CASA C-295

Airbus Defence and Space (CASA) · Spain · first flew 1997 · transport aircraft

The C-295 is a medium tactical transport and maritime-patrol turboprop, a stretched and more powerful development of the CN-235.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — WingsHigh-mounted, tapered
E — Engines2 × turboprop, wing-mounted
F — FuselageLong slender high-wing fuselage with rear ramp
T — TailConventional

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

Look for the long, slender high-wing fuselage with a rear cargo ramp, clearly stretched compared with the CN-235. The turboprops drive six-blade propellers. A tall single tail carries a distinctive dorsal fillet.

Specifications

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Derived from the earlier CN-235, the C-295 first flew in 1997 and entered Spanish service from 2001. Its longer fuselage and uprated PW127 engines gave a useful jump in payload and range. It has since become one of the most successful modern tactical airlifters.

Variants

Versions include the C-295M transport, the winglet-equipped C-295W, maritime patrol and anti-submarine models, the Canadian CC-295 Kingfisher, an AC-295 gunship and a KC-295 tanker. Licence assembly takes place in Indonesia and India. More than 300 have been ordered.

Where you'll see it

It serves around 38 nations in transport, search-and-rescue, maritime patrol and special-mission roles, though the UK operates the larger A400M and C-130J instead. Its export success spans every continent. The type continues in production.

Related aircraft

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