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Indian Ministry of Defence issued a request for proposals (RFPs) for six medium-range maritime reconnaissance (MRMR) aircraft. India has already inked a $2.1 billion deal with Boeing for the supply of 8 customized P-8A Poseidon Maritime Multimission Aircraft (MMA), designated P-8I, for use by the Indian Navy. This was the biggest deal defence ever between India and the US, surpassing the 2007 $962 million deal for the supply of six C-130J `Super Hercules' aircraft for Indian special forces. India will get its first P-8I towards end-2012 or early-2013, with delivery of the remaining seven aircraft expected to be completed by 2015-16. Under the contract India has an option to order four to eight more such planes.
The Indian Coast Guard also is looking for six MRMRs but without an Airborne Early Warning system. Contenders are ATR-72MP/ ATR-42MP, EADS C-295MPA/C-235MPA, Dassault's Falcon 900MPA and Embraer P-99A platforms. Most favourable contenders are Alenia Aeronautica’s ATR-72-500MP Surveyor, EADS/CASA’s C-295MPA Persuader and Dassault's Falcon 900MPA. The ATR-72-500MP Surveyor is already in production for Turkish Navy’s order of 10 such aircraft. ATR-72-500MP Surveyor can be armed with anti-ship cruise missiles and torpedoes for ASuW and ASW missions. The ATR-72-500MP Surveyor will also be equipped with the THALES-built AMASCOS (Airborne Maritime Situation and Control System) maritime surveillance system, as well as electronic warfare and reconnaissance systems, and will also be used for maritime search-and-rescue (SAR) operations. AMASCOS will allow ATR-72-500MP Surveyor to conduct maritime patrol and surveillance missions that include maritime surveillance (EEZ surveillance, surveillance of shipping, drug interdiction, etc), anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, SAR, electronic intelligence (ELINT), communications intelligence (COMINT), joint littoral warfare operations, and environmental monitoring. AMASCOS, together with the THALES-built Ocean Master search radar, has been selected by Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan and Turkey. Optional belly-mounted multi-mode radar is offered for the ATR-72-500MP Surveyor is SELEX Sensors and Airborne Systems’s X-band Seaspray 7000E 360° active phased-array fire-control radar. The radar comprises two line replaceable units: the COTS processor and an AESA antenna that are typically at least 25% lighter than their mechanically scanned radar equivalents. Seaspray 7000E provides a wide range of extended surveillance modes, such as moving target indication and high-resolution ground mapping, or interfaces with guided-weapon systems to provide anti-ship cruise missile mid-course target and guidance information.
FALCON 900 MPA is based on the FALCON 900 DX, latest version of the FALCON 900 family. It is modified to carry out the whole range of maritime patrol missions. It carries radar under the fuselage, retractable FLIR, two oversized observation windows, sonobuoys/marker launcher, one fife raft drop door for SAR operations and under wing pylons. The floor plan is based on a seven crew concept: two pilots, one technical co-ordinator (TACCO), one Deputy TACCO, one Acoustic operator, two observers. The flight deck is designed for two-pilot operations. The glass-cockpit EASy, developed by DASSAULT AVIATION is the most advanced flight deck system in the world. It dramatically increases safety and efficiency of the flight deck crew during all the phases of the mission. The FALCON 900 MPA is powered by three Honeywell TFE731-60 engines with 5,000 lbs thrust. Each engine is controlled by a Digital Electronic Engine Computer (DEEC) allowing the best efficiency and minimum consumption during each segment of the mission. In 2005 Dassault offered the Falcon 900 MPA for $45 million per plane.
The mission system of the FALCON 900 MPA incorporates state-of-the-art technologies in both sensors and sub-systems. It allows carrying out efficiently the various tasks dedicated to a multi-mission aircraft with a reduced crew thanks to automatic functions and analysis. The THALES AMASCOS mission systems is composed of a radar fitted in a radome under the fuselage, a retractable FLIR located in the nose cone, Electronic Support Measure (ESM) , acoustic subsystem and analyzer , Three to four multifunction workstations with color displays, data link, A complete communication suite including a satellite liaison and self protection system.
EADS/CASA’s C-295MPA Persuader has been ordered by Chile, Ireland, Portugal, Spain and the United Arab Emirates. On March 22, 2001 this aircraft was selected by the United Arab Emirates as the winner in its Shaheen 1 MPA competition. Competing with the C-295 were rival aircraft from Alenia Aeronautica and Bombardier Aerospace. The UAE has since acquired four C-295MPAs, equipped with the FITS (Fully Integrated Tactical System) mission fit which has already been selected by the Spanish Air Force and the Portuguese Air Force for its P-3B Orion MP/ASW aircraft upgrade programme. The C-295MPA builds on the track record of EADS/CASA’s earlier CN-235MPA aircraft, which is well established in service with the Irish Air Corps, Indonesian Navy and Chilean Navy. The Chilean Navy last October purchased three C-295MPA Persuaders, with an option for another five. The aircraft’s flight deck is fitted with dual controls for the pilot and co-pilot. The cockpit is equipped with fully digital and integrated TopDeck avionics suite supplied by THALES. The AMLCD displays, including four 152mm x 203mm (6-inch x 8-inch) are compatible with night vision goggles. The aircraft is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127G turboprop engines, each rated at 1,972kW and at 2,177kW with auto-power reserve. The engines drive HS-568F-5 six-bladed composite propellers developed by Hamilton Sundstrand. The aircraft carries a fuel load of 7,700 litres, giving a maximum range of 5,630km.
The Navy's MRMR is supposed to replace the aging Islander fleet of 10 aircraft, which will be used for training and possibly shared with the Coast Guard. Two have already been gifted to Myanmar. The aircraft will have a range of over 500 nautical miles with an endurance of around 6 hours. In addition to eight Boeing P-8Is, the Navy will also be getting 11 new Dornier short-range aircraft. India has been focusing on the need for new and updated technology.
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