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The twin-engine Tecnam P2006T MRI (Multisensor Reconnaissance and Identi cation) aircraft, developed by Spanish company Indra, has introduced to the market a new maritime patrol aircraft. Its makers claim the aircrafts low
acquisition and operating costs, ef ciency and reliability will enable customers to perform maritime surveillance more cost-effectively than by using helicopters and medium-sized aircraft.
The P2006T MRIs origins go back to 2009, when Indra took part in Operation Minerva, a trial by the Guardia Civil (Spanish Civil Guard) of an IAI Heron unmanned aircraft. That was part of the on-going SIVE
(Sistema Integrado de Vigilancia Exterior, or integrated exterior surveillance system) programme in the Canary Islands, which aims to improve coastal defence of Spains southern borders. The trial assessed the viability of unmanned vehicles for maritime patrol around the coast.
Indra installed a radar and electro-optical system in the Heron to ensure interoperability with the Guardia Civils
Indra hopes its P2006T MRI will prove a cost-effective option in the maritime patrol market.
Roberto Yez and Alex Rodriguez report
SpainsSpains
Sea Searcher
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The MRI is equipped with two reliable and economic-to-maintain Rotax engines, so that it could offer lower operating costs than other
medium-sized helicopters and aircraft. All images Roberto Yez
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Canary Island Regional Control Centre, as well as the real-time distribution of images from the aircrafts electro-optical sensor to the Guardia Civil Headquarters in Madrid. The results of the trial were promising, but the Herons high acquisition cost and the restrictions on operating unmanned aircraft inside civilian airspace meant a different solution was required.
The technicians at Indra subsequently
saw an opportunity to develop a new product: a maritime patrol aircraft based on an existing light aircraft, equipped with the latest-generation mission systems. This could provide a more immediate maritime patrol capability, while offering the opportunity to be converted into an unmanned aircraft in the future should the regulations eventually change.
Choosing a PlatformAfter evaluating various light aircraft, Indra chose the Italian twin-engine Tecnam P2006T. The type was picked because it has a high-wing configuration (which allows good visibility, vital in the maritime role), a reliable engine, cheap maintenance costs, sufficient payload, six-hour flight endurance and the latest-generation avionics. Other factors in
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its favour were the relatively quiet engines, small infrared signature, the fact that it can use either Avgas or automotive fuel and its ability to operate from short paved and unpaved runways.
International EffortIndra began converting a P2006T in mid-July 2011. It was a true international collaboration that also involved the P2006Ts manufacturer, Tecnam Costruzioni Aeronautiche Srl of Italy; Airborne Technologies GmbH of Austria; FLIR Systems PolyTech AB and CNS Systems AB of Sweden, and from the UK Enterprise Control Systems Ltd and SELEX Sensors and Airborne Systems. The latter provided its Seaspray 5000E multi-mode radar.
Airborne Technologies was charged with developing and undertaking the engineering modifications needed to install the different sensors and obtaining the corresponding Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) to ensure compatibility with Federal Aviation Administration FAR-23 and European Aviation Safety Agency CS-23 regulations, which govern light utility aircraft
of the P2006Ts class. Some of the modifications included
adapting the electrical distribution system, removing the fourth seat to enable carriage of the radar antenna, installing a
radome beneath the fuselage, adding the electro-optical system
and satellite communications antenna, converting the baggage compartment into an avionics bay and fitting control consoles for the operator and pilot.
Once the first airframe was modified,
tests were undertaken to verify the compatibility of the Seaspray radar in July and August 2012 at Cumbernauld Airport in Lanarkshire, north of Glasgow, close to Selexs factory. Then came the first phase
of test flights in an operational environment in Spain, which
included using the systems in heavy sea states.
Seaspray RadarThe Seaspray active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar is at the heart
of the P2006 MRIs capability. It is characterised by a compact size (the processors
dimensions are 500 x 260 x 210mm [19 x 10 x 8in]), relatively light
weight (48kg [105lb]) and an ability to detect small objects at long range.
The P2006T MRIs electro-optical package also features an UltraForce 275 high-definition forward-looking infrared (FLIR) system, with a built-in four-axis image stabilisation system that helps to make it possible to capture quality HD images. Its also got an Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponder that transmits and receives information from ships equipped with this
1 One of the MRIs principal selling points is that its not subject to export restrictions because its sensors and equipment are built in Europe. 2&4 Three-dimensional diagrams showing the three crew positions and the major mission systems installed in the forward fuselage of the P2006T MRI. 3 The systems operator has a rear station equipped with a touchscreen display from which they can rapidly manage the data received by the aircrafts sensors. 5 The P2006T is one of the lightest twin-engined aircraft in the world. 6&7 The ground support station is able to remotely control the sensors on the MRI. To do this it is equipped with a line of sight two-way communications link, although there is also an option to install a satellite communications system. 8 The flightdeck of the P2006T MRI is equipped with the digital Garmin 950 advanced avionics system, which only requires one pilot with a PPL/ME rating. 1
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type of transmitter and a high bandwidth two-way communication link, enabling real-time transmission of images and data with vessels and land-based command centres.
CapabilitiesThe P2006T MRI is designed for maritime patrol surveillance, with its primary objective to find, track and identify every ship of interest sailing inside its patrol zone. Its optimized to conduct missions between the shore and 241km (150 miles) out to sea covering an area of between 7,770km2 (3,000 square miles) and 12,950km2 (5,000 square miles).
The Seaspray radar uses both SAR (synthetic aperture radar) and ISAR (inverse synthetic aperture radar) images to identify objects and for example, make it possible to determine the approximate length of the ship, and establish the location of the bridge and masts. SAR/ISAR makes it possible to obtain radar images from targets 185km (100nm) away from the aircrafts position.
