Iranian manufacturer and partners could sell derivative to countries such as India
Iran Aircraft Manufacturing (HESA) is drawing up plans to develop the IrAn-140T ramp-equipped tactical airlifter and IrAn-140MP maritime patrol versions of the regional airliner. HESA has been contracted by Tehran to develop the maritime variant, says managing director Abbas Fallah. An IrAn-140 passenger aircraft will serve as the IrAn-140MP demonstrator.
The IrAn-140MP is a derivative of the standard 52-seat An-140 passenger aircraft, which is being produced by HESA as the IrAn-140. The company has completed draft designs and sent the drawings to Antonov for approval at the end of 2004.
Five variants are being considered to fulfil search-and-rescue, sea surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, exclusive economic zone protection, law enforcement and ecological monitoring roles. The main version is intended to replace Lockheed Martin P-3B Orions in service with the Iranian armed forces.
The IrAn-140 can stay airborne for up to 6h. It will have two wing pylons for weapons without a provision for internal carriage. Mission equipment will include FLIR, search radar, electronic warfare systems, magnetic anomaly detector, microwave radio meter, decoys, and chaff and flare dispensers.
Two mission equipment sets are being considered - one of Russian-Ukrainian origin, the other from Thales. Fallah says the IrAn-140MP could be offered to India, Malaysia and others seeking low-cost long-endurance maritime patrol aircraft. HESA and Antonov have opened talks with Russian state arms vendor Rosoboronexport on equipping and jointly marketing the IrAn-140MP.
Aviacor, a Russian company that produces the An-140 under licence in Samara, says it is also involved in the negotiations and that it is willing to bid jointly with Rosoboronexport and Antonov, and possibly HESA, in India where a tender is expected to be released. Aviacor chairman Sergei Likharev says the manufacturer has won an order for one An-140 with a "similar kind of mission equipment" from Russia's federal security service for delivery this year.
The IrAn-140T, which has a 6t payload capability, is being developed by HESA's aeronautical design centre. It has a redesigned fuselage with a lowered cargo deck and large rear ramp enabling carriage of a towed howitzer and a wheeled towing vehicle.
Source: Flight International
