First torpedo launched from C-295MPA

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.

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.

Source: Flightglobal - 8 May 2010

Photo: Airbus reports it has successfully conducted the first torpedo launch from one of its C-295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA).
Photograph by: Photo: Airbus Military

Xair Forces Aviation News

(19.02.2011)