Tecnam reports that the first Tecnam P2006T MRI (Multi-Sensor Reconnaissance and Identification) aircraft is now operating in South Africa.
The aircraft is being operated by CSS Tactical, a local security company specializing in armed response, perimeter protection, and CCTV monitoring. In a joint agreement with INDRA, it will be marketing, selling and operating the P2006T MRI system in several countries in Africa.
Developed by INDRA, the Tecnam MRI has been specifically developed to patrol those maritime zones currently kept under surveillance by coastguards utilizing medium-size helicopters and large maritime patrol aircraft.
The MRI system is also designed to fulfill many other specialist tasks including maritime safety, search and rescue, fisheries protection, oil field protection, marine environmental protection, drugs interdiction, illegal immigration interdiction and other law enforcement missions, according to company officials.
It includes a Seaspray 5000E Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) multi-mode surveillance radar from SELEX Galileo that can use several modes simultaneously. Electro-optical and infrared sensors (Ultra Force 275) are supplied by FLIR Systems. Other equipment includes an AIS (Automatic Identification System) transponder for identifying ships, which is integrated with the radar picture. All information that is gathered is recorded and transferred in real time to a ground station via a datalink.
Tecnam’s P2006T airframe was selected by INDRA as the base platform for the MRI due to reliability, economy of operation, maintainability and performance, according to company officials. The Tecnam P2006T is powered by two four cylinder Rotax 912S3 engines delivering 100 hp each. Fully retractable landing gear allows for an uninterrupted view for the sensors.
For more information: Tecnam.com