PAC upgrading Super Mushshak aircraft for counter-insurgency operations

Published May 19, 2017
PAC is fitting weapons onto its Super Mushshaks. ─ IHS Jane's 260
PAC is fitting weapons onto its Super Mushshaks. ─ IHS Jane's 260

Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) is upgrading its Super Mushshak training aircraft to make it compatible for counter-insurgency operations, Jane's 360 reported.

The plane, historically used as a training aircraft, has been integrated with a new glass cockpit and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities by fitting the aircraft with electro-optic/infrared sensor turrets and an L3 Wescam MX-10 surveillance device.

After initial aerodynamic and structural analysis, one Chinese-built precision-guided bomb was mounted under each wing of one of the aircraft earlier last month, as the next phase of the initiative seeks to arm the Super Mushshak.

Complete Integration will take another three to four months, which includes flight tests and drop tests.

The Super Mushshak is an advanced variant of the Mushshak basic trainer.

The aircraft is already in service with Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iran and South Africa. Nigeria bought the aircraft in early 2016 while Qatar bought the trainers in June 2016. The latest buyer of 52 Mushshak planes is Turkey.

Basic flight training is provided on the aircraft for aspiring pilots.

The aircraft has a service ceiling of 22,000 feet, and a maximum speed of 268km/h. Range of the aircraft is reported at 814 kilometres.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.