slater]

In the US experience, gunships can be definite lifesavers to Special Operations teams caught in a tough spot, or outposts surrounded by superior numbers of the enemy. Vietnam was probably the supreme example of that. Nowadays - not all that often.

[spruecutter96]

This seems like a fairly cheap, effective way to provide an air-force with a medium-level interdiction / strike platform. Of course, if it's used in a region where there's a real ground-to-air missile presence, then all bets are off....

 

Chris. 

[spruecutter96]

Thanks for the reply, Beermonster1958. 

 

I have read that the American Stinger missile quite often refused to launch in Afghanistan, much to the relief of Russian pilots, I'm sure. This was mainly due to the very low night-time temperatures in which they were transported and the subsequent forming of condensation in their mechanisms. The fact that the operators were only given very basic training in their use probably didn't help, either. 

 

Having said all that, the Stingers' presence was enough to force some radical changes in how the Soviets fought and flew, so they must have had some successes.  

 

Chris.