Dornier Do-228 NG at Aero India 2015 Swiss RUAG Aviation announced its decsion to restart serial production of the Dornier 228 twin tur...
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| Dornier Do-228 NG at Aero India 2015 |
RUAG will produce four aircraft per year from mid-2016, with this number set to increase in line with demand. Assembly of the fuselage has already begun, and the wing panels are currently in the forming process. The final assembly line has also been set up in Munich-Oberpfaffenhofen as part of the ongoing preparations to get the facility ready for the start of serial production.
Last year, RUAG Aviation signed a partnership agreement with Tata Advanced Systems, a world leader in air frame manufacturing, as part of a far-reaching realignment of its supply chain. Tata will manufacture fuselages and wings for the Dornier 228 aircraft from its Indian production site.
Nonetheless, everything is controlled by RUAG personnel on site in Germany where assembly, final checks, and test flights are carried out.
The Indian Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, is already building the Dornier Do-228 under license, and will considerably contribute to the program.
The 19-seater is powered by two Garrett TPE 331 turboprop engines and can carry a payload of 2 tonnes. The Dornier 228 is specifically designed for take-off and landing on short runways and for operation in high temperatures and at high altitudes.
RUAG says the Dornier 228 is experiencing significant growth in demand for special missions, including maritime policing and border control, due to its advantages like, on-station time of up to eight hours, high performance, and easy installation of equipment.
The aircraft can also be re-configured from passenger to cargo-transportation layout with minimum effort.
