Aircraft
Adaptations Bring CN235/C295 Sales Rewards For Airbus
Airbus DS has enjoyed considerable success recently with its small military transports by offering them adapted for a wide range of roles.
Operators at work inside the Indonesia air force CN235 maritime patrol aircraft that was displayed at the Singapore Air Show. (Chris Pocock)
Operators at work inside the Indonesia air force CN235 maritime patrol aircraft that was displayed at the Singapore Air Show. (Chris Pocock)

More than 30 years after the first flight of the CN235/C295 series, the twin-engine transport is still selling well. Airbus Defence and Space (DS) has taken orders for more than 40 in the past two years, including from four new customers.

The larger C295 has been adapted for various new missions such as search and rescue, maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare (ASW). More applications are being developed: AEW (airborne early warning), firefighting; ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) including radar ground surveillance and SIGINT (signals intelligence); air-to-air refueling; electronic warfare; and VIP transport using roll-on roll-off kits.