Dornier 228 manufacturer General Atomics AeroTec Systems (GA-ATS) has carried out extensive modernization and maintenance work on two Royal Thai Navy (RTN) Dornier 228s in Oberpfaffenhofen. Now the first aircraft has been transferred back to Thailand, where it will be used for special mission flights.
Upgrade to Dornier 228NG standard and new mission equipment
The GA-ATS technicians carried out a comprehensive upgrade and modernization program of the aircraft, after it was transported to Oberpfaffenhofen in an Antonov AN-124. The Dornier 228 received new avionics systems for navigation and communication, new modern cockpit displays (glass cockpit) and extensive new mission equipment including a 360° mission radar, an electro-optical/infrared camera, a mission management system and a data-link system that enables the crew to transmit data to both ships and ground stations. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems supported the program as manufacturer of the mission system console.
The interior and cabin of the aircraft were also modernized and the Do228 was repainted at the GA-ATS Paint Shop. With the modernization program, the aircraft received an upgrade to Dornier 228NG standard and will be operational for another 15 to 20 years.
Modern training capabilities with new flight simulator
For flight training, GA-ATS introduced a new, state-of-the-art, Dornier 228NG flight simulator in 2022. The EASA-compliant simulator enables pilots to train in more realistic conditions. The Royal Thai Navy crew were the first international pilots to have the opportunity to experience the handling of the aircraft in the new Do228NG simulator in Oberpfaffenhofen.
Royal Thai Navy uses Dornier 228 for special mission flights
The Royal Thai Navy has been operating a fleet of seven Dornier 228s for several decades. In July 2020, GA-ATS was awarded a contract to perform a comprehensive maintenance and modernization program on two of the RTN’s Dornier 228s, as a cooperative undertaking between the Royal Thai Navy and the United States Department of Defense, which committed a budget under the Indo-Pacific Maritime Security Initiative DoD Grant Assistance program.
The Dornier 228 aircraft perform versatile special missions for the Royal Thai Navy, which can now be carried out more effectively and efficiently. The South-East Asian country monitors its exclusive economic zone (200-mile zone) with the Dornier 228s and conducts extensive ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) missions in the Gulf of Thailand.
Reliable aircraft in service worldwide
The Dornier 228 is a versatile and reliable aircraft that is used all over the world for special and research missions, reconnaissance and patrol flights as well as cargo transport. The Dornier 228 also enjoys great popularity in passenger transport to this day. The Dornier 228 combines modern technology and efficiency and is one of the most reliable aircraft in its class thanks to the German manufacturer's continuous improvement process.
