Worldwide fleet of DA42 MPP aircraft grows

31 October 2008, 6:37pm

Due to the successful completion of all certifications of the Multi Purpose Platform, Diamond Airborne Sensing was able to deliver 17 MPP so far. The last two aircraft have recently been handed over to Niger.

The government of Niger ordered these surveillance aircraft to inhibit smuggling, to protect critical infrastructure and ensure public security.

Niger has a total area of 1.287.000 km², with over 70 % of desert territory. Therefore the aircraft will be deployed for search and rescue missions. Large resources of raw materials are located in rural and unpopulated areas. These territories now also will be kept under constant and cost-efficient surveillance.

“With these two aircraft we want to enhance public security and we are going to stop drug, human and arms smuggling through our country,” said Minister Djida Hamadou. “We are very satisfied with the cooperation with Diamond Airborne Sensing and we are looking forward to intensify the close collaboration by ordering more aircraft.”

The DA42 MPP are both equipped with the Carl Zeiss Optronics Goshawk 350 airborne observation system, which incorporates multiple sensors for daylight surveillance and night-time observation using thermal sensor and laser range finder. Video, voice and data information is transmitted via satellite downlink communication to the ground control station using the SCOTTY SATCOM system integrated in the DA42 MPP.

Photo: Wolfgang Grumeth handed over the keys and documents to Minister Djida Hamadou

www.diamond-sensing.com

Geo: International