The First ATR-72 600 Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) special mission aircraft of Turkish Navy completes the first flight. That was reported by turkishnavy.net.
The ATR 72 ASW based on ATR 72-600 modern regional turboprop aircraft from Leonardo’s Aircraft Division. It is the only mid-sized, new-design aircraft available on the market for this specific role. The Turkish Navy launched the programs with an order for eight aircraft.
The Turkish Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (Savunma Sanayii Müstesarligi (SSM)) released a tender in 2001 for the procurement of maritime patrol aircraft, featuring maritime surveillance capability and onboard mission equipment. These will be used by the Turkish Navy. The Defence Industry Executive Committee (DIEC) signed a contract with Alenia Aermacchi for the ATR-72 600 Anti-Submarine Warfare program in July 2005. It has been 11 years since the contract was signed.
ASW-specific role equipment includes a sono-buoy launcher, Magnetic Anomaly Detector (MAD), two pylons for Mk 46 or Mk 54 LWT torpedoes, ASW weapon release point calculator.
The mission system comprises four workstations and is based on three main sensors (electro-optical turret, search radar and Electronic Support Measures sensors) fully integrated within the mission system and with the flight avionics. The fully integrated self-protection suite includes chaff & flare launchers and radar, missile and laser warning. The configuration also includes an Automatic Identification System (AIS), secure communications systems (Link 11/16) and broadband satellite systems to share information in real time with other platforms (whether in the air or on the surface) or with command and control centres. The aircraft is also equipped with a flight-operable door (or, alternatively, a rear belly hatch) to drop paratroopers or emergency kits and sports large observation windows.
The aircraft uses the ATR 72-600 glass cockpit, with full digital avionics.