Airbus Defence and Space presented an update of its armed C295 version at SOFINS 2021 (Special Operations Forces Innovation Network Seminar). This is an Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) version that can also be weaponized to conduct persistent Close Air Support (CAS) operations.
The C295 Armed ISR has recently conducted its maiden flight equipped with eight laser-guided missiles and two laser-guided bombs dummies, located on four underwing hardpoints.
The first set of flights were testing the impact of the different weapons configurations on the aerodynamical and mechanical integration.
With the quality and safety of the modification ensured by Airbus as Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), the C295 Armed ISR provides persistent surveillance with a diverse set of weapons for defensive and attack capabilities.
It is able to carry out special operations missions, support ground troops, and neutralization of targets detected during surveillance and patrol missions, with the longest endurance in its class.
Equipped with the last generation FITS (Fully Integrated Tactical System), the C295 Armed ISR incorporates different weaponry options available in kits that allow the operator to select the most appropriate option for their requirements: from machine guns, 27 mm autocannon, guided and unguided rockets, laser-guided missiles to laser-guided bombs.
As announced at Dubai Airshow 2017 the company signed a series of agreements with air-to-surface weapon suppliers paving the way for flight trials to qualify their products to equip the C295.
These agreements include a memorandum of understanding with Roketsan of Turkey and similar arrangements have been signed with Expal, Escribano, and Equipaer of Spain, as well as Rheinmetall of Germany, and the US suppliers Nobles Worldwide and US Ordnance.
