General Atomics AeroTec Systems (GA-ATS) has won a tender from the Finnish Border Guard to upgrade its two-strong Dornier 228 fleet.

To be conducted at GA-ATS’s site in Oberpfaffenhofen, southern Germany, the modernisation will see the twin-turboprops gain new navigation and communication systems, plus receive scheduled maintenance.

ATS_Do-228_Finnish_Border_Guard_02

Source: General Atomics AeroTec Systems

Twin-turboprops were delivered in 1995

Finland took delivery of the two Do 228s in 1995 and has since progressively upgraded the aircraft. They are currently equipped with a variety of electro-optical sensors and surveillance equipment.

GA-ATS acquired the type certificate for the Do 228 when it bought maintenance unit Ruag Aerospace Services in February 2021.

In the future, it intends to begin production of a modernised variant called the Do 228 NXT which will be “further optimised for its unique mission areas”. Planned enhancements include a glass cockpit featuring an advanced synthetic vision system.

Dominic Perry is deputy editor of Flight International but also contributes extensively to flightglobal.com. Although specialising in the coverage of the helicopter industry, he has written on most topics in aerospace – be they commercial, defence or business aviation. In addition, there has been an increasing focus on the decarbonisation of the industry and zero-emission flight initiatives.View full Profile

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