Alenia Aeronautica, ROME: Alenia Aeronautica, a Finmeccanica Company, has signed with Nigeria a contract (programme value: 73 million US dollars) for the supply of two ATR42MP Surveyor aircraft. The two airplanes, in a completely disarmed version, will be delivered starting in 2009. The two ATRs will be used by the Nigerian Air Force for maritime patrol of the exclusive economic zone, for search and rescue and for marine environmental control.
The contract envisages also pilot and systems operator training, logistic support at the operational base – Benin City, at around 400 km from Lagos – and spare parts to assure the machines a high operational efficiency.
The Nigerian ATR42MPs, in a version similar to the one already in service with the Italian Coast Guard, will be equipped with ATOS, Airborne Tactical Observation and Surveillance System made by Galileo Avionica, which includes search radar and also EOST-45, electro optic surveillance and tracking sensor, again made by Galileo Avionica. Furthermore, unlike the aircraft already in service in Italy, the Nigerian ATRs will have a hatch that can be opened in flight on the cabin floor for SAR and air-drop use.
The ATR42MP is the maritime patrol version of the ATR42 regional transport aircraft – currently the most successful turboprop regional aircraft family – ad-hoc designed, developed and manufactured by Alenia Aeronautica.
The aircraft plays, at relatively low costs, roles of maritime patrol; search & rescue; monitoring and rescue in case of environmental disasters such as, for instance, oil or chemical pollution; surveillance of national waters and of exclusive economic zones.
The ATR42MP, of which 7 units have been ordered so far, is already operational in Italy with the Customs Coast Watch (Guardia di Finanza), that has been its launch customer, and with the Italian Coast Guard.
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