2016-02-16 In 2013, Airbus Defence and Space announced the introduction of the C-295 W.
In a piece we published on 6/10/13, we highlighted the coming of the C-295W,
During the Airbus Military Trade Media Briefing 2013, held on May 29th and 30th 2013, Angel Barrio Cardaba Head of Engineering and Technology provided an overview on a number of technological developments at Airbus Military over the past year.
But the key system highlighted was the C295W.
According to Airbus Military:
Featuring winglets and uprated engines as standard, the new model will provide operators with enhanced performance in all flight phases but is particularly aimed at those operating at “hot and high“ airfields where payload increases in excess of 1,000kg are promised.
In intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) roles such as airborne early warning (AEW) the enhancements will increase endurance by 30-60min and permit an operating altitude up to 2,000ft higher than now.
The new features will also provide an overall reduction in fuel consumption of around 4% depending on configuration and conditions.
The C295W, assembled in Seville, Spain, is being offered to the market from now on and will be the standard version of the aircraft in all versions from the fourth quarter of 2014. Certification is expected in 2Q14.
Airbus Military is committing to the C295W following flight-trials with winglets fitted to its company development aircraft which showed positive results for a weight penalty of only around 90kg.
The engines are the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127 turboprops which power all versions of the C295. New procedures recently certified by Canada and Spain permit operation in the climb and cruise phases at higher power settings at the discretion of the operator. As well as improved hot and high performance, the procedure improves operation over very high terrain such as the Andes or Himalaya mountains with only a minor influence on maintenance cost.
Gulshan Luthra of India Strategic highlighted the importance of the C-295W for a market such as that of India.
Airbus Military has launched an uprated C295W medium transport aircraft with winglets and more powerful engines with an eye on the Indian military and civil aviation market.
In official briefings at the recent launch ceremony here, company officials mentioned India more that a dozen times in view of the impending replacement of 56 HS-748 transporters of the Indian Air Force (IAF) while Airbus Military Chairman and CEO Domingo Urena-Raso told India Strategic (www.indiastrategic.in) that he expected the number of selected aircraft in this category to be more than 100.
According to India Strategic’s own estimates though, the figure could touch or exceed 200, keeping in mind the growing requirements of the armed forces, paramilitary organizations like the Border Security Force (BSF) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), civil operations in India’s mountainous Himalayan states and even the secretive Aviation Research Centre (ARC) of India’s external intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).
Recently, Mali became the latest customer for the aircraft.
According to an Airbus Defence and Space press release dated 2/16/16:
Airbus Defence and Space has secured its first order in 2016 for the market-leading C295W transport and mission aircraft.
Mali becomes the 23rd nation to order the C295 with an order for one winglet-equipped C295W model, now the standard version, in transport configuration for the Mali Air Force. Delivery is due in the second half of this year.
Head of Marketing and Sales, Jean-Pierre Talamoni said: “This order from Mali reflects the C295W’s proven ability to handle the exceptionally harsh operating conditions encountered in sub-Saharan Africa.”
The company also announced that the Philippines Air Force took delivery of its third and final C-295 for its operational fleet,
The Philippines Air Force has taken delivery of the third and final Airbus C295 medium transport aircraft ordered from Airbus Defence and Space.
The aircraft was ferried from the final assembly line at Seville, Spain to Clark Air Base, Philippines.
In Philippines Air Force service the C295 will play a key role in the modernization of the force´s transport fleet and will undertake a wide variety of military and humanitarian missions.
The photo shows the first of the three aircraft.