The project was a joint venture between Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA (CASA) and Indonesian Aerospace (PT. Dirgantara Indonesia), formerly known as IPTN, which formed Airtech to manage the programme. The partnership applied only to the Series 10 and Series 100/110, with later versions being developed independently. Over 230 of all versions of CN-235 are in service and have accumulated more than 500,000 flight hours.
Design began in January 1980 with first flight on 11 November 1983. Spanish and Indonesian certification was on 20 June 1986; the first flight of the production aircraft was on 19 August 1986 and FAA type approval was granted on 3 December 1986. The aircraft entered service on 1 March 1988
In 1995, CASA launched development of a stretched CN-235 as the C-295. In December 2002, the Colombian Navy ordered two CN-235 for patrol and anti-drug trafficking missions.
The well-proven CN-235 is the lowest cost solution to meet the needs and requirements of governments and air forces, as well as non-governmental organisations in the light and medium airlift field. Able to carry up to six tonnes / 13,200lb of payload, or up to 51 personnel, the CN-235 has gained vast experience in daily airlift missions, in the deployment and logistic support of peacekeeping forces and in disaster relief operations or any other ‘civic’ missions for the benefit of society. In addition, and thanks to its versatility and multi-mission capabilities, it is also widely used for maritime surveillance and homeland security applications.
The CN-235 is able to cruise at altitudes up to 25,000ft, and speeds up to 245kt / 454 km/h, while retaining remarkable low level flight characteristics, as well as short take-off & landing (STOL) capabilities. Powered by two General Electric GE CT7-9CE, 1,750 shp turboprop engines, the CN-235 provides excellent manoeuvrability, fast engine response, outstanding hot and high performance, low fuel consumption and consequently a very long endurance of up to 11 hours.
The current CN-235 model in production (CN235-300) was certified in 1998 It benefits from simple systems design and robustness, excellent flying qualities, and great versatility, as well as remarkable transport capabilities. All this makes it a true and highly efficient “workhorse”, with the lowest fuel burn, and the best operating and maintenance costs in its category. The civil and military certification of the CN-235 ensures compliance with the international airworthiness regulations and safety standards, including the stringent requirements of the US FAA and the European EASA.
The CN-235’s reliability and dependability has also been widely demonstrated. In service with some 40 operators worldwide, the aircraft has accumulated over one million flight hours. And with more than 270 sold , the CN-235 is the best selling airlifter in the light/medium segment.
In April 2005, Venezuela ordered two CN-235 maritime surveillance aircraft plus 10 transport planes but the operation was halted because the United States government refused to allow the transfer of what they deemed to be US technology in the avionics.
In January 2006, Thailand placed an order with Indonesian Aerospace for ten aircraft, six for the Ministry of Defence and four for the Ministry of Agriculture.
In December 2007, Spain ordered two CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft for the Guardia Civil, for delivery 2008–2009.
One CN-235 MPA aircraft was delivered by Indonesian Aerospace to the Indonesian defence ministry in June 2008.
In August 2006, three CASA CN-235-10 aircraft remained in airline service, in Africa, with Safair (two) and Tiko Air (one). Asian Spirit operated a lone CN-235-220 in the Philippines, correct as of June/July 2007.
The Irish Air Corps operates two CASA CN-235 aircraft for maritime patrol.
There are at least two CN-235s flying with the United States Air Force for an undisclosed role with the 427th Special Operations Squadron, located at the former Pope AFB, North Carolina.
In early July 2008, the Mexican Navy announced that it would purchase six CASA CN-235s from Spain. In April 2010, Hervé Morin, French Minister of Defence, announced the order of eight CN-235-300s from Spain.
In 2011, Indonesian Aerospace was still working on 4 CN-235-110 MPAs for South Korea Coast Guard with amount of $96 million.
The Senegalese Air Force acquired two CN-235s in 2010 and August 2012 under a $13 million contract. They plan to buy two more aircraft for VIP and cargo duties. The Air Force is also interested in the maritime patrol version of the aircraft.
The CN-235 offers an unobstructed, constant fuselage section, 9.65 m / 31.7 ft long, with a pressurised cabin which can be quickly changed, with minimum tools and manpower, from a cargo carrier to a personnel transporter, or to a medical evacuation aircraft.
In its cargo role, the CN-235, which is fitted with a reinforced heavy-duty floor, can carry up to six tonnes / 13,100 lb of cargo. It can accommodate palletised cargo. Options include four military standard 88in x 108in HCU-6/E pallets - 463L system-, including one on the ramp, or up to eight 88in x 54in pallets. It can also carry bulk cargo, and can be used for aerial delivery with direct off-loading through its rear ramp.
The full-width rear ramp door allows easy loading/offloading of bulky items such as light vehicles or up to three fighter engines, and allows full cargo interoperability with CH-47 Chinook helicopters and C-130 aircraft. The ramp can be opened in flight at speeds of up to 160 kt for aerial delivery. In addition to the ramp, the CN-235 is equipped with one crew door and two paratrooper doors.
When used for personnel transportation, it can accommodate 51 seats, including a central seat row, or carry 35 paratroops plus one jumpmaster on just the foldable lateral seats.. The CN-235 can also be used for medical evacuation operations, with 18 stretchers and four medical attendants, or an Intensive Care Unit.
The CN-235 offers an unobstructed, constant fuselage section, 9.65 m / 31.7 ft long, with a pressurised cabin which can be quickly changed, with minimum tools and manpower, from a cargo carrier to a personnel transporter, or to a medical evacuation aircraft.
