C295
Photo by: Keith Campbell
European military transport and multiple aircraft producer Airbus Military has confirmed that it is in the early stages of talks with South Africa about its C295 light/medium aircraft family.
"We've been talking with South Africa about the 295, for maritime surveillance and transport," Airbus Military light and medium aircraft programmes head Rafael Tentor told Engineering News Online in Seville, Spain, on Wednesday. "We have a campaign there, in its early stages, for both maritime surveillance and transport."
However, the company is not in any negotiations regarding South Africa's announced new VIP aircraft programme. "We know there is a requirement," he said.
Tentor also pointed out that his company was in constant contact with South African companies Aerosud and Denel Aerostructures because both were significant suppliers of components to the A400M airlifter and air-to-air refueling aircraft programme.
In a presentation to international aviation media at his company's San Pablo, Seville, plant on Wednesday, he said that "South Africa has bought our products in the past and we believe we have opportunities [there] in the future." Regarding South Africa's cancelled order for eight A400Ms, he remarked that "[that] book is closed, but the requirement remains. South Africa invested a lot in the A400M", and noted that Airbus Military had maintained its South African suppliers.
Also in his presentation, Tentor announced that his company is developing a new version of its highly successful C295 aircraft, the C295W. This version is fitted with winglets (hence the "W" suffix) and has engine enhancements, developed in cooperation with engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney.
The winglets add 90 kg in weight to the aircraft – 30 kg for each winglet and 30 kg for wing strengthening. The new version requires the strengthening of certain wing spars and thicker upper panels for the central and outer wings. In return, however, the aircraft gains significantly improved performance in taking off and landing at hot and high airfields, or greater range and endurance if operating from lower, cooler bases.
Flight trials of the prototype C295W concluded this month. The next steps in the programme are the detailed design of the production version, certification, industrialization and introduction into service. Marketing of the new version has started, certification flights should be completed by early next year with certification itself achieved during the second quarter. The C295W will become the standard production version of the aircraft from the fourth quarter of next year.
The new model will have the same build time as the current version. Customers will be able to specify whether they want the winglets fitted or not.
* Keith Campbell is attending the Airbus Military Trade Media Briefing 2013 in Seville as a guest of the company.