Alenia Aermacchi Anti-submarine Warfare Aircraft ATR 72ASW

The ATR 72ASW is a multirole anti-submarine warfare aircraft with very affordable costs, developed and built by Alenia Aermacchi from the platform of the modern ATR 72-600 regional turboprop. It is the only mid-sized, new-design aircraft available on the market for this specific role. The Turkish Navy launched the program with an order for eight aircraft. With its state of the art mission sensors, the ATR 72 ASW can identify and fight submarines. It is also predisposed to receive specific sensors and missile systems for the anti-shipping role. Finally, it can also be used for maritime patrol, search and rescue (SAR), to fight illegal trafficking, for environmental monitoring and territorial water security (fisheries and off-shore platforms). The primary ATR 72MP duties are maritime patrol for surface vessel search and identification, search and rescue (SAR), prevention of piracy, contraband and narcotics smuggling, environmental monitoring and disaster clean up (against oil or chemical spills), territorial water security. It can also carry personnel or paratroops. ASW-specific role equipment includes a sono-buoy launcher, Magnetic Anomaly Detector (MAD), two pylons for Mk 46 or Mk 54 LWT torpedoes, ASW weapon release point calculator. The mission system comprises four workstations and is based on three main sensors (electro-optical turret, search radar and Electronic Support Measures sensors) fully integrated within the mission system and with the flight avionics. The fully integrated self-protection suite includes chaff & flare launchers and radar, missile and laser warning. The configuration also includes an Automatic Identification System (AIS), secure communications systems (Link 11/16) and broadband satellite systems to share information in real time with other platforms (whether in the air or on the surface) or with command and control centers. The aircraft is also equipped with a flight-operable door (or, alternatively, a rear belly hatch) to drop paratroopers or emergency kits and sports large observation windows. The aircraft uses the ATR 72-600 glass cockpit, with full digital avionics.