Piaggio MPA (Multirole Patrol Aircraft)

History of Piaggio MPA (Multipurpose Patrol Aircraft)

Italy's Piaggio Aerospace offers its P.180 "Avanti" twin-turboprop executive aircraft for maritime patrol missions through its product Avanti MPA ("Multi-Purpose Patrol Aircraft"). The aircraft is designed for special mission applications primarily related to maritime reconnaissance and reconnaissance, while also retaining land and coastal patrol capabilities - enabling it to perform tactical intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance (ISR), electronic intelligence (ELINT), Communications to perform intelligence (COMINT) and general ground surveillance.

MPA is based on the framework established with the aircraft of the Piaggio P. 180 "Avanti II" series.

MPA focuses on the overall structure: the fuselage is overall streamlined, with greater span at different levels to provide better control and lift characteristics, resulting in a higher payload capacity of the aircraft. The three lift surfaces common to the P.180 series are present - the canards are located forward of the cockpit area, the smooth, straight main plane is located low under the fuselage, and the horizontal stabilizer is mounted high on a single vertical stabilizer fin. This three-plane arrangement (three lift surfaces configuration = 3LSC) is beneficial for low altitude flight and fuel efficiency. Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC) engines are mounted in a "propeller" configuration, each nacelle on each wing's main plane, extending forward from the leading edge to the trailing edge, and powered using a newly developed scimitar . style propeller unit.

Newly designed three-wheeled chassis for ground running, especially MPA.

Internally, the aircraft carries a complete search radar suite as well as electro-optical and infrared (IR) sensors. The hull has a ventral blister pack containing special mission equipment. The two crew members sit side by side in the cockpit behind the nose cone, while the spacious cabin is properly equipped for maritime patrols.

Rectangular windows line the sides of the fuselage. Two mission consoles are mounted on either side of the customizable hull, and a compact galley and toilet area is also included for long-term missions. Interior space is also reserved for additional fuel storage to increase operating range.

Performance specifications include a sprint speed of nearly 350 knots and an excellent rate of climb, capable of taking the aircraft to an altitude of 41,000 feet. The aircraft can operate at high altitudes for up to 10 hours and at low altitudes for up to 7 hours, with a range of up to 3,300 nautical miles.

The unique fuselage, wing and engine layout makes the MPA one of the quietest and fastest turboprops available today - with performance more akin to a jet than a propeller.

MPA is being co-developed with the support of Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Investment Company (ADASI) in Abu Dhabi. Saab Defence and Security Systems of Sweden has developed extremely important mission systems suitable for MPA.

May 2016 - The MPA platform completes its maiden flight, although the program has been suspended indefinitely.

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