Breaking news
Airbus successfully demonstrates C295W airborne tanker variant.
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World Aviation Defense & Security Industry News - Airbus DS
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Airbus successfully demonstrates C295W airborne tanker variant
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Airbus Defence and Space has successfully demonstrated the Airbus C295W medium transport as an airborne tanker. The C295W, equipped with a palletized air-to-air refuelling unit and associated computer control system, conducted multiple contacts with a standard Spanish Air Force C295 in a test flight on 29 September.
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 A Airbus C295W airborne tanker variant successfully performed aerial refuelling test flight(Credit: Airbus DS) |
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Both crews reported extremely smooth operation at various speeds as low as 110kt. The system is intended for refuelling turboprop aircraft, helicopters, and eventually unmanned aerial vehicles. Possible applications include special operations and extending the range of search and rescue aircraft. Further trials with a helicopter receiver are planned before the end of the year.
The Airbus Defence and Space C295 is a tactical airlifter able to carry up to nine tonnes of payload or up to 71 personnel, at a maximum cruise speed of 260 kt /480 km/h. Fitted with a retractable landing gear and a pressurised cabin, it can cruise at altitudes up to 25,000 ft, while retaining remarkable short take-off & landing (STOL) performance from unprepared short, soft and rough airstrips, as well as low level flight characteristics. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127G turboprop engines, the C295 provides an excellent manoeuvrability, outstanding hot and high performance, low fuel consumption and consequently a very long endurance of up to eleven hours in the air. The C295W is an enhanced performance version with winglets and uprated engines announced in 2013. |
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