Posted on 05/10/2010 7:46:48 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
Airbus Military successfully conducted the first torpedo launch from one of its C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA). This represents an important milestone in the development of the antisubmarine version of the C295 MPA. It is also a significant entry for Airbus Military into the market of Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW) aircraft, currently dominated by veteran aircraft such as the P-3 Orion and the Atlantique.
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.
With this new version, Airbus Military increases the capabilities offered by its surveillance aircraft family.
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 customers.
(Excerpt) Read more at defpro.com ...
First torpedo launched from Airbus Military C295 MPA aimed at Iceland Volcano
I'm sure there is a joke in here somewhere.
Someone please school me. How does the plane get a sonar fix on a submarine - sonobouys? Is the purpose of this to attack a submarine without having a surface ship approach the sub?
Either that or the enemy aircraft has to be flying a very steady pattern beneath them.
Probably sonobuoyies.
Ping
Yes...and yes.
The U.S. ought to look into it to replace our P-3s. The P-8 is years away and far more expensive. A platform like this, flying out of Guam and Okinawa, could close off the Eastern Pacific to China.
Click on pic for past Navair pings.
Post or FReepmail me if you wish to be enlisted in or discharged from the Navair Pinglist.
The only requirement for inclusion in the Navair Pinglist is an interest in Naval Aviation.
This is a medium to low volume pinglist.
Yes
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.