C-295 Aircraft: Key Features for IAF

The C-295 aircraft has successfully completed its maiden test flight at the newly inaugurated Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Vadodara, Gujarat. This achievement represents a significant milestone for domestic aviation manufacturing.

Introduction & Concept Overview

The C-295 program is a trailblazer in Indian defense history by marking the first time a military aircraft is being manufactured in India by a private sector consortium. It is jointly built by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus Defence and Space.

Key Features of C-295 Aircraft

The Airbus C-295 is a robust and highly versatile tactical airlift platform designed to operate efficiently under extreme geographical and climatic conditions. The key features of the craft include:

• Payload and Troop Capacity: The aircraft can carry up to 9.2 tonnes of payload, 71 passengers or 50 fully equipped paratroopers.
• Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL): It is engineered to operate from short, unprepared, or unpaved airstrips, allowing access to remote locations.
• Multi-Mission Capability: It features a quick-change configuration by allowing it to seamlessly transition from cargo and troop transport to medical evacuation (Medevac), humanitarian disaster relief or maritime patrol.
• Advanced Avionics: It is equipped with a modern glass cockpit and digital flight decks which will help in reducing pilot workload and increase the situational awareness in complex tactical environments.
• Rear Ramp Door: It has a rear ramp door for quick loading, unloading and aerial dropping of supplies.

Key Facts & Figures to Memorize

The following are critical data and facts to remember about the C-295 aircraft:

• Primary operational role: To replace the IAF’s legacy Avro-748 transport fleet.
• Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) capabilities: Allows the aircraft to land and take off from the IAF's advanced landing grounds (ALGs) in sensitive border regions.
• Payload capacity: Up to 9.2 tonnes of payload.
• Troop capacity: Up to 71 passengers or 50 fully equipped paratroopers.

Memory Tricks & Mnemonics

To remember the key features of the C-295 aircraft, you can use the following mnemonic:

• C-295: C
• Cargo, 2
• Two engines, 9
• Nine tonnes of payload, 5
• Five key features (STOL, multi-mission, advanced avionics, rear ramp door, and payload capacity).

Frequently Asked in Exams

The C-295 aircraft is a significant topic for various exams, including:

• UPSC: The C-295 aircraft is relevant to the Indian defense and aviation sector, making it a potential topic for the UPSC exams.
• SSC: The C-295 aircraft is also relevant to the SSC exams, particularly in the general awareness and current affairs sections.
• Railway: The C-295 aircraft may be relevant to the railway exams, particularly in the general knowledge and current affairs sections.