Nigeria's second of two Alenia Aeronautica ATR 42 maritime patrol aircraft has been accepted at the company's Turin Caselle facility.
Ordered in March 2007 for $73 million, the pair will be used primarily for exclusive economic zone monitoring tasks, to support the control of the nation's coastal and Niger Delta regions and for search and rescue missions.
Offering a maximum endurance of 9h with reserve fuel, the aircraft similar in configuration to the two ATR 42s operated by the Italian coastguard.
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© Alenia Aeronautica |
Selex Galileo provided the aircraft's airborne tactical observation and surveillance mission management systems, Gabbiano T200 surface search radars and EOST-45 electro-optical sensors.
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© Alenia Aeronautica |
Alenia Aeronautica performed structural and system modifications to the aircraft after receiving them from Toulouse, France. The company is also upgrading the Nigerian air force's G222 transports, and promoting its new C-27J Spartan, while sister company Alenia Aermacchi is modernising its MB-339A jet trainers.
Nigeria's first ATR 42 was delivered last December. Its second example will leave Italy soon for Benin City airbase carrying support equipment and spare parts.
Source: Flight International