TransponderThe aircrafts AIS transponder then comes into play. Ships with a displacement greater than 300 gross tons, conducting international trade, passenger craft of any size and fishing vessels with a length greater than 18m (59ft) to 24m (78ft) are required to have AIS transponders, which show a vessels course, port of origin, destination, speed and location at all times.
By having such a transponder fitted, the P2006T MRI is able to compare the information presented by the transponder with the radar information. If there are discrepancies between them a visual
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confirmation can be made through the FLIR and the HD camera from a safe distance. The camera presents 1,920x1080 pixel HD images, offers 20x optical zoom and low light functionality.
The P2006T MRI is intended to fulfil a number of applications in the maritime and coastal border protection environment such as tracking vessels suspected of drug trafficking, combating illegal immigration, search and rescue, fisheries patrol, environmental protection (detection of oil
slicks) and tracking icebergs. However, the avionics fitted to the aircraft are also suitable for overland missions such as border patrol or cartography.
Ground Support StationNot only can the sensors be activated in flight by the pilot but they can also be operated remotely from a Ground Support Station (Estacin de Seguimiento en Tierra, or EST). This terminal communicates with the aircraft through the Indra ISIS
mission control system, which is capable of receiving and transmitting simultaneously and in real-time all the information acquired by the sensors and supporting tactical data. Theres also a VHF radio for voice communication with the crew. Both the ground station and the aircraft systems present information in a similar way, so personnel can operate either depending on the specific needs of the mission.
The EST stores all the information transmitted from the aircraft, allowing for a detailed post-flight analysis of the mission. The internet protocol external interface makes it possible to integrate information received from other platforms, such as VoIP, email, file transfer protocols and databases. The mission support centre also has the capability of controlling simultaneously the mission of several aircraft in the same zone.
Promising Future During 2012 and 2103 the P2006T MRI was presented at various aerospace trade shows and conferences, including the Aero Friedrichshafen in Germany; the Defence Services Asia exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Farnborough International; FIDAE in Chile; the Marrakech Air Show
MILITARY INDRA P2006T MRI
The P2006T MRI can operate day and night with a time on station of between five and six hours.
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in Morocco, and the IQPC Maritime Surveillance Summit in Rome.
Given the number of countries that need to protect their maritime interests there is great potential for international sales. The aircraft is primarily targeted at costal countries in South East Asia, Africa and South America that are looking for affordable maritime patrol aircraft. Indra says it is 40% cheaper to acquire and costs 50% less to operate than other maritime surveillance platforms.
Operation IndaloThe Guardia Civil asked Indra to deploy a P2006T MRI during the 2013 edition of Operation Indalo, the initiative by Frontex, the European Border Control Agency, to combat illegal immigration from North Africa. Between May and October eleven European Union member countries provided air and sea patrol assets: Luxemburg sent its Fairchild SW3A Merlin 3, Finland a Bombardier Dash 8, Slovakia a Cessna 182T, Italy an ATR-42MPA, Portugal a C295 Persuader and Iceland a Dornier 228. The operation was managed from the Guardia Civils International Coordination Center in Almera, with the support of local control centres linked via the integrated exterior surveillance system (SIVE).
The deployment of the P2006T MRI in Operation Indalo which has been taking place annually since 2011 enabled the aircraft to demonstrate its capabilities alongside similar platforms. Over the first two months it operated over the Alboran Sea off the southern coast of Spain with a team of five personnel. It undertook 56 missions, with another five cancelled due to adverse weather conditions and detected two craft with 38 illegal immigrants on board. The MRI was present in the area of operations for more than 230 hours.
Operation Indalo 2013 resulted in the interception of 3,300 immigrants, 148 vessels, carried out 318 rescue missions and facilitated the arrest of eight human traffickers. The operation also contributed to the fight against drug and tobacco trafficking, resulting in seizures of 25,000kg (55,115lb) of hashish and 50,000 packets of tobacco a total of 71 arrests were made.
PERSEUSThe P2006T MRIs effectiveness in Operation Indalo was such that in September 2013 the Guardia Civil requested the aircrafts participation in the PERSEUS programme. PERSEUS, which stands for Protection of European Borders and Seas
INDRA P2006T MRI MILITARY
P2006T MRI FACTS & FIGURES
Maximum speed at sea level: 140kts (259km/h)
Cruising speed at 7,000ft (2,113m): 131kts (242km/h)
Cruising speed at 9,000ft (2,743m): 122kts (225km/h)
Rate of climb: 1,190ft/min (362.7m/min)
Range: 500nm (926km)
Maximum altitude on two engines: 14,000ft (4,267m)
Maximum altitude on one engine: 6,000ft (1,828m)
Take-off run: 235m (771ft)
Landing run: 190m (623ft)
Wingspan: 11.4m (37ft 4in)
Length: 8.7m (28ft 6in)
Height: 2.85m (9ft 3in)
Maximum take-off weight: 1,230kg (2,711lb)
Payload: 380kg (837lb)
Engines: Rotax 912S3
Propellers: MT Propeller MTV-21
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through the Intelligent Use of Surveillance, is focused on developing innovative technologies to improve the real-time sharing of maritime surveillance between southern European countries.
The demonstration involving the P2006T MRI again took place over the Alboran Sea.
It consisted of a vessel being detected by a Guardia Civil CN235 VIGMA (Vigilancia Martima, Maritime Surveillance), which then handed over tracking of the vessel to the MRI, culminating with an interception of the boat near the coast by a Guardia Civil cutter. All the data received by the Guardia
Civil National Coordination Center was passed in real time to the other components of the PERSEUS system located in France, Italy and Portugal thus giving all the participating countries a complete picture of all the routes and activities of the illegal boat traffic.
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