05 July 2010 -- Airbus Military’s anti-submarine warfare (ASW) version of the C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) has been certified by the Spanish authority INTA which is responsible for their certification and military airworthiness.
The aircraft is based on the C295, a military multi-role transport aircraft with proven capabilities for many military and civic missions to the benefit of society. These include many surveillance missions. With an autonomy enabling it to remain in the air for as much as 11 hours, a excellent manoeuvrability, digital avionics that are compatible with night-vision goggles (NVG), advanced self-protection systems, and numerous other features, the C295 is the most capable aircraft in its category.
The anti-submarine version of the C295 MPA is equipped with a tactical system proven during MPA/ASW missions, and underwing stations to carry weapons and other stores. It represents a modern, risk-free and much more efficient alternative to older generation veterans such as the P-3 Orion or the Bréguet Atlantique, while its operating and maintenance costs are significantly lower.
This important milestone further confirms Airbus Military’s capacity to integrate complex systems into its aircraft for any kind of military and civic use. It is also the first time in 30 years that a completely new Anti Submarine Warfare aircraft is developed and certified in Europe. The C295 MPA benefits from the experience accumulated with the CN235 MPA since 1994 on maritime patrol missions. Today Airbus Military holds 85 firm orders for the C295. Of these 63 have been delivered and have clocked up more than 80,000 flying hours in operations as varied as Afghanistan, Algeria, Brazil, Chad, Colombia, Finland, Haiti, Iraq, Mexico, and Poland.
Airbus Military
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