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ATR-72 ASW
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In July 2005, Turkey’s SSM defence procurement authority signed a contract to meet its Meltem 3 requirement for 10 maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft. It ordered a dedicated version of the ATR 72-500 regional transport turboprop, called the ATR 72 ASW.

The aircraft will have a new glass cockpit and mission and sensor suite provided by Thales Airborne Systems, including a surveillance radar, electro-optical sensor, magnetic anomaly detector, acoustic processing system, and sonobuoy and weapon launchers. The modified aircraft will have a maximum take-off weight of 22,500 kg/ 49,600 pounds, and can loiter for 6 hours at 370 km/ 200 nm from its base. A recent release clarified both the size of the contract, and distribution of its work…

Contracts and Key Events

Alenia will conduct systems integration and installation work, as well as performing airframe modifications in Turkey with local companies. Certification of the new variant will be carried out by Italy’s military authorities. Turkish engineers will also participate in the program in Italy, providing the basis for joint in-service support for the aircraft.

Note that ATR is a 50-50 partnership between Finmeccania subsidiary Alenia Aeronautica and EADS.

Feb 13/09: In the wake of L’Espresso’s article “Cose turche all’Alenia” (Alenia involved in shady dealings in Turkey), Finmeccanica issues a release [PDF format] that clarifies a number of details.

First, the total cost with all missions systems and sensors will be EUR 260 million, not EUR 360 million in the magazine report. The EUR 180 million stated in the company’s original release appears to involve the base ATR-72 airframes only.

All airframe production and design are taking place in Italy. The Turkish production line is handling the structural modifications involved in installing the the aircraft’s systems and sensors, which the firm claims amounts to less than 5% of the total contract.

July 21/05: Finmeccanica announces [PDF format] a $219 million/ EUR 180 million deal with Turkey for 10 ATR 72 ASW (Anti Submarine Warfare) aircraft, with deliveries expected to start in 2010.

Additional Readings & Sources

• ATR 72 ASW – Official Web Page

• Flight International (July 6/05) – Tactical Italian