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U.S. tour to demonstrate the capabilities of EADS CASA’s C-295 military transport for the United States Army
Washington, D.C., January 03, 2003
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A ten-day North American tour of EADS CASA’s C-295 military transport will provide hands-on demonstrations of the multi-role aircraft’s capabilities for the U.S. Army Aviation Command.
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The demonstrations are using a C-295 that is in regular service with the Spanish Air Force, allowing the U.S. Army to evaluate an aircraft type that provides daily operations for the Spanish military – including upcoming support missions in Iraq.
“The C-295 is well suited for modernizing the U.S. Army Aviation fleet of medium-sized fixed-wing cargo aircraft, as well as complementing airlift support provided by the military service’s Chinook helicopters,” said EADS North America Chairman Ralph Crosby. “It is an extremely efficient and capable aircraft, and we want to give the U.S. Army a first-hand look at this multi-role transport.”
During its North American tour, the C-295 is to be displayed at the 2003 Operational Support Airlift Agency (OSAA) Fixed Wing Conference in Little Rock, Arkansas, and will be presented to the U.S. Army Aviation Center at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama; the U.S. Southern Command and the U.S. Special Operations Forces Command in Florida, as well as the U.S. Army Special Operational Forces in North Carolina.
“The C-295 is a straightforward, low risk, high-value solution, and our signature large rear ramp significantly enhances its operational capabilities,” said Jose Morales, President & CEO of EADS CASA North America. “EADS CASA offers a family solution to military airlift needs, ranging from the lighter-weight C-212 to the medium-class CN-235 and the C-295.”
As a flexible aircraft with the right size and weight, the C-295 matches the U.S. Army’s desire to become a more mobile force, Morales added.
With the longest passenger/cargo cabin in its class and low life-cycle costs, the C-295 offers the best value for medium-sized military airlifters. The C-295’s unobstructed 41-ft.-long cabin allows for up to 20,392 lb. of payload to be transported, providing the airlift capacity for 75 troops, or 50 fully equipped paratroops, or five 463-L pallets. Other payload possibilities include transporting three Land Rover-type vehicles or three jet engines for combat aircraft.
The C-295 incorporates features that are essential for military aircraft today, including a highly integrated avionics system, cockpit armor, self-protection systems (radar warning receiver, chaff and flares) and in-flight refueling probe.
Its landing gear footprint enables operations to be performed from unimproved runways, and the aircraft’s excellent performance provides for a tactical take-off run of 2,000 ft. Paratroops can be deployed through the two rear side doors or via the rear ramp – which also can be used for airdrop operations.
Spanish Air Force pilots accompanying the C-295 on its U.S. demonstration tour gave high marks to aircraft’s advanced technology, citing in particular the modern cockpit with LCD displays and full night vision goggle compatibility.
The C-295 has been selected by the air forces of Brazil, Jordan, Poland, Spain and Switzerland for military transport and support missions, while the United Arab Emirates Navy has chosen the aircraft for maritime patrol duties.
The C-295 is a follow-on to EADS CASA’s shorter-fuselage CN-235, which has been earned a worldwide reputation for reliability and supportability with the armed forces of 23 countries. Customers for the CN-235 include the U.S. Coast Guard, which will use it as a maritime patrol aircraft in the Integrated Coast Guard Deepwater System (ICGS/IDS) program.
EADS CASA North America – an operating entity of the EADS North America holding company – is organizing the C-295’s U.S. demonstration, with the cooperation of Spain’s Defense Ministry and the Spanish Embassy in Washington. EADS CASA North America is the representative organization of EADS CASA in Spain, where the C-295 is produced.
Contacts:
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DIANE MURPHY VP, COMMUNICATIONS AND PR EADS North America Washington, D.C. |
Tel: 202 292 5183 diane.murphy@eadsnorthamerica.com |
