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.

Development
The DART-450 made its first flight on 17 May 2016. Certification of the $3.1 million plane was expected by the end of 2017. 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. The third prototype was expected to fly in late 2017, powered by a 550hp (410kW) GE Aviation engine.

Design
The DART-450 is built predominately from carbon fibre. It is powered by a 495 hp 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.

Variants

 * Diamond DART-450
 * First flown on 17 May 2016. It has a 495 hp Ivchenko-Progress Motor Sich AI-450S turboprop, weighs 1330 kg empty and has a 2300 kg max takeoff weight.


 * Diamond DART-550
 * Version powered by a 550 hp 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.


 * Diamond DART-750
 * Upgrade with the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 turboprop engine rated at 750 hp. The aircraft had its first flight on 12 June 2023.


 * CETC TA-20
 * Chinese licensed locally manufactured variant of the DART-450 utilizing alternate Chinese avionics, first flown on 6 November 2018. 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.