WIENER NEUSTADT, Austria -- Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH has delivered the first DA62 MPP special mission aircraft. Launch customer for the latest MPP generation is DEA Specialized Airborne Operations based at Gamston Airport, UK, a full service provider of airborne sensing solutions including ISR, Aerial Survey and Flight Calibration.

The Diamond DA62 MPP (Multi Purpose Platform) builds on the well proven and successful multi-mission turnkey DA42 MPP, offering increased performance, space and capability.

DEA’s new DA62 MPP features two in-house designed components, the light weight maritime search radar NEPTUN and the commercial satellite communication system KOPERNIKUS, an electro-optical and infrared gyro stabilized gimbal camera, the MX15 from Wescam, and an airborne AIS receiver. The ergonomic operator station in the second row of the aircraft is equipped with two HD operator screens, a mission computer with onboard recording is mounted in the rear mission equipment compartment.

Dicky Patounas, Director Business Development at DEA: "DEA Aviation is very pleased and excited to add the DA62 MPP to our expanding fleet of aircraft. Our growing Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations are delivering a first class service to UK Government and European Agencies on long and demanding missions, every day." "With the first DA62 MPP entering the market with our long-term customer DEA Specialized Airborne Operations we are pleased to bring a new tool into operation for our worldwide customers. We are delighted to continue the success story of Diamond’s remote sensing platforms with field proven technology in combination with further improvements in technical details and more space for crew and equipment as well as with our extensive experience of more than a decade," said Mathias Hutterer, Head of Airborne Sensing Department at Diamond Aircraft Austria.

Equipped with twin turbocharged single lever FADEC controlled Austro Engine AE330 powerplants, the fully composite DA62 MPP burns globally available jet fuel and allows 10-hour non-stop missions with a total fuel consumption of only 7.4 US Gal/hr (28 lt/hr) at loiter speed. A specialized on top exhaust system that blends fresh air with engine exhaust and utilizes the cowling to provide shielding of exhaust noise, assures ultra-low noise and IR signatures. The DA62 MPP platform, with an MTOW of 5,071 lbs (2,300 kg), offers a full fuel payload of 1,000 lbs (455 kg) for flight crew and mission equipment. The DA62 MPP is available in customer specified paint finishes, including a matte grey finish to reduce reflections and observability. Comfortable and efficient mission management as well as plenty of space for additional mission equipment in the huge rear mission equipment compartment are benefits of the wide and long 7 seat cabin of the original DA62.

The DA62 MPP will be on static display at Farnborough Airshow, July 16 - 22, 2018, at Diamond’s outdoor stand OE18.

Source: Diamond Aircraft