The sophistication of the Made in RI Aircraft which is selling well abroad
The sophistication of aircraft made in Indonesia is increasingly recognized by the world. Various countries are now queuing up to buy Indonesian-produced aircraft which are proven to have advanced features and technology.
One of the aircraft from Indonesia that is highly targeted by various countries is the CN-235. This aircraft is produced by PT Dirgantara Indonesia (Persero) and consists of two types, namely CN235-220 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) and CN235-220.
Several countries that have requested and purchased the PTDI-made aircraft include Venezuela, Senegal, Burkina Faso, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Turkey, Malaysia, South Korea, Thailand, Nepal, and Brunei Darussalam. The CN-235 is in great demand because it is multifunctional. Besides being able to be used for military needs, this aircraft can also be operated for commercial flights and private flights.
This year, PTDI has exported CN-235 aircraft, one of which is to Senegal. The export will be carried out in March 2021. The exported CN-235/MPA aircraft are planned to be used by Senegal for patrolling the Air Force.
This year's export to Senegal is PTDI's third shipment to the country. Previously, Senegal had purchased the CN-235 in 2011 and 2014.
For this shipment, PTDI is now recorded as having produced and delivered 69 CN235 aircraft for both domestic and foreign needs. This strengthens PTDI's position as the only CN235 aircraft manufacturer in the world. Currently, there are about 286 CN235 aircraft in the world.
Aircraft CN235-220. (Doc. PT DI) Photo: Airplane CN235-220. (Doc. PT DI)
Aircraft CN235-220. (Doc. PT DI)
On September 21, PTDI also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Turkish Aerospace from Turkey for aircraft industry collaboration, one of which involved the CN-235 flying aircraft. The signing of this MoU is to improve and strengthen the cooperative relationship that has existed between PTDI and Turkish Aerospace.
This cooperation allows PTDI in the future to be involved in Turkey's steps to modernize their CN-235 aircraft. In addition, collaboration in the development and purchase of the N219 aircraft was also agreed upon in the MoU.
As a multifunctional aircraft, one of the advantages of the CN-235 is the many configurations it has. This aircraft can be configured to meet 5 different needs namely troop/paratrooper transport, configuration for VIP, configuration for medical evacuation, passenger and cargo aircraft.
The CN-235 aircraft is also in great demand because of its ability to take off in short distances and on unpaved runways. In addition, the aircraft is equipped with a rear door and has a range of up to 1,773 km or approximately 11 hours. This capability is owned by the CN-235 because the glass cockpit avionics technology, autopilot, and winglets on the aircraft wing make this vehicle stable and fuel-efficient.
The CN-235 type 220 has a carrying capacity of up to 4,700 kg or 36 passengers. This aircraft can fly up to an altitude of 25,000 feet, and a speed of up to 231 kts. This aircraft is equipped with a General Electric GE CT7-9C turboprop engine.
For military purposes, this aircraft can carry a load of up to 5,200 kg or carry around 49 soldiers. The aircraft can also be relied on to carry out humanitarian missions, search and rescue, border patrols, and other special missions.
The various cutting-edge technologies and sophistication make this aircraft have a price of around Rp. 400 billion. Currently, the government continues to develop the CN-235 so that it can be used more optimally for commercial aviation purposes, especially as a liaison for the archipelago. Indonesian-made aircraft are the target of the world because of their sophistication. Some time ago, PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI) exported one CN235-220 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) aircraft worth Rp354 billion. The export of the domestically made aircraft is for the Senegal Air Force's Ferry Flight activities. Interested in the world, what are the advantages of this aircraft? Here are 4 facts about the CN235-220 aircraft summarized by Okezone, and quoted by FMM on Saturday (9/10/2021):
1. Can Fly Eight Hours, Efficient Fuel The glass cockpit avionics system in the CN235-220 aircraft allows this iron bird to fly for eight hours. In addition, this aircraft will also be more fuel-efficient because of the autopilot and winglets on the tips of the wings.
2. Shorter Takeoff Distance Unlike aircraft in general, the CN235-220 can take off on a clump and unpaved runway. What's more, the take-off distance is also shorter than that of an ordinary plane.
3. Sophisticated Aircraft with Various Sensor Programs Even more sophisticated, this Patrol Aircraft has three programs that support radar needs. There is the Tactical Console (TACCO), Forward-Looking Infra-Red (FLIR), to the Automatic Identification System (AIS). TACCO is a 360⁰ search radar that can detect small targets up to 200 NM (Nautical Mile). Meanwhile, FLIR is used to detect and classify targets. Then, AIS comes to be an automatic tracking system to identify ships, so they can get the position of suspicious objects. The CN235-220 aircraft is capable of recording the situation around the flying area for mission evaluation, both in hot day and night conditions.
4. There are 69 Aircraft Stocks and PTDI The Only Producer President Director of PT DI Elfien Goentoro said the company has succeeded in producing and delivering 69 units of CN235 aircraft for domestic and overseas. From a total of 286 population units of CN235 series aircraft in the world, currently, PT DI is the only aircraft manufacturing industry in the world that produces these aircraft.
