Spanish company CASA has launched two new projects at Le Bourget, both of them evolutions of aircraft in the existing range.
Speaking at the show on Monday, CASA's chairman Raul Herranz announced that a stretched version of the CN235 will be produced - for delivery by the beginning of 2000. It will be named C-295 and offer a 50% increase in load-carrying capacity thanks to a 3m (9.8ft) fuselage extension.
Structurally, the C-295 will incorporate two main modifications. Six new frames will be inserted into the fuselage (three of them in front of the wing) increasing the cabin length to 12.69m (41.6ft)
The wing structure will also be reinforced to cope with the new operating weights including a maximum take-off weight of 23,380kg (51,500lb).
Fuel tanks will be increased in size, enabling the aircraft to carry an extra 2,380 litres (520gal) while three hard points designed to carry 300kg (660lb), 500kg (1,100lb) and 800kg (1,700lb) under each wing, will be incorporated.
The stretched fuselage will enable the transport to carry a maximum payload of 9,700kg (21,000lb) or 69 fully-equipped troops, three light vehicles or 27 stretcher cases plus four medical attendants.
Powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW-127G engines, the aircraft will also feature two Hamilton Standard RFC 568F 'new technology' six-bladed propellers of 3.93m (12.8ft) diameter.
CASA's other announcement centres on the new version of the C-212 (the -400), on static display here.
Increased performance
This new version of the popular C-212 features increased performance and a totally new cockpit. A 400kg (880lb) increase in the maximum zero fuel weight (MZFW) results in an almost identical rise in the maximum payload capacity.
Other improvements are the installation of a new version of Allied Signal's TPE-331-12JR-701C engine with higher take-off power than before and greater power outputs at higher temperatures. In this way, the payload/range of the aircraft is significantly improved with no structural changes needed.
Source: Flight Daily News
