Mike Martin
Money saved by not operating "expensive to run" Lockheed Martin C-130s could be invested in the CASA C-295 military transport for use in some operations, Juan de Ariarte, vice-president sales and marketing for CASA, said at the show.
The aircraft is here - for the first time, and as part of a tour of the region - and de Ariarte is confident the new model can win 30% of a market of more than 1,100.
"The C-295 responds to needs for lower cost of operation," he says. "The C-130 is very expensive to operate particularly when you need to use it with less than a maximum payload.
"We see the C-295 as a complement to the C-130. We recommend to our customers that they keep their C-130s and use the C-295 to complement it.
"The reduction in the operating cost of the C-130 allows you to purchase this aircraft."
At the end of Asian Aerospace the aircraft will visit Thailand and Malaysia.
A month ago, the Spanish air force signed a purchase agreement for nine C-295 aircraft and the related integrated logistics support. The nine aircraft will be operational before 2004.
The C-295 is pressurised for improved operations at 25,000ft (7,600m), has a maximum take-off weight of 23,200kg (51,000lb), a payload of 9.7t and a cargo volume of 57cu m in a 12.7m hold. The aircraft is equipped with Pratt & Whitney 127G engines.
First flight of the C-295 was in November 1997.
The programme reaffirms CASA's position as the leader in military transport in the European Aeronautic Defense and Space company (EADS), which is bringing together DaimlerChrysler Aerospace (Dasa), Aerospatiale Matra and CASA.
Source: Flight Daily News
