L3 Shows Multi-mission Conversion of Bombardier Q400L3 Shows Multi-mission Conversion of Bombardier Q400 July 26, 2018
L3 Aerospace Systems flew its Q400 multi-mission aircraft (MMA) demonstrator to the Farnborough Airshow to make its international debut last week. The company has been developing this conversion of the Bombardier twin-turboprop airliner for more than five years. It has identified nine missions that can be performed, ranging from maritime surveillance through ISR to firefighting. There are “several interested customers,” Cliff Henry, senior program manager for airborne multi-mission systems, told AIN.
Henry said that L3 evaluated the ATR42/72 and Airbus C235/C295 turboprops and the Embraer KC-390 jet airlifter before choosing the Q400. The winning criteria included a robust airframe with good climb and cruise performance, plus no need for modifications to the electrical or cooling systems. L3 took delivery of a green airframe from Bombardier as long ago as November 2012, to conduct initial flight tests. The modified MMA demonstrator made its first flight last November.