In its cargo role, the CN-235, which is fitted with a reinforced heavy-duty floor, can carry up to six tonnes / 13,100 lb of cargo. It can accommodate palletised cargo. Options include four military standard 88in x 108in HCU-6/E pallets - 463L system-, including one on the ramp, or up to eight 88in x 54in pallets. It can also carry bulk cargo, and can be used for aerial delivery with direct off-loading through its rear ramp.
The full-width rear ramp door allows easy loading/offloading of bulky items such as light vehicles or up to three fighter engines, and allows full cargo interoperability with CH-47 Chinook helicopters and C-130 aircraft. The ramp can be opened in flight at speeds of up to 160 kt for aerial delivery. In addition to the ramp, the CN-235 is equipped with one crew door and two paratrooper doors.
When used for personnel transportation, it can accommodate 51 seats, including a central seat row, or carry 35 paratroops plus one jumpmaster on just the foldable lateral seats.. The CN-235 can also be used for medical evacuation operations, with 18 stretchers and four medical attendants, or an Intensive Care Unit.
Short Take-Off & Landing (STOL) Capability
The CN-235’s STOL capability combined with a strong landing gear with tandem low-pressure tyres, enables it to operate in the most austere locations with the worst conditions for take-off and landing. The aircraft has a light footprint to enable operations from short (less than 550 m / 1800 ft), soft, rough and unprepared airstrips, performing up to (up to 200 passes in CBR 4.The CN-235 is also designed to provide outstanding low-level flight characteristics for tactical missions, flying at speeds down to 100 kt, and even lower (STOL landing speed is less than 95 kt at maximum weight). Its excellent handling qualities, high manoeuvrability and fast engine response (two General Electric GE CT7-9CE-3, 1750 shp) allow safe critical operations at low altitude.
Outstanding Survivability and Reliability
The CN-235 was designed to operate in the most austere environments for extended periods of time without the need for ground support equipment. Its simple systems and robust structure ensure the highest – and proven – reliability. Together with easy supportability, this results in high aircraft availability and the lowest maintenance and life cycle cost (LCC) in its class. Its rugged structure coupled with outstanding manoeuvrability and excellent low level and STOL performance, also contribute to its survivability in tactical missions.
The versatility of the CN-235 makes it the ideal platform for numerous military missions and many other “civic” tasks for the benefit of society. It is today performing a multitude of missions from personnel, troop and bulky/palletised cargo transportation to casualty evacuation, communication and logistic duties, search and rescue, surveillance and control, homeland security, and certified air-dropping capabilities, with the lowest configuration change time.
A key to the aircraft’s unique patrol and surveillance capabilities isits Fully Integrated Tactical System (FITS) Entirely conceived and developed by Airbus Military, FITS integrates, controls and displays the mission sensors, enhancing the mission awareness and facilitating the decision making.
The CN-235 structure has been designed to be simple, robust and reliable in order to withstand the rigours of military tactical operations. Manufacturing technologies and materials have been optimised for a long structural fatigue life, certified for up to 30,000 flights or 64,000 flight hours. The CN-235 is cleared for 3g tactical manoeuvres.
Robust Technology Robust Technology
The CN-235 avionics system supports present and future requirements to operate in both civil and military environments. The aircraft is equipped with five multifunctional displays, an integrated engine display system, an automatic flight control system, and a dual flight management system.Compared to other tactical transport types, the CN-235 has a simpler system architecture with fewer components, less weight, better reliability and lower support costs. The effectiveness and soundness of the CN-235 general systems design is backed by one million flights of operational experience in all types of environments.
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. As of 2010, twelve had been delivered.
AC-235
A light gunship modified with integrated weapons pylons to carry AGM-114 missiles and 70MM rockets, has a side-mounted 30mm cannon, and a Synthetic aperture radar. The collaborative effort was made by King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau of Jordan, and the U.S. Defense company Orbital ATK.
Navigation
The aircraft is equipped with a Trimble TNL7900 Omega global positioning system and a Northrop Grumman (formerly Litton) LN92 ring laser gyroscope inertial navigation system.
Engines
Two General Electric CT&-9C3 turboprop engines each developing 1,305kW, are wing-mounted in composite nacelles. The engines produce 1,394kW with automatic power reserve. The engines drive Hamilton Sundstrand 14RF-21 four-bladed, constant speed, full feathering, reverse pitch propellers, diameter 3.35m. The propellers are of glass fibre construction with a metal spar and urethane foam core.
General characteristics
Crew: two, pilot and co-pilot
Capacity: 51 passengers, 35 paratroops, 18 stretchers or four HCU-6/E pallets including one on the ramp
Payload: 6,000 kg (13,100 lb)
Length: 21.40 m (70 ft 21⁄2 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 ft)
Airfoil: NACA 653-218
Aspect ratio: 11.27:1
Empty weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 15,100 kg (33,289 lb)
Powerplant: 2 × General Electric CT7-9C3 turboprops, 1,305 kW (1,750 hp) (take-off) each
Performance
Cruise speed: 450 km/h (248 knots, 286 mph) at 4,575 m (15,000 ft)
Stall speed: 156 km/h (84 knots, 97 mph) (flaps down)
Range: 4,355 km (2,350 nmi, 2,706 mi)
Service ceiling: 7,620 m (25,000 ft)
Rate of climb: 7.8 m/s (1,780 ft/min)