Paris Air Show unveils surveillance plane - Xinhua

BEIJING, June 20 (Xinhuanet) --Airbus Military, has presented its new C-295 surveillance-capable, AIRCRAFT at the Paris Air Show. This model provides a relatively cheap, NEW alternative in a market, where military budgets are under pressure.

This is a highlight of the Paris Air Show. The first C-295 aircraft with its Airborne Early Warning and Control rotodome.

The plane is a new cheap European alternative to big surveillance planes, although it is still in the development phase. It landed successfully on Sunday, less than two weeks after its maiden flight on June 7th.

Airbus says it is an ideal aircraft for military transport and civic missions given its robustness and reliability. But the company's spokeswoman said its biggest pulling power is going to be its smaller size.

Barbara Kracht, Spokeswoman, Airbus Military, said, "It's a totally new concept for us, the 295 is already in service, there are about 100 which have been sold and which are being used for the most varied types of operations, and here we are presenting a new opportunity, which is that of aerial surveillance, airborne early warning and control, which exists on bigger planes, but this one here will be an aircraft which is proven, robust, solid, versatile, and cheap to operate, so a whole benefit for a new range products."

With simple systems, this medium-sized tactical airlifter provides the wide flexibility required for personnel, troop and bulky cargo transportation, casualty evacuation, communication and logistic duties.

Flight testing will continue over the next three months to complete the feasibility study and fully validate the concept.

(Source: CNTV.cn)