Italian manufacturer Tecnam has added special mission versions of several aircraft to their product range.
To be branded as SMP versions (special missions platform), the capability is aimed at the observations, aerial mapping and special missions market.
Existing Tecnam products that will be available in SMP versions include the P2006T twin, P92 Eaglet, and the P92JS. Each of these types will be able to carry specific sensors, radar or cameras.
According to Tecnam. many pre-orders are already in place for SMP equipped models.
"Customers are placing great value that as both designers and manufacturers of the aircraft," the company said. "Tecnam is able to not only offer a 'vertical integration' solution amongst the many different technological systems currently available, but is able to guarantee the whole system with respect to the aircraft, payload, appropriate fitting of the equipment, certification and validation."
Although several models will have the capability, Tecnam is clearly pushing the P2006T as the aircraft most suitable for the market.
"The P2006T SMP’s high wing and retractable landing gear allows for a ‘no view obstruction’ for external cameras and operator FoV (Field of View). This potentially may make the difference between mission success and failure especially when auto-tracking a moving object from high altitude is performed.
"For many missions and applications, such as search and rescue, reconnaissance, immigration surveillance/border patrol, drug trafficking and law enforcement missions, the Tecnam P2006T SMP is fully able to replace, support or drastically reduce the use of far more expensive/much complicated assets such as the deployment of CS/FAR 25 airplanes, helicopters and coast guard boats."
Tecnam already markets the P2006T MRI maritime surveillance aircraft.
More information on the SMP range of aircraft is available from the Tecnam website.