Field Aviation, ASELSAN to develop new special mission aircraft

TORONTO, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Field Aviation and Turkish defense contractor ASELSAN are jointly developing a new special mission aircraft based on the Bombardier Challenger 605.

The companies plan to modify the existing commercial aircraft with new configurations, including multiple operator stations and aerodynamic alterations. Field Aviation did not specify how many planes would be fitted, but confirmed multiple platforms will be developed.

"At Field Aviation, we are experts in integrating and certifying complicated mission systems into many aircraft platforms. ASELSAN recognizes this, and our track record allows them to focus on the mission system and its performance," Field Aviation chief operating officer Brian Love said in a press release.

The Bombardier Challenger 600 series is a family of business planes first produced by Canadair. The jet has been fitted for military operations by multiple armed forces around the world, including the Royal Canadian Air Force, the Royal Australian Air Force, the U.S. Air Force, and others.