Alenia Aeronautica S.p.A., a Finmeccanica company, has delivered to the Guardia di Finanza (Revenue Guard Corps) at its Caselle Torinese location, the second ATR 42 MP Surveyor (Grifo 13) ordered, fully equipped in operating configuration.

The aircraft was formally delivered by the CEO of Alenia Aeronautica S.p.A. Mr. Filippo Bagnato to the Brigadier General Salvatore Mistretta, at the head of the Air and Sea Headquarters of the Guardia di Finanza.

This second aircraft will pair with the one already delivered (Grifo 14) and in operation since December 1999 at Pratica di Mare.

The ATR42MP Surveyor built by Alenia Aeronautica is a highly innovative aircraft derived from the ATR42 regional commuter, with multiple operating mission capability.

The version prepared for the Guardia di Finanza will be used mostly for long/medium-distance sea patrolling, with surface ship and craft discovery, location, classification, identification and tracking capabilities.

Alenia Aeronautica has designed and developed both the integration and the installation of the various aircraft systems and equipment.

Thanks to the structural modifications implemented and to the relatively low operating and maintenance costs, the best configuration for each different mission can be set in less than four hours by means of the kits supplied with the aircraft.

Among other Italian companies that participate as subcontractors in this program are: Aeronavali (structural modifications) Galileo Avionica (mission system), Elettronica (ESM), Marconi Mobile (radio), OMA (pylons and research pod).

Apart from the Guardia di Finanza, Alenia Aeronautica is also a supplier for the Coast Guard, to which we delivered an ATR42 MP Surveyor in May 2001. Officine Aeronavali is now completing the structural conversion of a second aircraft at Naples Capodichino, then this second aircraft will be relocated to the Alenia Aeronautica's End Line Unit at Caselle for the installation of the mission system.

The aircraft will be delivered to the Coast Guard by Spring 2003.

Both these versions were developed to the specifications given by the customer Corps and are equipped with advanced auto-navigation, radar, electro-optic and electro-magnetic surveillance, voice and data communication and recording functions, all integrated together in a computer-operated mission administration system.

The MP Surveyor version of the ATR 42 is particularly interesting for coast patrolling in coastal towns, as it may be used for protection against smuggling and illegal immigration and for the support of maritime activities (navigation, fishing, etc.).