Low-Cost Sensor Platform Can Be Adapted For Specific Roles

Aurora Flight Sciences announced Monday it has reached an agreement to become an authorized agent for the sale of DA42 MPP Multi-Purpose Platform aircraft from Diamond Airborne Sensing GmbH.

The Manassas, VA-based company says the twin-engine DA42 MPP (Multi-Purpose Platform) is a specially-designed manned platform for carrying multi-function aerial sensor equipment. It combines the advantage of low operating costs with the specialized requirements of sensor operators.

Based on the award-winning DA42 Twinstar, the DA42 MPP has been adapted to carry mission sensors in the nose and under the fuselage in different modular configurations. The MPP aircraft also includes design modifications, which include for example a dedicated power supply for mission equipment and sensors, wiring conduits, and a low-noise, low-infrared exhaust system.

"We are excited to offer our customers another system to meet their mission needs and honored that Diamond Airborne Sensing has selected us as a sales agent for this impressive aircraft," stated Dr. John Langford, president of Aurora Flight Sciences. "This is another example of how Aurora Flight Sciences offers system solutions across the entire range of user requirements."

The fully-equipped DA42 MPP can operate in all weather conditions and at a wide range of speeds, from a minimum of 75 knots to a maximum of 152 knots (IAS). In long-endurance monitoring mode the MPP can fly for over 12 hours, using less than 8 gallons fuel per hour total. The maximum range at 50% power setting is more than 1350 nm. No other aircraft can match the mission flexibility and efficiency of the DA42 MPP.

The DA42 MPP was specifically developed to carry a variety of mission equipment, including gyro-stabilized multi-sensor (EO/IR) cameras, large format, digital frame cameras, and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR).

Aurora Flight Sciences can arrange the delivery of a DA42 MPP aircraft without sensors, aircraft with pre-packaged sensor suites, or can work with customers to integrate custom sensors on the DA42 MPP. Future unmanned or optionally-manned versions from Aurora are also possible.

FMI: www.aurora.aero, www.diamondair.com