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| Malaysia's CN-235 MSA Aircraft |
Kuala Lumpur - The United States has finally sent a maritime modified CN-235 aircraft to Malaysia. More precisely, the aircraft was integrated with Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) enhancements.
Where this is done in collaboration with the Naval Air Systems Command Security Cooperation Office and the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) AIRWorks.
Gerald Swift as head of AIRWorks, NAWCAD office said this is one of the new challenges. “Our collective international team has overcome extraordinary challenges during the recent worldwide pandemic to deliver this capability. We are very excited to deliver this first aircraft.
Quoted from navy.mil, the office focuses on the rapid and effective delivery of warfighter capabilities. Where used to meet the urgent needs of warfighters.
The upgrade includes a maritime surveillance mission suite, maritime surveillance radar, electro-optic infrared tower, line-of-sight datalink and roll-on and roll-off mission system operator station.
Meanwhile, compatible mobile and fixed ground stations were also delivered to enhance the RMAF's ISR capability. “The Partner Capacity Building Program represents the highest return on engagement to the United States,” said Ron Weinberger, director, Office of Security Cooperation at Naval Air Systems Command.
"Malaysia's CN-235 program will be a significant force multiplier for Malaysia's ISR capability and will directly support the joint efforts of Malaysia and the US to ensure global security in the Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility," he said.
The project CN-235 was flown to Indonesia for completion and testing in September 2020 amid COVID-19 restrictions and the first flight took place in October 2021.
Work on the two remaining CN-235 aircraft and several ground stations is continuing and is expected to be completed by 2022.
Quoted from Defense Security Asia, the CN-235 was flown to the PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) facility in Bandung. Then, to undergo modification work in September 2020 and the first flight was carried out in October 2021.
Please note, the first CN-235 of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has been modified to the Maritime Surveillance Aircraft (MSA) platform.
According to a USN statement on its website, the effort falls under USN's Building Partner Capacity program. Where it aims to assist the Malaysian government in improving security and monitoring of the country's maritime domain.