The program includes the supply of eight maritime patrol aircraft and eight surveillance aircraft.
News published in infodefensa.com – See Original News
Airbus Defense and Space has closed a new contract to equip the new C-295 maritime patrol and surveillance aircraft acquired by the Spanish Ministry of Defense.
The European aerospace manufacturer has commissioned the US company Viasat to supply satellite communications terminals for the new fleet of C-295s that the Air and Space Force will begin operating from 2027.
The aircraft will carry on board the Viasat GAT-5530 dual-band (Ku/ka) terminal, which will provide, according to the satellite communications provider, a “highly flexible multi-band and multi-orbit” system and satcom capacity to carry out missions with the new Spanish Spainsat NG satellites.
The terminal will provide secure and reliable satellite connectivity to the C295 MPA aircraft, Viasat highlights. This is a key and necessary capacity for command and control and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
Contract with the Spanish company SAES
Airbus DS signed another contract in April with the Spanish company SAES for the development and supply of the Sonobuoy Acoustic Processing System (SPAS) for these aircraft. The SPAS system will be integrated with the Tactical Mission System (FITS). This contract also includes ground support, through the acoustic analysis and mission support system (FTAS-Fast Time Analyser System) and the acoustic training system (TAT-Tactical Acoustic Training).
The programme signed in December 2023 includes the supply of eight aircraft in the maritime patrol version (MPA) and another eight in the maritime surveillance configuration (MSA) for 1.655 billion euros.
The first aircraft, which will be the MPA version, will arrive in principle around 2027, according to the current schedule. The programme also includes new infrastructure, simulation systems, training for specialists in the sensors installed on board and an initial package of logistical support with a batch of spare parts, ground support equipment and temporary engineering contributions.
The European aerospace conglomerate will assemble the 16 C-295 aircraft for Spain at its San Pablo facilities in Seville, where the assembly line for this model is located.
