The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) has initiated a contract with Airbus Defence and Space (ADS) in collaboration with Thales, to conduct a detailed risk assessment study for the maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) initiative.
This study is an extension of the previous architectural and feasibility analysis that commenced at the end of 2022.
The primary objective of this 24-month contract is to set the stage for the development and production phase of the maritime patrol aircraft programme, which is scheduled to kick off towards the end of 2026.
The study aims to build upon the preliminary findings from the earlier architectural study, refining the economic and industrial parameters for executing the program.
It will guide the technical decisions for the systems integration on the aircraft and facilitate the initial wind-tunnel experiments.
The A321 MPA, a military adaptation of the Airbus A321XLR, is engineered to fulfil the operational needs of the French Navy.
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This entails especially in anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare, as well as intelligence operations, across varying intensities.
The French Navy intends to deploy the new aircraft to replace the Atlantique 2 fleet at the Lann-Bihoué naval air base, with a target operational window between 2030 and 2040.
The A321 MPA is expected to exhibit long-range and high agility, even at low altitudes, and will be outfitted with a suite of maritime patrol-specific sensors.
Thales will contribute to this technology, providing radar systems with active antennas, acoustic systems with sonar buoys, magnetic anomaly detection, electronic and electro-optical warfare systems, and self-protection mechanisms.
The aircraft will also be equipped with communication systems, including satellite connectivity, and will be armed for anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare with torpedoes and the upcoming anti-ship missile.
Its spacious cargo bay and the open architecture of its mission system ensure adaptability over its service life to address new threats.
ADS head and executive vice-president Jean-Brice Dumont said: “The A321 MPA (Maritime Patrol Aircraft) has all the assets to become a true flying frigate capable of responding to the wide range of missions entrusted to the French maritime patrol.”
ADS brings experience in converting commercial aircraft for military use, as demonstrated by the A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport.
The company also possesses expertise in integrating sensors and mission systems on various aircraft models, with more than 170 units actively serving in different maritime patrol and surveillance roles.
