In the 2013 the Experimental Department of the Italian Air Force has completed the homologation tests for the conversion into the light flying gunship of the well-known medium transport aircraft C 27J Spartan, in force in 12 unit, to 46 ° Aerobrigata. Three aircraft are operating from the 2015. Called MC 27J Praetorian, is equipped with an ATK cannon from 30 mm, positioned at the side loading door. The weapon, along with the ammunition and the control and direction of the shooting system, is placed on a removable pallet. Conversion from light transport aircraft to light flying gunship can be done relatively quickly (about two hours).
In the projects of the General Staff of the Air Force there is also the possibility to use the Praetorian as a CAS (Close Air Support) vector. In fact, at the bow of the aircraft there is the dome with a thermal chamber and laser system for the designation of targets, thanks to a rack positioned on the rear ramp, it is possible to drop bombs. Furthermore, the presence of two sub-wing pylons allows the transport of laser-guided missiles like the AGM-176 Griffin.
With the entry into service of the system Praetorian the Italian Air Force becomes the second air force in the world - and the first in Europe - to use flying gunboats (USAF has been using flying guns for decades, having started with DC-47 Dakota to get to the latest versions of the AC-130 (photo on the right and below).
The further evolution of the Spartan it can only increase the operational capacity of the national air force, providing an effective tool in countering the increasingly widespread threats in today's crisis scenarios.
However, the official site of the Air Force does not report any information about it, in fact the national defense policy has been committed for years to conceal any type of medium designed for the attack - even if it would represent a technological pride for the national industry - giving priority only the humanitarian and unarmed aspect.
Too often in Italy hunting interceptors like the Typhoon they are described as "surveillance aircraft" while bombers Tornado IDS preferably with the role of "reconnaissance".
It is also evident that, in this widespread pacifist orthodoxy, transport aircraft can only be presented as (unarmed) vehicles used only for the transport of humanitarian aid to the needy populations.
(photo: Leonardo / US Air Force)
