CASA/IPTN CN-235

The CASA/IPTN CN-235 is a medium-range twin-engined <a href="/facts/Military_transport_aircraft/r3AeoD8A">transport aircraft</a> that was jointly developed by <a href="/facts/CASA_(aircraft_manufacturer)/z726esKI">CASA</a> of <a href="/facts/Spain/bIyrB8EY">Spain</a> and <a href="/facts/Indonesia/vQnWU3IW">Indonesian</a> manufacturer <a href="/facts/Indonesian_Aerospace/D9v11GdT">IPTN</a>. It is operated as both a regional airliner and military transport; its primary military roles include <a href="/facts/Military_transport_aircraft/r3AeoD8A">air transport</a> and <a href="/facts/Aerial_surveillance/9ae9ulxs">aerial surveillance</a>.
Development of the CN-235 formally commenced in 1980 following the formation of the Airtech International <a href="/facts/Joint_venture/f2Fv8QqA">joint venture</a> on 17 October 1979. Its existence was publicly unveiled at the 1981 <a href="/facts/Paris_Airshow/B6CYMEQr">Paris Airshow</a>. On 11 November 1983, the prototype CN-235 conducted its <a href="/facts/Maiden_flight/LW569ILn">maiden flight</a>; the first production aircraft followed on 19 August 1986. On 1 March 1988, the aircraft was put into regular service. Early on, the production of each aircraft was divided, 65% being performed by IPTN while the remainder was performed by CASA. The vast majority of CN-235s have been produced for military customers, several airlines have opted to buy limited numbers for regional services as well. In addition to the standard aircraft, specialised CN-235s have been configured into armed <a href="/facts/Gunship/xmS4cHEF">gunships</a> and <a href="/facts/Maritime_patrol_aircraft/BNXaRGVj">maritime patrol aircraft</a>.
While both the development and early production of the CN-235 had been performed as a joint effort, the partnership arrangement between CASA and IPTN was only applicable to the Series 10 and Series 100/110 aircraft. Some of the later versions of the CN-235 have been developed by each company independently of the other's efforts. Accordingly, both companies have produced their own derivatives of the aircraft, such as the stretched <a href="/facts/EADS_CASA_C-295/pbbG06sH">EADS CASA C-295</a> and the passenger-orientated <a href="/facts/Indonesian_Aerospace_N-245/Jwu7QcKF">Indonesian Aerospace N-245</a>. Over 240 of all versions of CN-235 are in service, and the type has reportedly accumulated more than 500,000 flight hours. Its largest user is <a href="/facts/Turkey/KIYAWAs0">Turkey</a>, which operates 59 aircraft.

CASA/IPTN CN-235 open-in-new

CASA/IPTN CN-235