CASA/IPTN CN-235

CN-235
A CASA CN-235M-100 of the Spanish Air Force
Role Transport aircraft/maritime patrol aircraft
Manufacturer CASA/IPTN
First flight 11 November 1983
Introduction 1 March 1988
Status Active service
Primary users Spanish Air Force
Turkish Air Force
Indonesian Air Force
Royal Malaysian Air Force
Produced 1983–present
Number built 273[1]
Variants EADS CASA HC-144 Ocean Sentry
Developed into EADS CASA C-295

The CASA/IPTN CN-235 is a medium-range twin-engined transport plane that was jointly developed by CASA of Spain and Indonesian manufacturer IPTN, as a regional airliner and military transport. Its primary military roles include maritime patrol, surveillance, and air transport. Its largest user is Turkey which has 50 aircraft.[2]

Design and development

The project was a joint venture between Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA (CASA) and Indonesian Aerospace (PT. Dirgantara Indonesia), formerly known as IPTN, which formed Airtech to manage the programme. The partnership applied only to the Series 10 and Series 100/110, with later versions being developed independently. Over 230 of all versions of CN-235 are in service and have accumulated more than 500,000 flight hours.

Design began in January 1980 with first flight on 11 November 1983. Spanish and Indonesian certification was on 20 June 1986; the first flight of the production aircraft was on 19 August 1986 and FAA type approval was granted on 3 December 1986. The aircraft entered service on 1 March 1988

In 1995, CASA launched development of a stretched CN-235 as the C-295. In December 2002, the Colombian Navy ordered two CN-235 for patrol and anti-drug trafficking missions.

In April 2005, Venezuela ordered two CN-235 maritime surveillance aircraft plus 10 transport planes but the operation was halted because the United States government refused to allow the transfer of what they deemed to be US technology in the avionics.[3]

In January 2006, Thailand placed an order with Indonesian Aerospace for ten aircraft, six for the Ministry of Defence and four for the Ministry of Agriculture.

In December 2007, Spain ordered two CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft for the Guardia Civil, for delivery 2008–2009.

One CN-235 MPA aircraft was delivered by Indonesian Aerospace to the Indonesian defence ministry in June 2008.

In August 2006, three CASA CN-235-10 aircraft remained in airline service, in Africa, with Safair (two) and Tiko Air (one).[4] Asian Spirit operated a lone CN-235-220 in the Philippines, correct as of June/July 2007.

The Irish Air Corps operates two CASA aircraft for maritime patrol duty.

There are at least two CN-235s flying with the United States Air Force for an undisclosed role with the 427th Special Operations Squadron, located at the former Pope AFB, North Carolina.[5]

In early July 2008, the Mexican Navy announced that it would purchase six CASA CN-235s from Spain.[6] In April 2010, Hervé Morin, French Minister of Defence, announced the order of eight CN-235-300s from Spain.[7]

In 2011, Indonesian Aerospace was still working on 4 CN-235-110 MPAs for South Korea Coast Guard with amount of $96 million.[8]

The Senegalese Air Force acquired two CN-235s in 2010 and August 2012 under a $13 million contract. They plan to buy two more aircraft for VIP and cargo duties. The Air Force is also interested in the maritime patrol version of the aircraft.[9]

The CN-235 as a commercial airliner

Presidential Airways CN-235, formerly belonging to Binter Mediterráneo

Although the CN-235 was designed for military purposes in the 1980s, it began to be used as a commercial plane, although it wasn't a very big success for airlines. Possibly its lack of success was due to its 50 passenger capacity and short range coupled with high fuel usage. Iberia LAE, Spain's flag carrier, bought four CN-235s from CASA aircraft for regional routes but in 1992 Aerolíneas Argentinas (then also a subsidiary of Iberia) ordered two of these aircraft for regional routes - to be operated by its subsidiary, Austral.

Variants

A CASA CN-235 of the Spanish Air Force
CN-235-10
Initial production version (15 built by each company), with GE CT7-7A engines.
CN-235-100/110
Generally as series 10, but with GE CT7-9C engines in new composites nacelles; replaced Series 10 in 1988 from 31st production aircraft. Series 100 is Spanish-built, series 110 Indonesian-built, with improved electrical, warning and environmental systems.
CN-235-200/220
Improved version. Structural reinforcements to cater for higher operating weights, aerodynamic improvements to wing leading-edges and rudder, reduced field length requirements and much-increased range with maximum payload. Series 200 is Spanish-built, Series 220 Indonesian-built.
CN-235-300
CASA Modification of 200/220 series, with the Honeywell International Corp. avionics suite. Other features include improved pressurisation and provision for optional twin-nosewheel installation.
CN-235-330 Phoenix
Modification of Series 200/220, offered by IPTN with new Honeywell avionics, ARL-2002 EW system and 16.800 kg/37.037 lb MTOW, to Royal Australian Air Force to meet Project Air 5190 tactical airlift requirement, but was forced by financial constraints to withdraw in 1998.[10]
CN-235 MPA
Maritime patrol version with 6 hardpoints to carry AM-39 Exocet-Missiles or Mk.46-Torpedos.[11]
HC-144 Ocean Sentry
United States Coast Guard designation for a planned twenty-two[12] aircraft fleet bought to replace the small HU-25 Guardian business-style jets. As of 2010, twelve [13] had been delivered.

