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Aircraft manufacturers
PAL, De Havilland MOU for missionized Dash 8
February 25, 2021 By Naomi Szeben
Image courtesy of De Havilland Aircraft of Canada PAL Aerospace and De Havilland Aircraft of Canada entered a Memorandum of Understanding to pursue the development of a fully missionized Dash 8-400 aircraft.
Named the Dash 8 P-4, it is designed for maritime patrol, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, as well as other applications. Modified with auxiliary fuel tanks, the Dash 8 P-4 will have superior range, endurance and time-on-station.
“PAL Aerospace is thrilled to work with De Havilland Canada on this important initiative for our company,” said Jake Trainor, CEO of PAL Aerospace, in a statement. “The considerable cabin space, payload capacity, best-in-class airspeed profile and advantageous operating economics of the Dash 8-400 platform, combined with De Havilland Canada’s proud 92-year history of innovation and leadership in aircraft design and manufacturing, provide an ideal foundation from which to launch the Dash 8 P-4 program.”
PAL Aerospace and De Havilland Canada believe there exists a significant global market for missionized turboprop aircraft, especially in the MPA and ISR market. In combination with PAL Aerospace’s demonstrated global capability as a full-service provider of specialized aircraft modification, technology integration and special missions operation, the companies explain the Dash 8 P-4 promises to deliver a unique value proposition for clients with MPA and ISR programs.
PAL Aerospace and De Havilland Canada are currently working together to offer a comprehensive Dash 8 P-4 MPA solution for the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s ongoing maritime surveillance aircraft procurement.
“The Dash 8-400 aircraft’s turboprop efficiency and low-impact on the environment combined with its high productivity and jet-like performance have proven to be an ideal combination for many of our airline customers around the world,” said Philippe Poutissou, Vice President, Sales and Marketing at De Havilland Canada, in the same statement. “These attributes also make the Dash 8 P-4 a versatile and formidable special mission aircraft.”
This new collaboration affirms commitments from both PAL Aerospace and De Havilland Canada to continue the development of multi-role, MPA and ISR configurations for the Dash 8-400 aircraft. The two companies will continue to cooperate in business development and marketing activities while fortifying long-term support, developing training capacity and combining resources for aircraft performance.
