Photo Credit Andrew Cline, Field Aviation Field Aviation successfully completed the first air worthiness test flight of Boeing's ...
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| Photo Credit Andrew Cline, Field Aviation |
Field Aviation successfully completed the first air worthiness test flight of Boeing's Bombardier Challenger 604 based Maritime Surveillance Aircraft (MSA) demonstrator.
The four-hour flight was conducted on Feb. 28 from Pearson International Airport, Toronto. Field Aviation modified the Bombardier Challenger 604 aircraft’s structures and systems into the MSA configuration.
The flight verified that the handling qualities of the aircraft had not been affected by the airframe modifications. Field Aviations modifications to the airframe and systems included the design, manufacture and installation of provisions for Search Radar, retractable EO/IR camera, ESM, Comint and other communication systems.
Boeings MSA program aim towards providing a low-risk and cost-effective maritime surveillance solution designed for search and rescue, anti-piracy patrols and coastal and border security. The Boeing owned 604 demonstrator platform based upon which Boeing will develop its MSA program based on the Bombardier Challenger 605 mid-sized business jet.
"We accomplished everything we set out to achieve," Field Aviation Pilot Craig Tylski said. "The aerodynamic performance was right on the money and even with the additional aerodynamic shapes, such as the radome, the demonstrator performed like a normal aircraft. The control and handling were excellent."
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| Photo Credit Parr Yonemoto |
Following this first fight, the MSA demonstrator has been flown to a Boeing facility in Yuma, Arizona, where Field Aviation will complete additional flight tests, leading to FAA and Transport Canada certification. Additional airworthiness flights are scheduled for the next two months. Once they are complete, the aircraft will fly to a Boeing facility in Seattle, for integration of the MSA's sensors and communications subsystems.
MSA uses proven technologies developed for Boeing's P-8A Poseidon program to provide multi-mission surveillance capabilities. The baseline configuration features an Active Electronically Scanned Array multi-mode radar, an Electro/Optical/Infrared sensor, Electronic Support Measures, a Communications Intelligence sensor and Automated Identification System.
Challenger 605 was selected due to its power, payload capacity, range, speed and endurance for MSA’s missions. Toronto based Field Aviation has engineering and modification experience with the Challenger family of aircraft to modify the jet.