Operators

Military operators

CN-235 world operators:
  Military operators
  Only government operators
  Former operators
 Botswana
 Brunei
 Burkina Faso
 Cameroon
 Chile
 Colombia
 Ecuador
 France
 Gabon
 Indonesia
Irish Air Corps CASA CN-235 Maritime patrol aircraft
 Ireland
 Jordan
 Malaysia
 Mexico
A RMAF's CN-235-100M
 Morocco
 Pakistan
 Papua New Guinea
 Republic of Korea
 Saudi Arabia
 Senegal
 Spain
 Thailand
 Turkey
 United Arab Emirates
 United States
US Coast Guard HC-144A Ocean Sentry

Former Military operators

 Austria
 Bophuthatswana
 Panama
 South Africa
 Yemen

Government and paramilitary operators

A CASA CN-235-300 MPA of the Spanish Maritime Safety Agency
Presidential Airways CN235
 Oman
 Spain
 Thailand

Civil Operators

Binter Mediterraneo CN-235.
 Argentina
 Indonesia
 Madagascar
 Namibia
 Spain
 South Africa
 United States
 Venezuela

Notable accidents

Aircraft on Display

Specifications (CN235)

Data from Airbus Military[48]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Related development


References

  1. Airbus Orders
  2. http://www.flightglobal.com/airspace/media/reports_pdf/world-air-forces-2013-101015.aspx
  3. the U.S. ambassador to Spain, Eduardo Aguirre, said that Washington could refuse to allow U.S. technology to be transferred to Venezuela, adding that "in the long run we hope the sale won't go ahead."
  4. Flight International, 3–9 October 2006
  5. USAF Serial Number Search CN-235
  6. http://blog.elgrancapitan.org/?p=586
  7. "Francia compra a EADS ocho aviones CN-135-300 por 250 millones de euros". Libertad Digital. 2010-04-04. Retrieved 2011-10-02.
  8. "RI seeks to exchange planes with South Korea". The Jakarta Post. 2011-05-20. Retrieved 2011-10-02.
  9. Senegal: MoD plans to acquire two additional CN235s, including MPA versions - Dmilt.com, 30 August 2013
  10. "Mengenang CN-235 Phoenix Project-Australia". June 12, 2013.
  11. CN-235 Persuader Maritime Patrol Aircraft – Airforce Technology
  12. "USCG: Acquisition Programs & Projects". US Coast Guard. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
  13. "USCG: HC-144A "Ocean Sentry" Maritime Patrol Aircraft". US Coast Guard Acquisitions Directorate. 2010-12-20. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
  14. Hoyle Flight International 11–17 December 2012, p. 46.
  15. 15.0 15.1 Hoyle Flight International 11–17 December 2012, p. 47.
  16. Hoyle, Craig (6 June 2012). "Cameroon signs deal for CN235 transport". Flightglobal. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  17. Airbus Military welcomes Cameroon as new operator.
  18. 18.0 18.1 Hoyle Flight International 11–17 December 2012, p. 48.
  19. 19.0 19.1 Hoyle Flight International 11–17 December 2012, p. 49.
  20. Hoyle Flight International 11–17 December 2012, p. 50.
  21. Hoyle Flight International 11–17 December 2012, p. 51.
  22. 22.0 22.1 Hoyle Flight International 11–17 December 2012, p. 52.
  23. "CASA CN235". Defence Forces Ireland. 2014. Retrieved 2014-08-25.
  24. 24.0 24.1 Hoyle Flight International 11–17 December 2012, p. 55.
  25. "Defence Security Report". Janes.com. 2008-12-03. Retrieved 2011-10-02.
  26. http://www.semar.gob.mx/transparencia/informes_labores/2_inf_labores.pdf
  27. Mexican Police Aviation
  28. John Pike. "Pakistan Air Force Equipment". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2011-10-02.
  29. Hoyle Flight International 11–17 December 2012, p. 57.
  30. 30.0 30.1 30.2 Jackson 2003, p. 207.
  31. 31.0 31.1 Hoyle Flight International 11–17 December 2012, p. 59.
  32. Hoyle Flight International 11–17 December 2012, p. 60.
  33. http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/turk/army/turk-arm_current_orbat.htm
  34. 34.0 34.1 Hoyle Flight International 11–17 December 2012, p. 61.
  35. Hoyle Flight International 11–17 December 2012, p. 63.
  36. Hoyle Flight International 11–17 December 2012, p. 64.
  37. http://spioenkop.blogspot.nl/2015/03/saudi-aircraft-pound-al-dailami-airbase.html
  38. http://bmpd.livejournal.com/1242708.html
  39. ASN Aircraft accident IPTN/CASA CN-235-10 PK-MNN Garut
  40. "ASN Aircraft accident IPTN_CASA CN-235M-100 097 Kayseri". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  41. 41.0 41.1 41.2 "Military cargo plane crashes, four die". Hürriyet Daily News. 2001-05-19. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  42. "ASN Aircraft accident IPTN_CASA CN-235M-100 086 Malatya". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  43. "ASN Aircraft accident IPTN_CASA CN-235MP-100M TCSG-552 Ankara-Etimesgut AFB". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  44. "Aircraft accidents photos – Binter Mediterraneo – Malaga, Spain – CASA 235-200". 1001 Crash. 2001-08-29. Retrieved 2011-10-02.
  45. Binter Méditerraneo Crashes at Málaga Airport
  46. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21408958
  47. http://saairforce.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4830
  48. http://www.airbusmilitary.com/Aircraft/CN235/CN235Spec.aspx

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to CASA CN 235.