CN-235 'fails' Pentagon review

The EADS CASA CN-235 has "failed" an initial Pentagon review for consideration as the new Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA).

"Industry sources say the CN-235, one of two aircraft offered by the joint team of Raytheon, EADS and CASA, . . . failed to pass the first stage," Defense News reports today.

"The Raytheon-EADS CASA team is now expected focus its bid on the C-295, a newer, larger and costlier version of the CN-235. The team has pitched the 80-foot C-295 as the "best value" it could offer in the competition," the Press-Register of Mobile, Alabama reports. To secure support in Congress, EADS CASA planned to assemble the planes in Alabama.

"It was unclear Wednesday why the Army eliminated the CN-235, which has been sold to 20 military customers worldwide, including the U.S. Coast Guard."