Australian company Skytraders has purchased two (2) EADS CASA C-212-400 military transport aircraft. The aircraft will be operated in the Antarctic and will be used to transport troops and equipment between the Australian stations and several remote areas in that region.
Dr. Sharman Stone, Parliamentary Secretary for the Antarctic, commented that the robustness of the C-212-400 and its capacity to take-off and land on short runways make it the ideal aircraft for conditions in Antarctica.
“Until now, we have relied to a large degree on helicopters to ferry personnel from stations into the field. And while helicopters will still have a role, the EADS CASA C-212-400 aircraft has the advantages of being able to fly greater distances carrying larger loads and fly in adverse weather conditions where a helicopter could not”, said Dr. Stone.
The aircraft will be prepared to carry additional fuel tanks, both internal and external, giving it a flight range of around 2300 nautical miles.
The first aircraft will be delivered 10 months after the contract’s signature and the second aircraft a month later.
EADS (www.eads.net) is a global aerospace and defence company and is the world’s second largest in terms of revenues with € 29.9 billion in 2002. EADS has a workforce of more than 100,000 and is a market leader in defence technology, commercial aircraft, helicopters, space, military transport and combat aircraft, as well as related services. It’s family of leading brands includes the commercial aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the world's largest helicopter manufacturer Eurocopter, the space company Astrium and MBDA, the world’s second largest missile company. EADS is the biggest partner in the Eurofighter consortium and heads the A400M military transport aircraft programme. The company has over 70 sites in Germany, France, Great Britain and Spain. It is active in many regions worldwide, including the U.S., Russia and Asia.
Eduardo Galicia
Communications
EADS CASA
+34-91-585 77 89
