Julian Moxon/MADRID
CASA IS PLANNING developments to each of its military transports as part of a new strategy aimed at further strengthening its position in the sector.
A new version of the C.212, the C.212-400, has effectively been launched, equipped with electronic flight-instrumentation system improvements to the main cabin, and a re-rated Garrett TPE331-10 powe rplant.
The Spanish company's president Raul Herranz says that the company is also considering a "larger" version of the CN.235, the basic version of which was developed in partnership with Indonesia's IPTN. While he declines to reveal details, it is understood that the change centres on a fuselage stretch to accommodate a fourth pallet, which if it was for the larger of the two CN.235 pallet sizes, it would mean an increase in length of at least 3.18m.
The aircraft would be powered by new engines, chosen from either the Allison GMA2100 or Pratt & Whitney Canada PW150, and would require a strengthened wing, and larger rudder (to accommodate the increased one-engine-out requirement).
CASA, which trebled its profits in 1994, has recently refocused its strategy away from development of a new 70-seat high-speed turboprop, the CASA 3000, and towards its traditional niche in the small/medium military transport sector.
Herranz says that CASA "...remains the leader in the small/medium military transport market in terms of the numbers of aircraft sold worldwide". The company has sold its products to 60 countries, "which gives us a huge market base".
For the C.212, the aim is to maintain the continuing popularity of the type, for which 460 sales have been recorded since its introduction in 1974.
The CN.235 stretch is needed to adapt to the demand for a post cold-war transport to complement larger transports such as the Lockheed C-130 and European Future Large Aircraft in local theatres. Development is expected to be carried out, by CASA alone rather than with IPTN.
Source: Flight International
