Turkish Navy commissioned second ATR-72 (called P-72 in Turkey) maritime patrol aircraft within the Meltem-III project scope on March 10, Prof. Ismail Demir, head of Turkish Defence Industries, announced with a tweet.
“We are always on duty to protect our national interests in the Blue Homeland. We delivered our second P-72 Maritime Patrol Aircraft as part of the Meltem-3 Project. Our P-72 Naval Patrol Aircraft will serve as the strategic element of our Navy in defense of the Blue Homeland.” Mr.Demir tweeted.
The first ATR-72 aircraft had arrived at Turkish Aerospace Industries facilities and was delivered to the Turkish Navy in December 2020; today’s delivery was the second of six aircraft.
MELTEM-III project:
The contract of the Meltem III Program, covering the procurement of a total of 6 ATR-72 aircraft and their modification into Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) configuration for the Turkish Navy was signed between Alenia Aermacchi S.p.A and Turkish Aerospace on July 2012. The first ATR-72 600 aircraft arrived at Turkish Aerospace’s facilities on April 19, 2013.
Within the program’s framework, as the main sub-contractor of Alenia, all modification activities will be carried out at Turkish Aerospace’s facilities. Turkish Aerospace’s work share includes Kit-A and tools manufacturing, procurement of material and support equipment, structural and electrical modification, assembly, test, Ground Flight Support, and Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) activities.
ATR-72 MPA:
ATR 72ASW is a middle-size aircraft equipped with state-of-the-art mission sensors and capable of carrying out maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare tasks.
The typical missions of this version include vessel search and identification, search and rescue (SAR), drug, smuggling and piracy control, environmental control (pollution by oil and chemical substances), maritime patrol roles, economic exclusive zone patrol (fishing, off-shore platforms), and Anti-Submarine Warfare.
The ATR 72ASW is equipped with AMASCOS maritime patrol mission system that includes:
- Electro-optical sensors
- Search radar (Ocean Master)
- ESM sensor (Electronic Support Measures)
- MAD sensor (Magnetic Anomaly Detector)
- Integrated self-protection system, (Chaff & Flare Dispenser, – Radar Warning, Missile Warning, Laser Warning)
- Sonobuoy launcher
- Anti-submarine torpedoes (Mk 46, Mk 54) carried on 2 pylons at the fuselage sides
The ATR 72ASW is equipped with new-generation communication systems. The data-link system connects in real-time with the ground command and control centers and other platforms, both on-air and on the sea, for coordination and maximum operations effectiveness. Its ESM and MAD sensors are entirely integrated within the mission system. With the on-board avionics that envisages the new glass cockpit configuration, typical of the latest ATR 72-600 series.
The ATR 72ASW can also be reconfigured with different systems and missile armaments to carry out anti-ship missions.
