Diamond DART series explained

The Diamond DART is a series of tandem, two-seat civilian and military turboprop trainers manufactured by Austrian Diamond Aircraft, "DART" meaning Diamond Aircraft Reconnaissance Trainer.[1]

Development

The DART-450 made its first flight on 17 May 2016.[2] Certification of the $3.1 million plane was expected by the end of 2017.[3] The first two deliveries were to be for a non-certificated kit version in 2017, while a certificated aircraft was expected to be delivered in September 2018. Diamond intends to deliver 50 aircraft per year.[4] The third prototype was expected to fly in late 2017, powered by a 550hp (410kW) GE Aviation engine.[5]

Design

The DART-450 is built predominately from carbon fibre. It is powered by a 4950NaN0 Ivchenko-Progress Motor Sich AI-450S turboprop engine, driving a five-bladed MT Propeller. The cockpit accommodates two crew on ejection seats. The avionics are provided by Garmin and the fuselage is able to mount an optional retractable surveillance camera, plus other equipment.[1]

Variants

Diamond DART-450
  • First flown on 17 May 2016. It has a Ivchenko-Progress Motor Sich AI-450S turboprop, weighs empty and has a max takeoff weight.
    Diamond DART-550
  • Version powered by a General Electric GE H75-100 turboprop, first flown on 24 May 2018. It has eight hours endurance, Martin-Baker MK16 ejection seats, a Garmin G3000 cockpit, 1,600 kg (3,527 lbs) OEW, 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) MTOW.[6] [7]
    Diamond DART-750
  • Upgrade with the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 turboprop engine rated at . The aircraft had its first flight on 12 June 2023.[8] [9]
    CETC TA-20
  • Chinese licensed locally manufactured variant of the DART-450 utilizing alternate Chinese avionics, first flown on 6 November 2018.[10] It is being proposed as a possible candidate for the development of a basic military trainer aircraft for the People's Liberation Army Air Force.[11]

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. News: Diamond's Turboprop Trainer Debuts At Farnborough . AVweb . 14 July 2016 . 17 July 2016.
    2. Maiden flight of the Diamond Aircraft DART-450 . Diamond Aircraft . May 17, 2016 . May 18, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160531045203/http://www.diamond-air.at/media-center/press-releases/news/article/maiden-flight-of-the-diamond-aircraft-dart-450.html . May 31, 2016 . dead .
    3. News: Diamond Introduces Three New Utility Models . James Wynbrandt . July 14, 2016 . Aviation International News.
    4. News: Diamond to deliver first Dart-450s this year . Craig Hoyle . 20 June 2017 . FlightGlobal.
    5. News: Diamond debuts single and twin-engined quartet . 14 Nov 2017 . Kate Sarsfield . FlightGlobal.
    6. Maiden Flight Aerobatic Trainer DART-550. 25 May 2018. . 24 May 2018.
    7. News: Diamond Flies New Aerobatic Trainer. 25 May 2018. O'Connor. Kate. AVweb . 24 May 2018.
    8. First Flight Aerobatic Trainer DART-750. 26 June 2023. . 16 June 2023.
    9. Web site: Diamond Flies Dart-750 Turboprop Trainer. 19 June 2023. Niles. Russ. AVweb. 17 June 2023. https://archive.today/20230619112908/https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/diamond-flies-dart-750-turboprop-trainer/. 19 June 2023. live.
    10. Web site: Lake. Jon. New Chinese Basic Trainer Flies. Asian Military Review. 13 January 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20230606140903/https://www.asianmilitaryreview.com/2019/02/new-chinese-basic-trainer-flies/ . 2023-06-06 . 6 June 2023.
    11. Web site: Jennings . Gareth . China flies DART-450-derived military basic trainer aircraft . IHS Jane's 360 . 28 December 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181228165017/https://www.janes.com/article/85422/china-flies-dart-450-derived-military-basic-trainer-aircraft . 2018-12-28 . London . 28 December 2018 . live .

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