General Atomics AeroTec Systems is pushing the boundaries of aviation with its latest offering, the Do228 NXT, a versatile aircraft tailored for fast-evolving maritime and border operations. Designed to operate in challenging environments, the aircraft combines advanced technology with adaptability, making it suited for a wide range of missions.
A standout feature of the Do228 NXT is its short takeoff and landing capability, allowing it to operate from remote or austere locations where conventional aircraft cannot. This flexibility is critical for operations in hard-to-reach coastal areas, islands, or temporary airstrips. The aircraft’s design also prioritizes safety and efficiency, incorporating an autopilot system, advanced navigation, dual attitude and air data sensors, and terrain and collision alert systems, all of which reduce pilot workload during complex missions.
Measuring 16.56 meters (54 feet) in length, with a wingspan of 16.97 meters (55 feet) and standing 4.86 meters (15 feet) tall, the Do228 NXT offers ample space for payloads and mission-specific equipment. It is powered by two Honeywell TPE331-10 turboprops, capable of reaching altitudes up to 7,620 meters (25,000 feet) while cruising at 240 knots (276 mph/444 km/h), ensuring rapid response across vast operational areas.
The aircraft’s versatility extends to its mission capabilities. Its in-flight roller door allows the safe deployment of rescue equipment during over-water operations, enhancing its role in search-and-rescue missions. Additionally, the Do228 NXT can undertake coastal surveillance, naval reconnaissance, protection of underwater infrastructure, and environmental monitoring, particularly in strategic regions like the North Sea and Baltic Sea, where dynamic maritime threats and environmental concerns demand responsive aerial platforms.
General Atomics AeroTec Systems plans to officially showcase the aircraft at Navy Tech 2026, a leading defense exhibition in Sweden, where its adaptability and advanced systems are expected to attract attention from naval and border agencies worldwide.
As maritime and border operations continue to grow in complexity, the Do228 NXT positions itself as a capable, multi-role solution, ready to meet the demands of modern aerial surveillance, reconnaissance, and rapid-response missions.
