CN235 MPA for Royal Thai Navy (all photos : TAF)
According to the policy of the Naval Commander, Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) Project to replace the two long-used and remaining F-27 Mk 200 models, plans to restart in fiscal year 2021 after the canceled earlier.
The CN235 MPA model that IAe exhibited at the Defense and Security 2019 event was modified from the CN235-220 transporter (with winglet) with a ground floor underwater radar. Target tracking system under the head, ESM system above the cockpit, alerts and drop target system to protect yourself from being hit by a rocket, and equipped with 2 sets of observation windows.
For the weapon system, there are 2 weapon points under each wing and 2 weapons on each side of the body. The weapons equipped with 4 light torpedoes, 2 mines, 2 sets of 7 rocket launchers (which choose 2.75 inch rockets, can be guided by choosing an optonics with a laser target). In addition, the left side of the body still attached to the machine gun from the side door which should be a 30 mm gun, with what is missing is the MAD system at the tail (there is a socket but not attached).
From the mounted weapons set if the navy chooses to do all of this, besides using the CN235-220 MPA in the submarine warfare mission and anti surface ships, aircraft could be used in a mission to support land forces (as gunship).
The CN235-220 MPA has a Hi-Lo-Hi operating time of 11 hours and 20 minutes, 100 miles from the base of the sea, flying patrolling at 2,000 feet for 10 hours and 10 minutes, flying back and forth at a height of 10,000 feet, and has reserve to fly, wait another 45 minutes
Can choose to install anti-surface missiles such as Harpoon or Exocet.
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