For over four decades, the Do228 has been the backbone of special mission and light transport aviation around the world, combining German engineering excellence with outstanding versatility and performance. Renowned for its reliability and operational efficiency, the aircraft continues to serve a wide range of mission profiles worldwide – from passenger and cargo transport to border patrol and maritime surveillance, as well as MedEvac missions and environmental monitoring.
Now, German aircraft manufacturer and Do228 OEM General Atomics AeroTec Systems is on the verge of the launch of the new Do228 NXT – the Next Generation of the legendary Do228. The series production at its facility in Germany is progressing smoothly, starting a new era for the aircraft. GA-ATS has set up a modern production facility and implemented many technical optimizations to the aircraft. In addition, the company’s supply chain has been optimized and most of the production steps have been transferred to in-house production.
Unmatched performance and versatility
The twin-engine aircraft stands out with its advanced aerodynamics, rugged design, and state-of-the-art avionics. One of its key strengths is the STOL capability, allowing operations from short and unpaved runways. This makes the Do228 NXT ideal for remote areas and challenging environments, particularly in regions, where runway infrastructure is limited. The Do228 NXT can reach any place, including airfields in the rainforest or the savannahs of Asia.
The rectangular design of the fuselage cross-section enables optimal use of space. This means that goods can be transported easier, passengers can fly more comfortably and versatile installations in the cabin are possible according to the customer’s wishes, like operators’ consoles.
Additionally, its flexible design supports the integration of state-of-the-art sensor systems, making the aircraft an excellent choice for border surveillance and maritime patrol operations. Thanks to its robust design, the Do228 NXT performs reliably in extreme weather conditions, from heavy rainfall to strong winds – resisting the versatile whether challenges in Asia.
Proven in global operations
Since its introduction, the Do228 series has been deployed across all continents and regions for diverse missions. In Asia, the aircraft has already been successfully operated in several countries, including Nepal, Thailand, Japan, Bangladesh, India, the Philippines and the Maldives. The Do228 NXT can also reach the legendary Lukla Airport in Nepal, one of the most difficult airports in the world and the gateway to Mount Everest hikes.
The ideal aircraft for Asia’s diverse geography
Asia is an extremely diverse continent with a unique geography and over 50,000 islands, most of them are very small. The continent possesses over 15,000 airfields, 66 % of them are short or unpaved, which means that only a very limited number of aircraft types can reach them – and the Do228 NXT is one of them. Thanks to its STOL capability and robust design, it can take off and land on these runways – to transport people or goods and for MedEvac missions.
With the long coastlines, numerous beeches and islands, the maritime patrol layout of the Do228 is also particularly in demand in Asia. Two major Do228 operators in Asia are the Royal Thai Navy and the Bangladesh Navy, which use the aircraft for maritime patrol and surveillance missions. The RTN has been operating a fleet of seven Do228s for several decades, in Bangladesh four aircraft are in service.
The Future of Special Mission and Cargo Aviation
General Atomics AeroTec Systems has significantly expanded its service capabilities in recent years, reinforcing its position as the leading support partner for Do228 operators. Its portfolio includes MRO, upgrades, modernization, simulator-based pilot training and component support.
The company is starting the next major chapter in the Do228’s 40-year success story. By continuing to advance the Do228 NXT program, GA-ATS remains committed to delivering a high-performance, mission-ready aircraft that meets the evolving demands of operators worldwide. With increasing interest from customers in Asia and worldwide, the Do228 legacy is set to soar to new heights. For this reason, GA-ATS is attending LIMA Airshow in Malaysia this spring.
More info and contact data:
Web: https://www.ga-ats.com/en/do228 Mail: info@ga-ats.com
