Da 42 Dominator - Foto: Aeronautics
Leaving the pilot on the ground – an idea that’s gaining popularity
The concept has the potential to become a trend: converting manned aircraft to unmanned systems. Examples are uncommon at present but that could all change.
Israel is a natural place for such a transformation. The country is a world leader in unmanned air systems (UAS) and as these systems develop, the potential to take a certified manned aircraft and leave the pilot on the ground grows.
The first Israeli manufacturer of UAS to take the idea and implement it was Aeronautics, which used the Diamond DA-42 twin-engine aircraft as the basis of a very cost-effective UAS.
Aeronautics is currently offering its Dominator XP as an unmanned platform for maritime patrol. Its large, roomy fuselage, twin engines and long endurance are only a few of its advantages. Aimed at the high end of the medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAS market, the Dominator XP has been adapted to comply with the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) limitations.
The Israeli company will soon supply one Dominator XP system to Mexico, where it will be used by Mexican law enforcement. Delivery is scheduled before the end of the year. Another Dominator XP is operated by CAE in Alma, Quebec as part of Project Miskam, which is aimed at evaluating the use of UAS in civil airspace.
Dany Eshchar, deputy CEO of Aeronautics says there is a growing demand for long endurance platforms to protect Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) at sea, as well as maritime natural gas pumping installations.
The company thinks that using a certified manned aerial platform for unmanned missions is a way to offer the market a very reliable and cost-effective UAS.
The Dominator XP has a maximum take-off weight of 1,900 kgs, an endurance of more than 20 hours and a max speed of 160kts (297km/h). Its maximum altitude is 27,000ft.
This successful conversion effort will lead to others. Israeli UAS manufacturers are keeping these efforts under wraps for now, but more such conversions are expected.
The concept has the potential to become a trend: converting manned aircraft to unmanned systems. Examples are uncommon at present but that could all change.
Israel is a natural place for such a transformation. The country is a world leader in unmanned air systems (UAS) and as these systems develop, the potential to take a certified manned aircraft and leave the pilot on the ground grows.
The first Israeli manufacturer of UAS to take the idea and implement it was Aeronautics, which used the Diamond DA-42 twin-engine aircraft as the basis of a very cost-effective UAS.
Aeronautics is currently offering its Dominator XP as an unmanned platform for maritime patrol. Its large, roomy fuselage, twin engines and long endurance are only a few of its advantages. Aimed at the high end of the medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAS market, the Dominator XP has been adapted to comply with the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) limitations.
The Israeli company will soon supply one Dominator XP system to Mexico, where it will be used by Mexican law enforcement. Delivery is scheduled before the end of the year. Another Dominator XP is operated by CAE in Alma, Quebec as part of Project Miskam, which is aimed at evaluating the use of UAS in civil airspace.
Dany Eshchar, deputy CEO of Aeronautics says there is a growing demand for long endurance platforms to protect Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) at sea, as well as maritime natural gas pumping installations.
The company thinks that using a certified manned aerial platform for unmanned missions is a way to offer the market a very reliable and cost-effective UAS.
The Dominator XP has a maximum take-off weight of 1,900 kgs, an endurance of more than 20 hours and a max speed of 160kts (297km/h). Its maximum altitude is 27,000ft.
This successful conversion effort will lead to others. Israeli UAS manufacturers are keeping these efforts under wraps for now, but more such conversions are expected.
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