Liberty Aerospace is studying the potential for a surveillance version of its XL-2 two-seat light aircraft, certification of which is expected this month. The Melbourne, Florida-based company is equipping an aircraft with a FLIR Systems forward-looking infrared sensor for demonstration flights.
Liberty chief executive Tony Tiarks says the company received several enquiries about using the XL-2 as a surveillance platform after displaying the aircraft at the Dubai show last year. "There is tremendous interest in using the aircraft for border patrol and sea patrol," he says.
Tiarks says the XL-2's payload, range, speed and cost make it an economic alternative to helicopters for surveillance missions. The aircraft has a 270kg (600lb) payload, 600km (325nm) range and 43kt (80km/h) stall speed, and would cost around $400,000 equipped with the Ultra 8500FW long-range, fixed-wing FLIR sensor.
Endurance in the surveillance configuration would be around 5h. Operating costs would be "one-thirtieth to one-fiftieth" that of a helicopter, Triaks says.
Source: Flight International