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.[1]
Development
The DART-450 made its first flight on 17 May 2016.[2]
Certification of the $3.1 million plane was expected by the end of 2017.[3]
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.[4]
The third prototype was expected to fly in late 2017, powered by a 550hp (410kW)
GE Aviation engine.[5]
First flown on 17 May 2016. It has a 495 hp (369 kW)
Ivchenko-Progress Motor Sich AI-450S turboprop, weighs 1,330 kg (2,932 lb) empty and has a 2,300 kg (5,071 lb) max takeoff weight.[6]
Chinese licensed locally manufactured variant of the DART-450 utilizing alternate Chinese avionics, first flown on 6 November 2018.[11] 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.[12]