EADS CASA C-295


The EADS CASA C-295 is a twin-turboprop tactical military transport aircraft, and is currently manufactured by Airbus Defence and Space in Spain.

Design and development

The C-295 is manufactured and assembled in the Airbus Military facilities in the San Pablo Airport, in Seville, Spain. It is a development of the Spanish–Indonesian transport aircraft CASA/IPTN CN-235, but with a stretched fuselage, 50% more payload capability and new Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127G turboprop engines.
CASA began development of the C-295 in November 1996, and the first prototype made its maiden flight on 28 November 1997. The first order for the C-295, from the Spanish Air Force for nine aircraft, was announced in April 1999. It was certificated as airworthy by the Spanish Dirección General de Aviación Civil and the American Federal Aviation Administration in December 1999. Deliveries to the Spanish Air Force began in November 2001.
In 2012, Airbus Military announced several enhancements to the base C-295 design, changes included the adoption of winglets and an ability to carry the Marte anti-ship missile; a dedicated airborne early warning and control variant was also planned. In November 2015, a C-295 successfully demonstrated a new self-protection suite, which incorporated elements such as directional infrared countermeasures from Elbit Systems and infrared passive airborne warning system. In January 2016, Airbus was in the process of developing a new probe-and-drogue aerial refuelling rig to be optionally installed in the centerline of the C295 for the aerial refuelling of combat helicopters. Initial 'dry' flight tests are scheduled later in the year. Airbus is also performing flap optimisations and other modifications upon the type for extremely short takeoff and landing capabilities.
The C-295's main competitor is the C-27J Spartan, manufactured initially by Alenia Aeronautica and Alenia Aermacchi and now by Leonardo S.p.A.. The C-295 was a major bidder for the US Army–US Air Force Joint Cargo Aircraft programme but lost to the L-3 Communications/Alenia team for the C-27J in June 2007. The C-295 was considered a higher risk by the Army due to its use of a new operational mode to meet altitude and range requirements. Among other contracts the C-295 lost to the C-27J are the Peruvian Air Force's Antonov An-32s' replacement and the Royal Australian Air Force's retired de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribous' replacement.

Variants

;C-295M
;CN-295
;C-295 MPA/Persuader
;C-295 AEW&C
;C-295 Firefighter
;CC-295 SAR
;C-295 SIGINT
;C-295W
;AC-295 Gunship
;KC-295

Operators

The C-295 is in service with the armed forces of 15 countries. As of 31 August 2015, 136 C295s have been ordered with 134 in service and two lost in accidents.