German Armed Forces to procure two modernized Dornier 228 maritime surveillance aircraft

Aviation Defense News September 2020 aerospace air force industry
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The Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has contracted Aerodata AG and, through subcontracting, its subsidiary OPTIMARE Systems GmbH for the modernization of the mission equipment on the two Dornier 228 maritime surveillance aircraft.

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German Armed Forces to procure two modernized Dornier 228 maritime surveillance aircraft 925 001Dornier 228 Aircraft. (Picture source: RUAG)

RUAG MRO International, located in Oberpfaffenhofen and under subcontract to Aerodata AG, works to provide engineering services related to mission equipment removal / installation as well as to support the supplemental military type certification process, amongst others, using RUAG MRO International’s own Dornier 228 test aircraft.

The target of the project is to increase the sustainability of the existing OPTIMARE MEDUSA® mission systems, the sensor suites, the communication systems, the spares package, and the ground segment.

The German Navy operates both Dornier 228 aircraft on behalf of the Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure to monitor the North and Baltic Seas with regards to marine pollution. Both special mission aircraft are based at German Naval Air Wing 3, Nordholz, Germany. The comprehensive retrofit project is being conducted from 2020 to 2023 on Aerodata AG premises at Airport Braunschweig-Wolfsburg.

German Armed Forces to procure two modernized Dornier 228 maritime surveillance aircraft 925 002Dornier 228 Aircraft. (Picture source: RUAG)

Design of Dornier 228 Aircraft:

The Dornier 228 is a twin-engine general-purpose aircraft, capable of transporting up to 19 passengers or various cargoes. It is powered by a pair of Garrett TPE331 turboprop engines. The Do 228 is commonly classified as a Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL)-capable aircraft, being capable of operating from rough runways and in hot climates. This capability has been largely attributed to the type's supercritical wing which generates large amounts of lift at slow speeds. The Do 228 is typically promoted for its versatility, low operational costs, and a high level of reliability – possessing a dispatch reliability of 99%. RUAG Aviation have claimed that no other aircraft in the same class may carry as much cargo or as many passengers over a comparable distance as fast as the Do 228 NG.