Alenia Aeronautica signs contract for four maritime patrol ATR72

Alenia Aeronautica, a Finmeccanica company, and the Direzione Generale Armamenti Aeronautici (General
Management for Aeronautical Armaments) of the Defence Ministry, have reached an agreement for the
supply of four ATR72 Maritime Patrol aircraft. The medium-range, twin-engine turbine airplanes will be
delivered to the Italian Air Force starting from 2012, to be used for the maritime patrolling with mixed crews
with the Italian Navy.

The aircraft is a version of the regional turboprop ATR72, developed ad-hoc by Alenia Aeronautica and
offers a greater autonomy as compared to the ATR42MPs already in service with the Guardia di Finanza
(Customs Police) and the Coast Guard, which have already in service 7 units for maritime patrol roles such
as surveillance of national sea, maritime routes and economic exclusive zone patrol and to counter
smuggling and clandestine immigration.

ItAF’s ATR72MPs will be equipped with the SELEX Galileo, a Finmeccanica company, ATOS mission
system, which integrates the Seaspray, electronic-scan surveillance radar and the EOST, electro-optical
multi-sensor turret, for the identification of boats and persons in any weather condition.
The aircraft will also be equipped with last-generation communication systems and, through a datalink
system, will be able to transmit information in real time to the ground command and control centres and
other platforms, both in flight and on sea, for the coordination and maximum effectiveness of the operations.

Source: Alenia

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