Hensoldt to integrate reconnaissance mission system on two DA62 MPP aircraft

Hensoldt MissionGrid equips two DA62MPP aircraft under contract by Qinetiq GmbH (Diamond Aircraft)

Hensoldt has received an order from Qinetiq GmbH to supply its ARGOS-II HD electro-optical (EO) infrared system and EuroNAV control and evaluation software on two Diamond DA62 MPP multipurpose platform aircraft, Hensoldt announced on 9 March.

A Hensoldt spokesperson told Janes that the ARGOS-II and EuroNav capabilities form an EO reconnaissance system, which is part of Hensoldt's ‘MissionGrid' platform: a scalable network of airborne sensors and data fusion applications.

According to the company, the systems “will be pre-integrated by Hensoldt and [integrated] by QinetiQ for [intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance] services and training of national and international [joint terminal attack controller] customers and operators with the DA62 MPP aircraft, manufactured by Diamond Aircrafts Industries, Austria”.

The spokesperson confirmed that systems would be pre-integrated on the aircraft in the second half of this year but they were unable to provide information regarding the customers and total value of the contract.

Hensoldt's systems can detect ships, small inflatable boats, and individual swimmers in poor climatic and low-light conditions, the company said. A thermal imaging camera can record images and transmit video and data to ground stations in real-time, the company added.

Frank Martin, Senior Director Sales for Integrated Airborne Solutions, Hensoldt, stated that “the pre-integration of the mission system by Hensoldt facilitates the functional testing of the system before integration into the aircraft and thereby significantly reduces the risks in such a project at an extremely early stage. In addition, certification activities can be brought forward. These were decisive points for QinetiQ to commission us”.