Diamond DART series

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]

DART series
Diamond Dart-450 Prototype on display in 2017
Role Two-seat military training aircraft
National origin Austria
Manufacturer Diamond Aircraft
First flight 17 May 2016 (DART 450)

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 495 hp (369 kW) 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 495 hp (369 kW) Ivchenko-Progress Motor Sich AI-450S turboprop, weighs 1,330 kg (2,932 lb) empty and has a 2,300 kg (5,071 lb) max takeoff weight.[6]
Diamond DART-550
Version powered by a 550 hp (410 kW) 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.[7][8]
Diamond DART-750
Upgrade to the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 turboprop engine rated at 750 hp (560 kW). First flight on 16 June 2023.[9]
CETC TA-20
Chinese licensed locally manufactured variant of the DART-450 utilizing alternate Chinese avionics. 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.[10] The aircraft had its first flight on 12 June 2023.[11]

Specifications (DART-450, utility (reconnaissance) configuration)

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2016/17[12] All performance figures are estimates.

General characteristics

  • Crew: Two
  • Length: 10.75 m (35 ft 3 in)
  • Wingspan: 11.74 m (38 ft 6 in)
  • Height: 3.38 m (11 ft 1 in)
  • Empty weight: 1,330 kg (2,932 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 2,300 kg (5,071 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 850 L (190 imp gal; 220 US gal) usable
  • Powerplant: 1 × Ivchenko-Progress Motor Sich AI-450S turboprop, 369 kW (495[6] hp)
  • Propellers: 5-bladed MT Propeller[6]

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 460 km/h (290 mph, 250 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 430 km/h (260 mph, 230 kn)
  • Stall speed: 110 km/h (69 mph, 60 kn)
  • Range: 2,800 km (1,700 mi, 1,500 nmi) 30 min reserves
  • Endurance: 8 hr 10 min
  • Service ceiling: 7,010 m (23,000 ft) absolute
  • g limits: +7/-4G[6]
  • Rate of climb: 15.2 m/s (2,990 ft/min)
  • Take-off run: 600 m (2,000 ft)
  • Landing run: 400 m (1,300 ft)
  • fuel burn: 90 litres/hour[13]
  • operating cost: $500/hour[13]

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References
  1. "Diamond's Turboprop Trainer Debuts At Farnborough". AVweb. 14 July 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  2. "Maiden flight of the Diamond Aircraft DART-450" (Press release). Diamond Aircraft. 17 May 2016. Archived from the original on 31 May 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  3. James Wynbrandt (14 July 2016). "Diamond Introduces Three New Utility Models". Aviation International News.
  4. Craig Hoyle (20 June 2017). "Diamond to deliver first Dart-450s this year". FlightGlobal.
  5. Kate Sarsfield (14 November 2017). "Diamond debuts single and twin-engined quartet". FlightGlobal.
  6. "Diamond Aircraft DART-450 World Premiere at Farnborough Airshow 2016" (Press release). Diamond Aircraft. 12 July 2016.
  7. "Maiden Flight Aerobatic Trainer DART-550" (Press release). Diamond Aircraft. 24 May 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  8. O'Connor, Kate (24 May 2018). "Diamond Flies New Aerobatic Trainer". AVweb. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  9. "First Flight Aerobatic Trainer DART-750" (Press release). Diamond Aircraft. 16 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  10. Jennings, Gareth (28 December 2018). "China flies DART-450-derived military basic trainer aircraft". IHS Jane's 360. London. Archived from the original on 28 December 2018. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  11. Niles, Russ (17 June 2023). "Diamond Flies Dart-750 Turboprop Trainer". AVweb. Archived from the original on 19 June 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  12. Gunston, Bill (2016). Jane's All the World's Aircraft : development & production : 2016-17. IHS Global. p. 28. ISBN 978-0-7106-3177-0.
  13. "FARNBOROUGH: Diamond Aircraft takes aim with new Dart 450". flightglobal. 15 July 2014.
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