17:21 GMT, July 28, 2010 The Colombian Navy has today taken delivery of a CN235-300 MPA (Maritime Patrol Aircraft). The aircraft is equipped with the Airbus Military-developed Fully Integrated Tactical System (FITS) which presents data gathered by a comprehensive battery of sensors to the two tactical operators and two pilots in an intuitive and usable format.

The sensor suite includes a search radar, which can locate and track ships, and an automatic identification system. An infrared camera can capture images and the aircraft is equipped to make digital video recordings of the missions for playback after missions.

The CN235-300 MPA for Colombia is qualified to carry out military surveillance missions such as economic exclusion zone monitoring, fishery patrol, and maritime interdiction as well as civic duties including search and rescue.

This CN235-300 MPA is the third Airbus Military aircraft that the Colombian Navy has acquired and will join two CN235-200 MPAs already in operation. The Colombian Military Forces are thoroughly familiar with the capabilities of the Airbus Military light and medium family of aircraft. The Colombian Air Force already operates four C295s and three CN235s.

To date, Airbus Military, the world leader in light and medium tactical aircraft, has sold 202 CN235s to 31 different operators. Of those, 32 are the MPA version and others have been upgraded from a previous military transport configuration.


The CN235

Able to carry up to six tons of payload and a maximum cruise speed of 240 kt (450 km/h), the CN235 is able to take off from and land on short, semi-prepared runways with soft surfaces thanks to its Short Take Off and Landing (STOL) characteristics and the strong landing gear with tandem low-pressure tyre. Its excellent handling qualities, high manoeuvrability and fast engine (two General Electric GE CT7-9CE-3, 1750 shp) response allow safe critical operations at a very low altitude. Outstanding reliability and supportability result in high aircraft availability and the lowest life cycle cost (LCC) in its class.