The first RUAG aircraft, the Do 228NG (New Generation) S/N 8300, was handed over today in Oberpfaffenhofen to the Japanese customer New Central Airservice (NCA). At the same time, RUAG announced to build a Do 228NG Special Mission aircraft. Customer is the German Federal Office of Defense Technology and Procurement (BWB) which on behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development has ordered a Do 228NG. The specially equipped aircraft is planned to be used for oil pollution control above the German North and Baltic Seas.

On August 18, 2010 EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) granted to RUAG Aviation the extended type certification for the new, enhanced version of the Do 228. Today in Oberpfaffenhofen, the first Do 228NG was handed over to the Japanese customer New Central Airservice. In his address, Dr. Peter Guggenbach, CEO RUAG Aviation, underlined the advantages of the aircraft. "The Do 228NG is a rugged and versatile multi-purpose aircraft. High payload, high cruising speed and its capability to also take off from and land on very short runways, are characteristic of the aircraft. A substantial advantage of the Do 228NG is its flexibility. Depending on customer's requirements, the aircraft can be configured for both passenger and cargo transport and search and surveillance tasks."

As from October 2010 the Do 228NG S/N 8300 will start regional transport services in Japan, ensuring air connection between the city of Tokyo and offshore islands with short runways. New Central Airservice has been operating three Do 228-212 aircraft for more than ten years and ordered the new aircraft for relaunch. "We are very satisfied with the Do 228. It is an excellent aircraft and ideal for the demanding geographic conditions on site", said Tetsuro Mori, owner of the airline.

Do 228NG special mission aircraft for surveillance tasks in Germany

On the occasion of the aircraft handover in Oberpfaffenhofen RUAG Aviation also announced the receipt of an order to build a Do 228NG Special Mission version for the German Navy. Due to state-of-the-art sensor systems, the Do 228NG aircraft will be capable of detecting environmental pollutions in the North and Baltic Seas even more effectively and making it easier to identify their causers.

The aircraft equipment includes an advanced glass cockpit with 4-panel display to provide flight, navigation, engine and surveillance data. New digital navigation and communication systems, an airborne collision avoidance system ACAS II, a terrain awareness and warning system TAWS, digital flight data recorders CVR and FDR as well as an advanced emergency locator transmitter ELT are standard equipment. A HF and a SATCOM system complete the configuration. For special mission operations customized navigation and communication instruments as well as additional sensors such as SAR capable weather radar are used. Also, the 5-blade composite propellers enhance fuel economy and reduce aircraft noise.

To enhance detection of oil slicks, the Do 228NG Special Mission version gets new efficient sensors, among others a side-looking airborne radar SLAR, colour line and IR/UV line scanners as well as an electro-optical sensor. The mission equipment is completed by an advanced operator workstation enabling ergonomic control of the sensors, with editing and display of all collected data. The SATCOM system allows in-flight transmittal of these data to other mission forces.

With this equipment, the Do 228NG Special Mission aircraft sets new standards in its class thus ensuring the continuation of a successful history of efficient and reliable pollution control above the North and Baltic Seas.

The Do 228NG is a versatile multi-purpose turboprop aircraft. Beside the transport of up to 19 passengers the aircraft can be configured for various special mission tasks like maritime surveillance, border and fishery patrol, control of marine pollution as well as environmental research. The Do 228NG is a completely modernized and enhanced version of the Do 228-212 which was built until 1999. Fuselage, wings and tail unit are manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Kanpur (India) and transported to Oberpfaffenhofen near Munich where RUAG Aviation carries out aircraft final assembly, integration of customized equipment, product conformity inspection and aircraft delivery.