Airbus Defence & Space has identified Saudi Arabia as the customer for four C295Ws, with the medium transports to be operated by the nation's interior ministry.
“The C295W has been chosen based on its demonstrated excellent operational capabilities in hot and severe conditions, and its proven affordable maintenance and operational costs,” an Airbus spokesman said. The company gave no details about when the aircraft will be handed over.
The Royal Saudi Air Force currently operates four earlier-generation CN235s, with the transports having been produced in 1986 and 1987. It also has three A330-based multi-role tanker transports.The ‘W’ variant was introduced in 2014, featuring winglets and uprated engines as standard. The new model provides operators with enhanced performance in all flight phases but is particularly aimed at those operating at “hot and high“ airfields where payload increases in excess of 1,000kg are promised.
In intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) roles such as airborne early warning (AEW) the enhancements will increase endurance by 30-60min and permit an operating altitude up to 2,000ft higher than now.
The new features will also provide an overall reduction in fuel consumption of around 4% depending on configuration and conditions.
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