*Sources: DTN News / Defense Media
(NSI News Source Info) SAO PAULO - June 25, 2009: The Sub-directorate for Development and Programs (SDDP) of the Brazilian air force’s Department of Science and Aerospace Technology (CTA) this week received the initial offer from the Spanish company EADS CASA for the acquisition of four new C-105 Amazonas transport aircraft (CASA C-295) and four SC-105s, the search and rescue variant. 
The EADS CASA C-295 is the latest development of the Military Transport Aircraft Division’s tactical transport aircraft family. Versatile, robust and with the lowest life cycle cost of any aircraft in its category, the C-295 is capable of carrying out a wide range of missions with maximum efficacy: tactical and logistical transport, launch of paratroops and loads or medical evacuation. The C-295 can operate as a single type fleet or as a complement to heavier airlifters. It has been designed to operate from short runways in austere environments; its light footprint allows the use of soft-surfaced fields. Bulky cargo can be easily loaded or unloaded through the rear ramp door, which can be opened in flight for airdrop operations. The C-295 can take on many of the missions carried out by heavier transport aircraft such as the C-130 Hercules, but with much lower costs (below one third per flight hour). Since its launching in 2001, 50 C-295 have been sold to six different Air Forces: Spain, Poland, Jordan, Algeria, Brazil and Portugal. Currently 25 aircraft are already in operation in the most hostile environments, achieving high reliability levels and low maintenance costs.
These aircraft are intended for transport units stationed in the country’s northern and centre-west regions, as well as for the Pelican Squadron (Esquadrão Pelicano, 2º/10º GAV), based in Campo Grande (MS) and specialized in search and rescue missions.
The company’s initial offer is in response to the Request For Proposals issued to the company on April 15. The next phase of the acquisition process will be the evaluation of the offer, which will take place in July.
A team of civilian and military specialists from various departments of the air force, coordinated by the CL-X Project management team, will evaluate the technical, operational, logistic, industrial, contractual aspects of the projrect, including offsets.
No comments:
Post a Comment