Wed, Sep 08, 2010
Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) Application
Receives MCA
The Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) version
of its multi-mission TBM very fast turboprop aircraft has received
a Major Change Approval (MCA) from the EASA.
In announcing the MCA Tuesday, the
company said it is applicable to all TBM 700 and 850 models, and
will enable Daher-Socata to present the ISR version of its TBM-MMA
demonstrator to potential customers – which include
governmental organizations, military services, civilian agencies
and contract operators.
Daher-Socata’s TBM-MMA
demonstrator is a TBM 700B that has been outfitted for its
multi-mission aircraft (MMA) role with the Thales AGILE 2
gyro-stabilized multi-sensor turret. Located under the
aircraft’s aft fuselage, this electrically-driven turret is
fully-retractable, and accommodates up to four latest-generation
sensors – including infrared and electro-optical systems,
along with a laser rangefinder and a laser designator to mark
targets. “The EASA’s Major Change Approval is the
result of a multi-year development program, which has evolved a
highly affordable airborne intelligence, surveillance and
reconnaissance platform for both security and governmental
operators,” said Nicolas Chabbert, Senior Vice-President of
the Daher-Socata Airplane Division. “It brings together the
proven Thales Agile 2 multi-sensor system – which already is
in operation on several airborne and naval platforms worldwide,
with the TBM very fast turboprop.”
Control of the TBM MMA’s
retractable turret is performed from a “plug-and-play”
operator’s console inside the cabin. A joystick is provided
for the operator, and the console is configured to display imagery
from the turret, as well as handle signal processing. A
long-duration digital recording function also is available. The
console is designed for installation on all TBM models, enabling
both the TBM 700 and TBM 850 to perform observation, detection and
data-gathering missions. Easily installed on existing cabin floor
hard points, this console replaces the TBM’s existing
right intermediate seat. The installation weight is
approximately 290 lbs., enabling an equipped TBM 850 MMA to carry a
full fuel payload of 730 lbs. With a removal time of 30 minutes,
the TBM MMA can be quickly reconfigured to a passenger transport
configuration.
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