The first Airbus C295 aircraft, purchased by the Government of Canada for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) Fixed Wing Search and Rescue Aircraft Replacement (FWSAR) project, has arrived at 19 Wing, Canadian Forces Base Comox, in British Columbia, Canada.

The aircraft, designated CC-295 for the Canadian customer, landed at its home base on September 17th and is the first of the 16 aircraft contracted in December 2016. The contract also includes all In-Service Support elements, training and engineering services, the construction of a new training centre in Comox, British Columbia, and maintenance and support services.

«Airbus is really proud to be able to celebrate this important milestone: the arrival of the first out of 16 Fixed Wing Search and Rescue C295 at the Canadian Forces Base Comox. Thanks to the excellent collaboration with Canadian officials we have overcome the challenges caused by COVID-19 and we were able to deliver the aircraft. Despite the current pandemic, we are confident of achieving the program target of six deliveries by the end of this year. We look forward to our continued collaboration and to the C295 Canada», said Airbus Defence and Space Chief Executive Officer, Dirk Hoke, on a video statement displayed during an official event held today at the 19 Wing Comox Air Base.

Airbus has formally delivered three aircraft to date, the second of which is scheduled to arrive in country in the coming weeks. Deliveries will continue until 2022.

 

Search Radar

Multi-mode radar for detection, localisation, classification, and tracking of targets over water and land – all weather, day or night.

Maximum range of 200 nm/230 miles/370 km, tracking 100+ nm/115+ miles/185+ km surface targets while scanning.

Detects:

• Ocean-going fishing vessels or merchant ships between 80-200 nm/92-230 miles/148-370 km;
• Small craft or inflatable boats up to 35 nm/40 miles/65 km;
• SAR mode provides the capability of distinguishing and recognising ground contacts.

 

Electro-Optical/Infrared sensors

Stabilized, high magnification imaging sensors greatly extend detection, recognition, and identification range.

Multi-spectral imaging (daylight, low light, and thermal) enables search operations under sub-optimal conditions, such as overcast, dusk, and even complete darkness.

Target geo-location eases handoff to ground personnel.

EO/IR sensors lend themselves to search automation.

Search operations are more efficient and economical, with better outcomes.

 

Automatic Identification System (AIS)

Capability to identify and locate ships, aircraft, land bases and navigational aids equipped with AIS transponders.

Fully Integrated Tactical System (FITS).

Ship data provided: position, dimensions, destination, ship name, Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) and call sign.

TX/RX text messages capability.