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BAE pitches 146 for Military role

  • 10-09-2009 10:14pm
    #1
    Steyr
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,266 ✭✭✭


    http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/09/09/332083/dsei-pictures-bae-pitches-146-for-military-airlift-role.html

    BAE pitches 146 for military airlift role
    By Craig Hoyle

    BAE Systems has launched a new bid to offer the BAe 146 regional airliner for military transport and airlift applications.

    Announcing the proposal at the DSEi exhibition in London on 8 September, the company said the military variant could be used to carry between 80 and 109 passengers, or a cargo of between 11t and 12.5t in freighter configuration.

    Dubbed the 146M, the proposed development could be equipped with additional fuel tanks, glass cockpit avionics, and steep approach and unpaved runway operating capability, says BAE. It would not, however, receive a rear cargo ramp for vehicle loading.


    BAE says the 146M "can realistically undertake some of the more challenging air transport support roles", and suggests the type could also be used for tasks such as medical evacuation, paradrop, surveillance, or even in-flight refuelling.

    "BAE Systems believes the BAe 146M offers cost-effective additional airlift capability for interim or long-term requirements and is available at a time when defence budgets increasingly are under strain." It cites a likely acquisition cost of $2-3 million for a passenger version and up to $5 million for a freighter.


    The company says its Asset Management business unit "has a number of BAe 146-200 and -300 series aircraft that are due to back off lease from European airline customers over the next few years. Delivery timescales are very short, so the aircraft can be put into service relatively quickly to meet current airlift shortfalls." Many such aircraft have at least half of their operating lives still ahead of them, it adds.

    This is not the first time that the 146 has been offered for potential military service, with the then British Aerospace having first touted the idea more than 20 years ago while the type was still in series production.


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