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RSW-285 Cormorant
Dorsal diagram of the RSW-280 Cormorant family.
Role	Carrier onboard delivery/Carrier support aircraft
National origin	Carthage
Manufacturer	Bissau Corporation
Designer	Bissau Corporation
First flight	2008
Introduction	2014
Status	In service
Primary user	Punic Navy
Produced	2011-present
Number built	468
Unit cost	NSD$70 million (flyaway cost, (FY2019))

The Bissau RSW-285 Cormorant is a family of twin-engine, high-wing multi-role aircraft designed to support Carthaginian aircraft carriers in the carrier onboard delivery, airborne early warning and control (AEW&C), and maritime patrol roles. The Cormorant family was developed in the 2000s to 2010s to replace the previous and increasingly obsolete Type-66 Gull family of aircraft with a more modern and more capable platform.

The first RSW-285 Cormorant prototype flew in 2008 and entered production in 2011, with the REC-285 Cormorant AEW&C following two years later and the RMP-285 Cormorant following an additional year later. At current production rates, the Cormorant platform is expected to fully replace the remaining Gulls by 2028.

Design

The RSW-285 is a high-wing aircraft powered by two Elissa-Arishat TE-290-60N high-bypass turbofans producing up to 60 kN (13,500 lb_f) of thrust. As a carrier-based aircraft, the RSW-285 is equipped with a tail hook for recovery and the nose gear can be attached to a catapult shuttle for takeoff. The outer wings are capable of folding in order to reduce the aircraft's deck space requirements. All variants require a flight crew composed of a pilot and copilot and may embark additional mission crew depending on configuration. Two fully plumbed pylons are installed outboard of the engines in all variants, which are normally used for auxiliary fuel tanks.

Unlike the previous Type-66E Gull AEW&C, the REC-285 Cormorant AEW&C variant uses conformal radar arrays to eliminate the need for a large rotodome and the accompanying drag. The forward arrays are mounted behind the leading edges of the wing under aerodynamic fairings while the rear-facing array is mounted in the horizontal stabilizer. Additional sensor and communications equipment is housed in pods on the vertical stabilizers, wing tips, and on the underside of the fuselage. In addition to the AEW&C mission undertaken by the Gull AEW&C, the Cormorant AEW&C has expanded capabilities for cooperative engagement, including more advanced communications capabilities and networked fire control for different elements of the battlegroup.

The RMP-285 is equipped with a fuselage-mounted surface search radar, a forward-looking infrared camera in the nose, and a electronic support measures (ESM) emitter-location system in order to detect ships and submarines. It also has two additional external hardpoints located on the folding wings as well as an internal bomb bay capable of carrying up to 3,200 kg (7,100 lb) of ordnance. The Cormorant MPA/ASW is also capable of carrying and deploying up to 64 sonobuoys, but due to changes in mission profile it lacks the magnetic anomaly detector found in the Type-66S Gull ASW.

Variants

RSW-285 Cormorant COD

Carrier onboard delivery variant with room for up to 32 passengers or 6,000 kg (13,000 lb) of cargo. Under normal circumstances, aircraft are configured for a mix of passengers and cargo.

REC-285 Cormorant AEW&C

Airborne early warning and control variant equipped with a conformal AESA radar, IFF interrogator, and communications relays. A mission crew of four operators is required to operate all systems, and additional jump seats are available for relief crews.

RMP-285 Cormorant MPA/ASW

Maritime patrol and anti-submarine variant equipped with surface search radar, forward-looking infrared, sonobuoys, an internal bomb bay, and additional external hardpoints for anti-submarine and anti-ship weapons. A mission crew of four operators is required to operate all systems, and additional jump seats are available for relief crews.

Specifications (RSW-285 Cormorant)

General Characteristics

• Crew: 2 flight crew
  • RSW-280 Cormorant: 2 loadmasters
  • REC-285 Cormorant AEW&C: 4 mission crew
  • RMP-285 Cormorant MPA/ASW: 4 mission crew
• Capacity:
  • Up to 32 passengers or 6,000 kg (13,000 lb) of cargo
• Length: 17.91 m (58.8 ft)
• Wingspan: 25.61 m (84.0 ft) (extended); 10.18 m (33.4 ft) (folded)
• Height: 4.84 m (15.9 ft)
• Wing area: 654 m² (7,040 sq ft)
• Empty Weight: 16,370 kg (36,090 lb)
• Loaded Weight: 24,195 kg (53,341 lb)
• Max Takeoff Weight: 31,670 kg (69,820 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 x Elissa-Arishat TE-290-60N high-bypass turbofans, 60 kN (13,500 lb_f) each
• Fuel Capacity: 19,500 liters (5,200 U.S. gal)

Performance

• Maximum Speed: Mach 0.84 (481 kn, 553 mph, 890 km/h)
• Cruise Speed: Mach 0.82 (469 kn, 539 mph, 868 km/h)
• Range: 1,700 nmi (3,100 km) with a 6,000 kg (13,000 lb) payload
• Service Ceiling: 12,000 m (39,000 ft)
• Rate of climb: 26 m/s
• Wing Loading: 340 kg/m2 (72 lb/ft2)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, type, and era

• Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey
• Grumman C-2 Greyhound
• Grumman E-2 Hawkeye
• Lockheed S-3 Viking
• Xi'an KJ-600