Airbus CC-295 Kingfisher

The CASA, now Airbus C-295 is a medium transport aircraft that was developed from the CN-235 medium transport which was originally developed for the Spanish and Indonesian Air Forces. The key differences between the types being that the C-295 has a stretched airframe and more powerful engines providing a 50% increase in cargo carrying capability. Following its first flight in November 1997, the C-295 has been ordered by over 35 militaries worldwide. In addition to its primary transport role, the C-295 has either been developed for or proposed in a variety of different roles including maritime patrol, search and rescue, AWACS, as a gunship, and as an aerial refuelling tanker.

The Royal Canadian Air Force operates an aging fleet of CC-115 Buffalo and C-130H Hercules in support of Transport and Search and Rescue (SAR) operations over the vast areas of Canadian wilderness. In 2019, the RCAF chose the C-295 to replace these aircraft in this role and ordered 16 examples. Deliveries commenced during September 2020 and in Canadian service the type is called the CC-295 Kingfisher.

We are very pleased to announce that the RCAF will be sending a single CC-295 Kingfisher for static display as part our celebration of their 100th anniversary. This will be the first time one of these gloss yellow painted aircraft has appeared at RIAT.

Photo Credit: Airbus