Irish Department of Defence orders two Airbus C295 aircraft.

Ireland’s Department of Defence has announced the acquisition of two Airbus C295 medium airlifters in a maritime surveillance configuration. With this new order, the Irish Air Corps will become the 33rd C295 operator worldwide.

C295 Irish Air Corps (Picture source: Airbus)

The C295 MPA is a multirole maritime patrol aircraft derived from the C295 military transport aircraft. It has been developed by Airbus Military, a unit of Airbus. Equipped with a new generation mission system, the aircraft can conduct a maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface warfare (ASuW) missions.

With this new order, the Irish Air Corps will become the 33rd C295 operator worldwide. Both aircraft will be equipped with the Fully Integrated Tactical System (FITS) and specific state-of-the-art mission sensors together with the recently announced Collins Aerospace Pro Line Fusion avionics.

The C295 is fitted with the Highly Integrated Avionics System (HIAS), an advanced integrated avionics system based on the Thales Topdeck Avionics suite. The flexible architecture concept and the use of dual technology civil/military equipment ensure success on demanding tactical missions, the growth potential for future equipment as well as compatibility with the latest civil airspace environment.

The aircraft is equipped with self-protection equipment including cockpit armour, a radar warning receiver (RWR), a missile approach warning system (MAWS) and a laser warning receiver (LWR).

The C295 MPA is powered by two PW127 turboprop engines driving Hamilton Sundstrand Type 568F-5 six-bladed propellers. Each propeller has a diameter of 3.9m. The engine provides a nominal take-off power of 2,645shp.

The C295 can fly at a maximum speed of 480km/h. The altitude during normal operations is 7,620m. The maximum takeoff weight is 23,200kg. The aircraft has an endurance of more than 11 hours and a maximum range of 5,630km.

Alberto Gutiérrez, Head of Military Aircraft at Airbus Defence and Space, said: “We are pleased to welcome the Irish Air Corps to our family of C295 operators, a signal of continued trust from an Air Force that already operates two Airbus CN235s.”