Aircraft
Armed MC-27J Variant Makes Progress
Alenia Aermacchi displayed the MC-27J at the Paris Air Show and reported progress on integrating its armament. (Photo: Bill Carey)
Alenia Aermacchi displayed the MC-27J at the Paris Air Show and reported progress on integrating its armament. (Photo: Bill Carey)

Alenia Aermacchi and U.S. manufacturer ATK said they completed first-phase ground and flight tests of a multi-mission version of the C-27J airlifter equipped with a gun system pallet. At a Paris Air Show briefing last month, the companies displayed video from the test series from Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, this spring, showing a technician firing an ATK GAU-23 30mm cannon from the aft port side of the aircraft. “The test events were designed and certified by the U.S. Air Force and deemed successful by Air Force Special Operations Command,” they said.