Italy’s largest aerospace industry, Alenia Aeronautica, a Finmeccanica company, will participate at LIMA 2003 Air Show in Langkawi, Malaysia, from September 30th to October 5th.
The participation at LIMA is of particular importance for Alenia Aeronautica, due to several business opportunities open in the area. On show at the Finmeccanica Stand are models of its most prominent aircraft production: the tactical transport aircraft C-27J, and the maritime patrol ATR42 MP, a derivative of the successful twin turboprop ATR42 regional transport aircraft. Together with the ATR72 version, over 670 of these aircraft have been sold worldwide.
Currently, many Asian countries have shown interest in both products.
Particularly, the Air Force of Malaysia which has a requirement for six medium military transport aircraft, has evaluated with great interest the C-27J during a demonstration tour in the Far East. The aircraft proved its remarkable reliability and capability of adaptation to different operating theatres and once again showed its uncommon take-off and landing capabilities even in short and semi-prepared strips.
The C-27J has also been evaluated by the Air Force of Taiwan which has issued a requirement for the acquisition of medium military transport aircraft.
In addition, the Royal Thai Air Force, which acquired many years ago from Alenia Aeronautica six G222 medium airlift, has now decided to overhaul the aircraft fleet and to provide them with a specific logistic support.
As far as the ATR42 Maritime Patrol is concerned, the aircraft has aroused great interest in the Asian countries. In fact, many countries with long coastlines require maritime patrol operations such as narcotics control, anti-piracy, protection of territorial waters (fishing, mineral rights, etc.) and intervention following ecological disasters (oil spills, chemical pollution).
The ATR42 MP has been positively evaluated by the Indian Coast Guard which will issue within this year a request for proposal regarding two aircraft, and by Brunei which has a requirement for other three aircraft as well.
Alenia Aeronautica has also developed the ATR72 ASW, a new version based on the ATR72-500 aircraft to meet the growing demand for a medium range anti-submarine warfare aircraft at lower costs. The ATR 72 ASW integrates the ATR 42 Maritime Patrol Mission System with the same on-board equipment but with additional Anti Submarine Warfare capabilities.
In Turkey within the framework of the Meltem 3 program, the ATR72 ASW is now participating in the bid for an antisubmarine aircraft.
In a near future also the Malaysian Navy should have an interest for the ATR42 Maritime Patrol and for the ATR72 ASW aircraft.
The C-27J aircraft
The C-27J, jointly developed by Alenia Aeronautica and Lockheed Martin, combines the well-known reliability of the G222 with the modern avionics and the engines installed on the C-130J.
The rugged C-27J tactical airlifter provides a sure, steady, fast response for a wide range of missions, including humanitarian assistance, on all types of terrain. Carrying up to 22,000 pounds of troops, equipment or vehicles, the C-27J is the only military airlifter designed specifically for mid-sized missions and payloads, and is inter-operable with the C-130 Hercules.
The aircraft has been ordered so far by the Italian Air Force (12 units) as well as by the Greek Air Force (also 12 units); therefore a full production program has been already launched. Currently the C-27J is visiting six locations across the United States. This tour will provide the U.S. Army National Guard with an opportunity to take a close look at the C-27J. The Army National Guard has expressed great interest in the C-27J to meet its requirement for a new medium range fixed wing lift aircraft. During the six stops the C-27J is demonstrating its outstanding performance and tactical capabilities.
ATR42/MP Aircraft
The new Alenia Aeronautica ATR42 MP (Maritime Patrol) aircraft is considered the ultimate response to any maritime patrol requirement by many countries worldwide.
The ATR 42 MP is a new version of the aircraft specially developed for carrying out maritime patrol missions, sea rescue and surveillance. The primary roles are the typical Maritime Patrol missions (Maritime and Coast Surveillance, Vessels Search and Identification, Search and Rescue - SAR, Economic Exclusive Zone Enforcement, Pollution Detection), the secondary ones are the Transport Missions (Troop/Paratroop transport, Cargo Transport, Medical Evacuation, VIP/ Corporate/ Humanitarian Transport).
Alenia Aeronautica is also responsible for the system integration of the aircraft.
Two aircraft have already been purchased by the Italian Guardia di Finanza (Customs Police) and one more aircraft will be ordered soon. Two ATR42 MP have also been delivered to the Italian Coast Guard. All those four aircraft are fully operational and in regular service.
