Photo by S. Ramadier, courtesy of Airbus Defence and Space
The new armed intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance version of Airbus Defence and Space’s C295 made the trip to the Dubai Airshow, occurring now until Thursday. It’s on static display, flanked by a wide range of weapons which have been selected to be integrated onto the platform, Airbus said.
Part of Airbus Defence and Space’s family of light and medium airlifters, the new-generation C295 can be used for a variety of missions. Airbus said it features a flexible design with long endurance and modern systems. The C295 can perform personnel, troop and bulky/palletized cargo transportation, casualty evacuation, communication and logistic duties, and air dropping.
“The development of further applications for the C295, as well as our other aircraft, is a key element of our strategy for the future,” said Head of Military Aircraft Fernando Alonso.
Airbus said it has signed agreements with air-to-surface weapon suppliers. This paves the way for flight-trials, during which the firms will try to qualify their products to equip the C295. The company has arrangements with Roketsan of Turkey and Expal, Escribano and Equipaer of Spain, as well as Rheinmetall of Germany and the U.S. suppliers Nobles Worldwide and U.S. Ordnance.
An unnamed customer has already taken delivery of aircraft. The delivery included two 12.7-mm light machine guns and mounts, supplied by Nobles Worldwide and U.S. Ordnance, to be mounted in the paratroop side doors.
Roketsan’s L-UMTAS anti-tank missile is next on the list of planned airborne carriage trials. Roketsan is also providing the Cirit laser-guided missile and Teber-82 laser bomb-guidance kit.