Airbus details enhanced C295 configuration

Airbus Defence and Space (DS) has disclosed details of a new variant of the C295 transport and special mission aircraft, with Canada as the launch customer.

The first of 16 C295W aircraft for Canada’s FWSAR requirement was rolled out in its full livery on 8 October. Canada is the launch customer for the New C295 configuration that was detailed by Airbus on 6 November. (Airbus)

Speaking at the Airbus Trade Media Briefing (TMB) in Manching, Germany, Ioannis Papachristofilou, head of marketing, said that the New C295 configuration is built around an enhanced avionics suite as well as other system and performance improvements. It is the standard that is to be delivered to Canada under that country’s Fixed-Wing Search and Rescue (FWSAR) programme.

As noted by Papachristofilou on 6 November, the New C295 features the Collins Aerospace Pro Line Fusion avionics suite that includes 14.1-inch (35.8 cm) touchscreens that are night-vision goggle (NVG) compatible; improved situational awareness with a head-up display (HUD), enhanced synthetic vision system (ESVS), overland weather radar, terrain awareness and warning system (TAWS), and a FITS mission system tactical situation window and video feed to the cockpit; a next-generation FITS with larger 24-inch screens and more powerful processors; a gravel deflector on the landing gear to protect the aircraft’s underside during rough-field operations; improved ditching characteristics with a strengthened under-fuselage and escape hatch in the forward upper-fuselage; 50% more electrical power generation; as well as increased aerodynamic performance through vanes and strakes fitted to varying locations on the fuselage.