Turkey has recently added two new ATR-72 maritime patrol aircraft, known as the P-72 in Turkey
This is an addition to enhance naval air defense capabilities within the framework of the MELTEM-III program of the Turkish Navy
The Meltem III Program, covering the procurement of a total of 6 ATR-72 aircraft
and their modification into Anti-Submarine Warfare configuration for the Turkish Navy
was signed between Alenia Aermacchi S.p.A and Turkish Aerospace on July 2012
The first ATR-72-600 aircraft arrived at Turkish Aerospace’s facilities on April 19, 2013
Within the program’s framework, as the main sub-contractor of Alenia, all modification activities will be carried out at Turkish Aerospace’s facilities
Built based on the ATR 72-600 platform, the ATR 72 MP serves as a low-cost, consistent
sea-surface surveillance platform for military forces across the world
Turkish maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft are designated ATR-72 TMPA
It is a special version of the ATR-72 turboprop regional aircraft made by the French-Italian ATR joint venture
The typical missions of this version include vessel search and identification, search and rescue
drug, smuggling and piracy control, environmental control, maritime patrol roles, economic exclusive zone patrol, and Anti-Submarine Warfare
The ATR-72 has a length of 27.17 m, a wingspan of 27 m, a width of 2.57 m, a height of 7.65 m
an empty weight of 13.3 tons, and a maximum take-off weight of 23 tons
It was powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127M engines with 2,475 hp each
The ATR-72 has a cruise speed of 510 km/h, a range of 1,528 km, a service ceiling of 7,600 m, and a Rate of climb of 6.88 m/s
The six ATR-72 TMPA are designed as multi-role assets to satisfy the Turkish Navy maritime patrol requirement
The aircraft will see the integration of the Thales AMASCOS mission system and will include new functionalities such as AIS
Link 16, and the last generation weapon systems, like the Mk 54 Light Weight Torpedo
The AMASCOS mission system (Airborne Maritime Situation & Control System)
This system relies on multiple sensors to detect, identify and track threats, maintain real-time tactical situation awareness
manage NATO and national tactical data links and deploy onboard weapon systems
The new ATR-72 can also be reconfigured with different systems and missile armaments to carry out anti-ship missions