Page 12 - ADT NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2023 Online Magazine

range. Marte ER has the same interfaces, and selection for the Malaysian contract in October 2022. The ATR 72 MPA
logistic support doctrine as Marte MK2/S. This combines reliability and low operating costs, all the advantages of
means no platform hardware changes are the ATR 72-600 regional passenger transport aircraft, and features
required for those already qualified for the Marte a state-of-the-art Leonardo mission system. The ATR 72 MPA can
family, such as NFH90 and AW101. undertake missions that can typically last more than 8 hours.
To maintain commonality even further, the
same logistics support (handling and mainte- Leonardo’s ATOS (airborne tactical observation and surveillance)
nance) will apply. Only software changes will mission system, which has been selected by Malaysia will manage
be required to the store management system the aircraft’s on-board sensors, fusing the information gathered
in order to deal with the extended ranges, now and presenting a comprehensive and continuously updated tacti-
possible. With this same software, helicop-
ters will be able to deploy both Marte MK2/S cal picture to the mission system operators. To meet the Malaysian
and Marte ER. Integration of Marte ER on the requirement, a baseline ATR 72-600 will be equipped with a flexible
Eurofighter Typhoon also provides the fighter mission system, advanced sensors and a complete communica-
jet with a new anti-ship capability. tions suite for Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence,
Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) missions over land and sea.
The sensors and mission systems will be able to operate in stand-
The new coastal missile systems will boost the alone and net-centric modes, enabling the collection, processing
QENF’s capabilities in engaging hostile ships and sharing of strategic data among operators, while providing
and prevent them from threatening their ter- complete situational awareness about the operational scenario.
ritorial waters. MBDA was also contracted by
the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) in March 2018
for the supply of Marte ER anti-ship missiles for Malaysian ATR 72 MPAs will also feature Leonardo’s Seaspray 7300E,
their new NH90 helicopters. part of the highly successful Seaspray Active Electronically Scanned
Array (AESA) radar family. The latest V2 variant of the radar features
Airborne Eye updated processor and receiver technology to meet the evolving ISR
demands. The twin-turboprop ATR 72 MPA is designed for complex
Leonardo’s ATR 72 MPA (Maritime Patrol Aircraft) maritime patrol missions and can undertake maritime surveillance,
platforms is a new contender for airborne mar- anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (AsuW), elec-
itime patrol of coastal areas. In May this year, tronic intelligence (ELINT) gathering, sea surface and submerged
Malaysia’s ministry of defence, inked a contract target detection and tracking, search & rescue (SAR), environmental
with the Italian firm for the supply of two ATR 72 monitoring, countering illegal activities (drug trafficking, piracy and
MPAs. Leonardo had announced the aircraft’s smuggling) and protecting territorial waters..

12 | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023 WWW.GBP.COM.SG/ADT