Pretorian guard go on the offensive

摘要

An Alenia Aermacchi/ATK team will modify six Italian air force transports into MC-27J Pretorian gunships and command and control aircraft, opening the export market for large armed cargo aircraft for the first time. The Alenia/ATK team will deliver the first of the six aircraft in the second quarter of 2014. The order also includes three modification kits, allowing the air force to use at least half of the fleet in their original role as transports. "This one has been a dream from an operational point of view," says Lt Gen Pasquale Preziosa, chief of staff of the Italian air force.