Alenia Delivers First Maritime Patrol ATR-42 (June 11)
PESCARA, Italy---Alenia Aerospazio today delivered the first ATR 42 Maritime Patrol aircraft, known as the "Manta 10-01", to the Port Authority's Coastguard. The aircraft is fully fitted out in operational configuration for maritime search and patrol.
The delivery was made at the offices of the 3rd Coastguard Airborne Division in Pescara upon conclusion of a series of operational tests.
The aircraft delivered today is the first of two ATR 42 MP ordered by the Coastguard. The second aircraft will be delivered in 2003 and this will considerably increase the operational capabilities of the Port Authority's airborne division.
The ATR42 MP is an extremely innovative aircraft developed from the ATR42-400 regional transport aircraft and it is able to carry out a wide range of missions.
The "Manta 10-01" will be mainly used by the 3rd Coastguard Airborne Division in Pescara for Search and Rescue operations, maritime patrolling, search and identification of surface ships, marine pollution surveys, protection of marine environment and, in general, for the control of activities at sea and along the coast.
Thanks to its modular design, the ATR 42 MP may carry out other duties in the event of an emergency, such as humanitarian and transport missions, thus providing a wide range of operational capabilities.
The ATR42 MP obtained civil aircraft certification in October 1999 and military aircraft certification in February 2000.
Alenia Aerospazio, which has been responsible for the entire programme, developed and designed the integration and installation (structural and system design) of the aircraft's various systems and equipment. As a result of structural modifications with low maintenance and operational costs, it is possible to quickly set up configurations suitable for the various missions by using the kits provided with the aircraft.
Other Italian companies have participated in the programme, including Aeronavali (structural modifications), Alenia Difesa (mission system), Elmer (radio), OMA (search masts and pods).
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The First ATR 42 MP Aircraft Delivered to the Italian Coastguard
