CASA/IPTN CN-235 is a twin-engined medium-range multi-purpose transport aircraft developed jointly by the Spanish manufacturer CASA (EADS CASA) and the Indonesian manufacturer IPTN.
Developing nations: Spain and Indonesia.
Manufacturers/designers: Airbus Military/CASA/PT. Dirgantara Indonesia.
Production Lines: San Pablo Airport, in Seville, Spain and Bandung, Indonesia.
Type aircraft: Tactical transport.
First flight: 11 November 1983.
Certification: 20 June 1986
First delivery: 1 March 1988 Spain.
Produced: 1983 – present.
The CN-235 has been conceived for tactical military transport and is capable of operating from unpaved runways and has excellent low level flying characteristics for tactical penetration. Its large cargo hold and hydraulically operated rear ramp allow easy access for vehicle transport the ideal complement to the Hercules C-130. It can carry most combat aircraft engines and may also be subjected to a quick change configuration. The CN-235 can be used to transport up to 48 paratroopers who may jump out either of the two side doors or the rear ramp. The CN-235 is able to carry out high and low altitude (HAD, LAPES) in-flight drops distribution of up to four tons of supplies to forward troops. On medical evacuation missions, the plane can transport up to 21 stretchers, with four medics.
Variants
- CN-235-10 – Initial production version (15 built by each company), with GE CT7-7A engines.
- CN-235-100/110 – Generally as series 10, but with GE CT7-9C engines in new composites nacelles; replaced Series 10 in 1988 from 31st production aircraft. Series 100 is Spanish-built, series 110 Indonesian-built, with improved electrical, warning and environmental systems.
- CN-235-200/220 – Improved version. Structural reinforcements to cater for higher operating weights, aerodynamic improvements to wing leading-edges and rudder, reduced field length requirements and much-increased range with maximum payload. Series 200 is Spanish-built, Series 220 Indonesian-built.
- CN-235-300 – CASA Modification of 200/220 series, with the Honeywell International Corp. avionics suite. Other features include improved pressurisation and provision for optional twin-nosewheel installation.
- CN-235-330 Phoenix – Modification of Series 200/220, offered by IPTN with new Honeywell avionics, ARL-2002 EW system and 16.800 kg/37.037 lb MTOW, to Royal Australian Air Force to meet Project Air 5190 tactical airlift requirement, but was forced by financial constraints to withdraw in 1998.
- CN-235 MPA – Maritime patrol version with 6 hardpoints to carry AM-39 Exocet-Missiles or Mk.46-Torpedos.
- HC-144 Ocean Sentry – United States Coast Guard designation for a planned twenty-two aircraft fleet bought to replace the small HU-25 Guardian business-style jets.
Military operators
- Azerbaijan – Azerbaijani Air Forces 30, ordered in April 2010
- Botswana – Botswana Defence Force (2, later replaced by 2 new)
- Brunei – Royal Brunei Air Force (1)
- Burkina Faso – Military of Burkina Faso (1)
- Cambodia
- Cameroon – Cameroon Air Force ordered one CN-235 in June 2012
- Chile – Chilean Army (4 CN-235-100) One lost in Antarctica
- Colombia – Colombian Air Force and Colombian National Armada
- Ecuador – Ecuadorian Air Force and Ecuadorian Navy
- France – French Air Force 19 CN235-100, 18 updated in CN235-200 configuration, 1 lost. 8 CN235-300 (ordered April 2010)
- Gabon – Gabonese Air Force (1)
- Indonesia – Indonesian Air Force (Operating CN235-100M, CN235-220M, CN235MPA) Indonesian Navy, (Operating CN235MPA
- Ireland – Irish Air Corps (2 x CN235MP)
- Jordan – Royal Jordanian Air Force (2 on lease for several years from Turkish AF, to be modified by ATK into Gunships)
- Malaysia – Royal Malaysian Air Force (8 x CN235-220)
- Mexico – Mexican Navy 6 CN235-300MPA) – Mexican Federal Police (2x CN235)
- Morocco – Moroccan Air Force (6)
- Nigeria – Nigerian Air Force (20 CN-235s ordered)
- Pakistan – Pakistan Air Force (4× CN235-220)
- Papua New Guinea – Papua New Guinea Defence Force (2 CN-235M)
- Republic of Korea – Republic of Korea Air Force (20; 12 built by CASA in Spain, 8 by IPTN in Indonesia) – Korea Coast Guard (4)
- Saudi Arabia – Royal Saudi Air Force (4)
- Senegal – Senegalese Air Force (2)
- Spain – Spanish Air Force (20) – Spanish Civil Guard (2x Surveillance)
- Thailand – Royal Thai Air Force (2)
- Turkey – Turkish Air Force (50 x CN235-100M) – Turkish Navy (9 x CN-235 ASW/ASuW MPA with AMASCOS (Airborne Maritime Situation & Control System) of Thales) – Turkish Coast Guard (3 x CN-235 MPA with AMASCOS (Airborne Maritime Situation & Control System) of Thales)
- United Arab Emirates – UAE Navy (4)
- United States – United States Air Force 427th Special Operations Squadron – United States Coast Guard EADS CASA HC-144 Ocean Sentry
- Yemen – Yemen Air Force (1)
Government and paramilitary operators
- Oman – Royal Oman Police (2 x CN-235-M100)
- Spain – Guardia Civil (2 X CN-235 MPA) – Sociedad de Salvamento y Seguridad Marítima (3 X CN-235 MPA)
- Thailand – Royal Thai Police (1 x CN235-300)
Specifications (CN-235-100)
General characteristics
- Crew: two, pilot and co-pilot
- Capacity: 44 passengers
- Payload: 5,950 kg (13,120 lb)
- Length: 21.40 m (70 ft 2½ in)
- Wingspan: 25.81 m (84 ft 8 in)
- Height: 8.18 m (26 ft 10 in)
- Wing area: 59.10 m² (636.1 sq st)
- Airfoil: NACA 653-218
- Aspect ratio: 11.27:1
- Empty weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)
- Useful load: 48.54 m3 (1715.17 ft3)
- Max. takeoff weight: 16,500 kg (36,380 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × General Electric CT7-9C3 turboprops, 1,750 shp () each
Performance
- Cruise speed: 454 km/h (245 knots,)
- Range: 5,055 km (2730 nm)
- Service ceiling: 7,620 m (25,000 ft)
- Rate of climb: 7.8 m/s (1,780 ft/min)
All pictures courtesy of Zijde Aviation Photo and Publishing, Rob Vogelaar / Marcel van Leeuwen
