Follows Delivery Of First Maritime Surveillance Plane

Following a Toronto hand-over ceremony of the third Maritime Surveillance Aircraft (MSA) for the Japan Coast Guard, Field Aviation's modification center has captured a follow-on contract for a further three Bombardier Dash 8 Q300 MSA destined for Japan, bringing the total contract to eight aircraft.

This brings to 33 the number of Bombardier aircraft Field Aviation will have modified for use as patrol and surveillance platforms for six national governments worldwide: USA, Australia, Japan, Sweden, Iceland and Denmark.

The maritime surveillance modifications include unique, Field Aviation designed features such as an air-operable rear cargo door and a fuselage drop hatch, both facilitating airborne dispersal of life rafts, survival supplies and paratroops. As well, the aircraft will have a missionized, crew-station interior, large, conformal observation windows and fuselage structural mods.

David Jensen, Field Aviation vice-president, business development, said with global security a growing need, Field's engineered and fully-developed MSAs are attracting strong international interest.

"Since 1996, we have developed a reputation for integration of fully missionized, turnkey MSA platforms, replacing aging aircraft as well as opening up new markets with the Q Series airplanes," he said, adding Field's focus on specialty modifications has become strength of the company's technical service offerings.

Latest technology surveillance sensors include a 360 degree surface search radar, a stabilized electro-optical multi-spectral imaging payload, as well as a new suite of modern mission navigation and communications systems. The final three aircraft in the contract are slated for completion and final delivery from Field by January of 2011.

FMI: www.fieldav.com