Rheinmetall Defence Electronics (RDE) and Diamond Aircraft Industries have married their expertise in composite manufacture and UAV technological systems to produce a state-of-the-art aircraft which is on show for the first time at Paris.
The Opale DA42 can be used for surveillance and reconnaissance missions in controlled airspace.
Diamond chief executive Christian Dries says: "We are delighted to be at Paris. It is a crucial meeting point for all civilian as well as military aircraft manufacturers and potential buyers and is the most important European show."
In creating the DA42, the team has integrated specific electro optical infrared sensors for manned operations into an aircraft for the first time.
Based on the multipurpose DA42, the Opale will be used to integrate and test a broad variety of sensors and to validate concepts for UAV operations. The aircraft is also equipped with digital data links for air-ground communications.
Source: Flight Daily News
