Here is a good news for USMC (note: Copy righted material, fair use only!)
Marine Corps eyes KC-130J gunship upgrade project
Gareth Jennings
The US Marine Corps (USMC) is to modify a number of its baseline Lockheed Martin KC-130J aerial-refuelling (AAR) aircraft to give them a gunship capability similar to that of the AC-130 Spooky and Spectres in service with the US Air Force ( USAF), the company confirmed to Jane’s on 2 April.
The programme, which is known as Harvest Hawk, is not yet under contract and Lockheed Martin is unable to provide information pertaining to contract value, programme timeframe or numbers of aircraft involved.
A company spokesperson was, however, able to confirm some of the proposed aircraft’s weapon and sensor fits as well as its planned-for roles and capabilities.
According to the spokesperson, the Harvest Hawk will be equipped with a modular weapons and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) fit. The weapons fit will probably comprise a Mk44 Bushmaster II 30 mm cannon (as on the AC-130U); underwing mounted AGM-114 Hellfire laser-guided air-to-surface missiles; and a stand-off weapon of some kind, with the ISR and targeting system likely to be either the Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control AN/AAQ-30 Target Sight System (TSS) or the L-3 Wescam MX-15D (AN/AAQ-35).
The gunship and ISR capability of the Harvest Hawk comes as a result of an urgent operational requirement from USMC forces in Afghanistan for the greater delivery of aerial firepower. In addition, the modernised aircraft will also be used for airdrop and rapid ground refuelling (RGR) duties although Jane’s understands that the increase in the scope of the KC-130J’s capability will not come at the expense of the type’s primary AAR role.
Although not able to give an exact date, the Lockheed Martin spokesperson told Jane’s that the company expects to receive a formal contract sometime in 2009 with the aim of fielding the Harvest Hawk by the end the year.
Janes Defense Weekly
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April 3, 2009 at 6:48 pm