German defense company Hensoldt has received an order from aerial services specialist QinetiQ GmbH to supply two electro-optical reconnaissance systems for the Diamond DA62 MPP multipurpose aircraft.
Part of Hensoldt’s MissionGrid platform, the system consists of the ARGOS-II HD electro-optical infrared system and EuroNAV control and evaluation software.
The reconnaissance system tracks an area of up to 40 kilometers (25 miles) and can detect ships and small boats or individual swimmers in all types of weather. Its thermal imaging camera records images and transmits data and video in real-time to base stations.
The systems will be pre-integrated on the aircraft at the end of this year. However, the company didn’t elaborate concerning the customers or value of the contract.
“The pre-integration of the mission system by HENSOLDT facilitates the functional testing of the system before integration into the aircraft and thereby significantly reduces the risks in such a project at an extremely early stage,” senior director Frank Martin said in a statement.
“In addition, certification activities can be brought forward. These were decisive points for QinetiQ to commission us,” he added.
The DA62 MPP
The DA62 MPP is a surveillance jet that features advanced tracking and sensor technology. It is a light surveillance aircraft that is economical, powerful, and versatile.
The four-seater jet can carry out search, rescue, disaster management, land and coastal surveillance, infrastructure, and environmental monitoring missions.
About MissionGrid
MissionGrid is a scalable mission system that enables a single aircraft to fly various missions. It can be expanded for aircraft missions in challenging, hostile, or GPS denied airspace. This includes protection from multiple threats such as ballistic, RF, and optically guided weapons.
It can be installed on fixed-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, helicopters, and other aerial vehicles. Apart from navy and air force use, the jet can be deployed for search, rescue, maritime patrol, border protection, and other missions.
