Military transport aircraft

[gaff85]

A quick solution would be to strip out the mission equipment of one of the existing CN 235s, when the first 295 arrives and use the aircraft as a plain vanilla cargo/pax combi in the interim period.

What are the hours/cycles left on them, totally agree when the 295's come online the 235's primary task is mothballed, would like to see them repurposed in some fashion than sold at auction for cents on the euro

[na grohmiti]

A quick solution would be to strip out the mission equipment of one of the existing CN 235s, when the first 295 arrives and use the aircraft as a plain vanilla cargo/pax combi in the interim period.

I recon its already stripped out of at least one.

[GoneToTheCanner]

with regard to cycles and hours, transitioning to a life of a freighter would be simpler on the hull than pounding around at low level over the sea. Cheap, familiar and easy to operate. Run it for a few years as a go between.

[na grohmiti]

I imagine we'll get some P/X instead. Hand the CN235 back to Airbus in Spain, let them do the donkey work, and we get a new 295 in return. (plus balance of payment).

[Anzac]

with regard to cycles and hours, transitioning to a life of a freighter would be simpler on the hull than pounding around at low level over the sea. Cheap, familiar and easy to operate. Run it for a few years as a go between.

The Royal Malaysian Air Force have recently undertook a SLEP for two of their 23 year old CN-235's but rather than have them remain as transport aircraft they have refitted them for the maritime patrol role. They expect to get another 10000 hours out of them.

[DeV]

Let’s remember ours are 28 years old and both have over 20,000 flight hours on them (the highest of any). They will have spent a fair amount of time at low level over salt water.

if we want a transport aircraft and options are CN235 or C295, why would we opt for the smaller of the 2 (even if it saved us significant money)?

[na grohmiti]

I'd take a leased C295 as an interim aircraft rather than a rejigged CN235, which we could end up stuck with.

[GoneToTheCanner]

Let’s remember ours are 28 years old and both have over 20,000 flight hours on them (the highest of any). They will have spent a fair amount of time at low level over salt water.

if we want a transport aircraft and options are CN235 or C295, why would we opt for the smaller of the 2 (even if it saved us significant money)?

20,000 is nothing in real terms and total flight cycles are more important and regarding exposure to the salt environment, any induced corrosion would have been found by now, given that they have been through several C-checks at the factory. I said interim in my original suggestion because it would merely take a few hours to strip out the mission kit and associated seats, carpets, trim etc etc and box it up. The stuff was designed from the off to be modular, allegedly and even the radome and antenna under the belly is a quick-fit device. It really wouldnt take more than a couple of shifts to demod the aircraft and restore it to basic configuration with 1/3 rd seating, 2/3 rd cargo fitout. You would also make a considerable weight saving...............................
When we operated 250, we were able to fit the parachuting static drop cables in a matter of minutes. We also had a few rows of the standard 3-seat airliner seat rows and could fit them in a matter of minutes. Apart from that, cargo nets and tie-down rings were standard and we had a couple of pallet bases that could easily be manhandled on board. Apart from that, even a smaller 235 is worth having for crew training (techs as well as pilots) and the sheer utility of available space. You can bin it when the newer 295 is available, at your leisure. All it would cost you in real terms is a few A-checks and the used fuel and oil.

[GoneToTheCanner]

I'd take a leased C295 as an interim aircraft rather than a rejigged CN235, which we could end up stuck with.

Can you actually get a leased good 295 these days? Even a second hand, well kept 235 will sell. Depends on how good it is and a flexible attitude to pricing.

[DeV]

Can you actually get a leased good 295 these days? Even a second hand, well kept 235 will sell. Depends on how good it is and a flexible attitude to pricing.

2 still available afaik

[GoneToTheCanner]

buy them now!

[DeV]

https://forum.irishmilitaryonline.co...roop-transport

reportedly a deposit has been paid on a new C295 transport version

“Those sources have also told The Journal that the Air Corps is still advocating for a separate long-range small jet, not just for ministerial air transportation but also for medical evacuations of soldiers and Irish civilians.


This website has reported extensively on this issue and revealed previously that the Government had engaged an aircraft consultancy to determine the best course of action to replace the current jet.“

IMO being used as a source again?

[na grohmiti]

The Article means Journal.ie..

[EUFighter]

UKDJ is also reporting (based upon Journal IE) that the deposit was paid in December, so looks like we will be getting a transport C-295 soon
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/irel...port-aircraft/

[DeV]

UKDJ is also reporting (based upon Journal IE) that the deposit was paid in December, so looks like we will be getting a transport C-295 soon
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/irel...port-aircraft/

The Journal article says 2025