UAE Defence Force opts for new French utility aircraft

Posted on 9 June 2010 in Defence

The UAE Defence Force is investing in a new turboprop from France and has signed an MoU for up to ten of the utility aircraft.

Speaking at ILA, the Berlin air show, French manufacturer GECI said the deal for the SK-105 Skylanders had been made earlier this year although reports at the show suggested it was confirmed as recently as last week.

Sky Aircraft, a subsidiary of GECI,   has already cut first metal for the twin turboprop after making major changes to the design of the light utility aircraft.

The new design was publicly revealed yesterday at ILA in the form of a model on its stand.

“At the last Paris air show, the most important feedback we collected was to increase the economic speed, improve take-off and landing performance and – for potential customers in Africa – better range with maximum passengers,” GECI International vice-president marketing and sales Alfonso Ruggiero, said at the show..

“If we keep the same engine, the only solution was to reduce drag,” he adds. “We already had some trade-offs in the pot, and we decided to apply them.”

This resulted in the deletion of the strut between the landing gear sponson and the wing, a reduction in the number of main landing gear wheels from four to two, and an extended, more aerodynamically efficient nose and cockpit. Also introduced were changes to the profile of the leading edge of the wing and double-slotted trailing edge flaps.

Market interest in the revamped Skylander is building, says Ruggiero. “Last week I was in Abu Dhabi for discussions with the Emirates air force. There was interest at a very high level for 10 aircraft and we signed an MoU.”

The Skylander can be used for reconnaisance and security missions as well as in a VIP or air transport role.

The Lorraine region of France is providing “repayable advances” worth €9 million ($10.7 million) for the SK-105 and could eventually take a stake in GECI Aviation, although “for the moment it’s not a subject of discussion”, says Ruggiero.

Powered by two 1,100shp (820kW) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65B turboprops driving five-blade Hartzell propellers, the high-wing, unpressurised Skylander is designed to carry up to 19 passengers or 2.7t of freight and operate from short, rough air strips.

The industrial ramp-up calls for four prototypes to be constructed to enable ground and flight-testing to begin in 2011. First flight is scheduled for the second half of next year and first delivery in late 2012.

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