Plate-forme EADS C295 MPA

Airbus reports it has successfully conducted the first torpedo launch from one of its C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA).

Airbus says the launch is a significant entry for it into the market of Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW) aircraft, currently dominated by veteran aircraft such as the P-3 Orion and the Atlantique.

In other C-295 news, the Chilean navy has received the first of its three C-295s. And Poland will deploy its C-295s to Afghanistan.

From Airbus:

The C295 MPA/ASW includes two under-wing pylons for the installation of torpedoes and
other external loads. It also incorporates a Store Management System (SMS), integrated with the Airbus Military Fully Integrated Tactical System (FITS), to control the deployment of sonobuoys for submarine detection and torpedoes.

The C295 MPA has a flight endurance of over 11 hours, and it is used for a wide variety of
missions: Search and Rescue (SAR), control of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), law
enforcement, marine pollution detection, as well as defence missions. The C295 platform, a multi-mission short / medium range tactical transport aircraft, offers high manoeuvrability and excellent qualities for low-altitude flying. In addition, it has been widely tested in all kinds of aerial deployments: launch of chains of SAR rafts, emergency equipment and parachutists.

To date, a total of 82 C295s have been sold to 12 operators, and nine countries have
contracted 47 CN235/C295s MPA, which demonstrates the capabilities and effectiveness of Airbus Military platforms for maritime patrol missions. Airbus Military has sold more than 800 C295/CN235/C212s to more than 120 costumers.[

On Friday, 30th April, the Chilean Navy received the first of three C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) that they ordered from Airbus Military in October 2007. The contract also includes five additional options.

The ceremony, presided by the Admiral Edmundo González Robles, Commander in Chief of the Navy, was celebrated at the air base “Viña del Mar” in the municipality of Concón (Chile) with the presence of the Commander of Naval Aviation, Rear-Admiral Cristián Davanzo, officers of the High Command, and Airbus Military’s Head of Commercial, Antonio Rodriguez Barberán....

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.
...

First #C295 FWSAR for Canada performs ground tests towards it's maiden flight in the coming weeks.
Robust and versatile, the C295 is the ideal platform for Canada’s search and rescue crews to overcome the dangerous weather and terrain challenges.https://t.co/0wf6UrsgRz pic.twitter.com/UBC8MEQd76

— Airbus Defence (@AirbusDefence) 22 mai 2019

Search Radar

• Multi-mode radar for detection, localisation, classification, and tracking of targets over water and land – all weather, day or night
  
  
• Maximum range of 200 nm, tracking 100+ surface targets while scanning
  
  
• Detects:
  
  

     - Ocean-going fishing vessels or merchant ships between 80-200 nm
     - Small craft or inflatable boats up to 35 nm
     - SAR mode provides the capability of distinguishing and recognising ground contacts
 
Electro-Optical/Infrared sensors

• Stabilized, high magnification imaging sensors greatly extend detection, recognition, and identification range
  
  
• Multi-spectral imaging (daylight, low light, and thermal) enables search operations under sub-optimal conditions, such as overcast, dusk, and even complete darkness
  
  
• Target geo-location eases handoff to ground personnel
  
  
• EO/IR sensors lend themselves to search automation
  
  
• Search operations are more efficient and economical, with better outcomes”
  
  

 
Automatic Identification System (AIS)

• Capability to identify and locate ships, aircraft, land bases and navigational aids equipped with AIS transponders
  
  
•  Fully Integrated Tactical System (FITS)
  
  
• Ship data provided: position, dimensions, destination, ship name, MMSI and call sign
  
  
• TX/RX text messages capability