European aerospace industry, aims to develop innovative technologies to reduce CO2 and noise emissions. Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions will be reduced by 20-30%, thanks to the new technologies, and noise pollution by up to 30%, compared with the 2014 status quo. India is one of the newest customers for the type, having ordered 56 aircraft last September: prior to that Egypt – with 24 C295Ms – had been the largest user. Often referred to as the ‘Mini Herc,’ the C295 presents itself as a viable alternative or complement to the Airbus A400M, Antonov An-12 or near-ubiquitous Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules in the tactical airlift domain – which domain they have dominated for decades. Embraer’s KC-390 Millenium, which has already found initial customers in Brazil, Hungary and Portugal, is a new addition to the class. At the strategic airlift level, it is aircraft such as the A400M, Antonov A-124 Ruslan, Lockheed Martin C-5 Galaxy, Boeing C-17, Airbus A310/330 MRTT, Xi’an Y-20 and Ilyushin Il-76 that are predominant. At the lower end of the tactical spectrum, aircraft such as the An-32, C235/C295 or C-27 Spartan have, so far, eked out a rather shadowy existence, at least as far as gaining outside attention is concerned. For the daily routine of military air transport, however, this class of aircraft can convince with facts. Comparatively low procurement and maintenance costs, high payload capacity, short take-off and landing (STOL) characteristics, versatility and the ability to use unpaved runways are decisive positive attributes: additionally, major portions of the transport tasks conducted by ‘Herculesclass’ airlifters can be fulfilled with the smaller aircraft. Statistics show that 80% of missions flown by the global Hercules fleet do not fully utilise payload or volume. That said, the main disadvantage – the interior height of the loading space – must not be overlooked. The exception in this class is the C-27, with an interior height of 260cm – compared to 275cm for the C-130 and a significant 400cm for the A400M. The C295 features a 190cm cabin height. A considerable proportion of equipment in use with infantry and special forces units can be transported in An-26 or C295s – for example, the new Aero 4x4 in use with the Polish Paratrooper Brigade and the Spanish Falcata – both vehicles for airborne forces – fit this category. The Czech armed forces have already conducted loading trials with the ENOK AB (Airborne) light tactical vehicle in its C295s – of which it operates six. Hungary and Cyprus have also ordered the ENOK AB. The specification written for the Czech paratroopers’ new combat vehicle explicitly requires the vehicle be transportable in the C295. The fact that the Czech 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade will shortly besubordinated to the German 10th Armoured Division at Veitshöchheim for exercise and deployment opens up scope for Czech C295s to be used for Bundeswehr light forces. The Bundeswehr has procured the ENOK 4.8 AB as a test carrier for the airborne platform project (Luftlandeplattform) – Germany and the Netherlands are collaborating in procurement of a mobility platform for their respective airborne forces. The ENOK 4.8 AB is designed for loading into a C295 with minimal preparation. With appropriate additional equipment, the C295 can also be used well as a Forward Arming and Refuelling Point (FARP). In addition to refuelling systems, platforms such as the Palfinger Crayler, or other light 4x4s can quickly set up the capability. The combination of commercially available systems – such as the ENOK 4.8 AB – the mobile refuelling system developed by Titan and used by the USMC as the TAGRS [Tactical Aviation Ground Refuelling System], offers a high-performance, land- and air- mobile FARP. Germany’s Rapid Forces Division [Division Schnelle Kräfte] has a FARP project, to be deployable by fixed- or rotary-wing aircraft. During the ‘Anaconda 20’ exercise the Polish armed forces deployed the C-130 and C295 together, leveraging the advantages of the two types and optimising flight movements efficiency. Statistical analysis by USAF Air Mobility Command showed the average height of the pallets was 1.41m, with a 1,221kg average mass. Pallet configuration tailored to smaller aircraft types can further increase the degree of utilisation. Feature MT 3/2022 · 43
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