Maritime Q300 Surveillance Aircraft Operates For The Icelandic Coast Guard

The Icelandic Coast Guard (ICG) has employed a highly-modified Dash 8 Q300 Maritime Surveillance Aircraft (MSA) in capturing valuable data and images of the Icelandic volcano that recently erupted, disrupting flights across much of Europe. The airplane was delivered by Field Aviation in 2009. Although performing outside its regular Maritime Surveillance flight duties, the aircraft was successfully pressed into emergency service as a 'volcano watch' platform. 

The Eyjafjallajökull volcano erupted at 0830 local time on April 14, 2010, and the first images of the sub-glacial crater were captured by special radar equipment on the MSA.  It is the only Icelandic aircraft with the necessary equipment needed to position accurately the eruption site in zero-visibility conditions. 

Since the eruption, geophysicists, volcanologists and other scientists have used the aircraft to gather new information about volcanic activity.

Icelandic Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management geophysicist Magnus Tumi Gudmundsson said, "Using the MSA and its technology has provided a totally new perspective on volcanic eruptions in Iceland.  The radar instruments aboard the aircraft are quite miraculous, they can actually see through the volcanic plumes making it possible to photograph the development and exact location of the crater.

"The use of the MSA has been vitally important in gathering information about this volcano, information which will be used to understand the activity of other volcanoes that erupt frequently in Iceland."

The original Dash 8 Q300 was also equipped with long-range fuel capabilities and an auxiliary power unit, enabling it to perform missions lasting more than eight hours.  Modifications included a Maritime Search Radar, Side-Looking Airborne Radar (SLAR) and an Electro-Optical/ Infra-Red pod (FLIR); all of which are connected and controlled with an L-3 Communications integrated data handling system.

Field Aviation also undertook a series of structural modifications to the Dash 8, which included designing, engineering and integrating a new interior, and installing the Q300's proprietary Active Noise and Vibration System. The company has also designed and approved a flight operable rear cargo door used to deploy location flares, paradrop personnel, oil sampling buoys, and inflatable rafts. 

Field Aviation's Joar Gronlund said, "It is satisfying to know the aircraft we delivered to Icelandic Coast Guard has proven so successful in its chosen missions.  Each MSA/ MPA Field Aviation delivers requires unique, customized modifications and I am pleased that our work on the Icelandic MSA has continued our tradition of success."  Field Aviation has modified more than 30 aircraft for maritime and surveillance roles, and its work has become renowned the world over for technical superiority.

FMI: www.lhg.is/english, www.fieldav.com