Special missions operator Aero GB has become the first UK-based owner of an Airborne Technologies Tecnam multi-mission aircraft (MMA), following the handover of the twin-engined aircraft this morning.

Aero GB will deploy the MMA - a special missions version of the P2006T - in a wide range of operations including surveillance, homeland security, aerial surveying and environmental missions. "A significant advantage of the MMA over competitors is that all sensor equipment is located internally within the aircraft through the use of a retractable sensor suite and only deployed when the target area is acquired," says Airborne Technologies.

Aero GB's MMA is equipped with an FLIR/Polytech Ultraforce 275 high definition surveillance gimbal camera. The crew's working environment comprises three monitor screens - RGB video, infra-red video and moving map - and four control panels (serving the camera, data recorder, downlink system and moving map).

Video, audio and data are transmitted to ground stations via an integrated microwave, digital line-of-sight system manufactured by BMS. The MMA's exact position and geo-referenced camera footprint is displayed on a moving map system supplied by Euroavionics.

"We are delighted to be the first UK operator of a Tecnam MMA," says Aero GB chairman Peter Varnish. "The potential for this most economic airborne sensor platform is immense for homeland security applications but also for geodetical and geophysical missions."

Meanwhile, Tecnam's P2006T marine surveillance aircraft received European certification ahead of the Farnborough air show. The aircraft, dubbed the MRI, is being displayed by Indra on the static display.

Source: Flight Daily News