Deutsche Aircraft Unveils UAS Teaming for D328MR at ILA Berlin

Deutsche Aircraft unveiled a new integrated uncrewed UAV designed to operate alongside its crewed D328MR turboprop on June 10, 2026, at the ILA Berlin airshow. The deployment, executed in collaboration with Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), marks the manufacturer’s entry into crewed-uncrewed teaming for maritime patrol, border surveillance, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), and search and rescue (SAR) operations.

In a press release issued during the event, Deutsche Aircraft detailed how pairing the D328MR with a tactical vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drone allows operators to extend surveillance coverage and enhance mission persistence while reducing risk to human crews. The D328MR serves as the multi-role variant of the in-development D328eco, a modernized and stretched iteration of the classic Dornier 328 platform.

Technical specifications and NATO interoperability

The newly introduced tactical drone features a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 110 kilograms (243 pounds) and a payload capacity of 26 kilograms (57 pounds). According to specifications reported by Aerospace Global News, the UAS can achieve a maximum flight endurance of up to 16 hours, reach altitudes up to 18,000 feet, and cruise at speeds between 52 and 85 knots.

The platform is designed to be free of International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) restrictions. It complies with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) AEP-83 airworthiness requirements and is built for NATO AEP-84 Level 4 interoperability. Payload options for the UAS include electro-optical and infrared cameras, maritime tracking systems, radar, signals intelligence, communications relay, and mapping sensors.

Strategic partnerships and supply chain developments

Deutsche Aircraft is deploying the uncrewed capability in collaboration with SNC. While the exact nature of the drone platform remains unconfirmed, SNC previously acquired the VTOL drone assets and intellectual property of Volansi in 2022, which included the Voly-T tactical unmanned aerial vehicle. Deutsche Aircraft has not specified whether SNC is acting as the manufacturer, technology provider, or integration partner for this specific system.

Company leadership emphasized the operational flexibility of the combined platforms.

“With the D328MR, complemented by uncrewed capabilities, we are offering a portfolio that allows authorities to select the right platforms for each mission, based on civilian certification, safety and long-term operational reliability,” said Nico Neumann, CEO of Deutsche Aircraft.

Frederic Fischer, Director of Product Roadmap and Innovation at Deutsche Aircraft, noted that manned and unmanned systems each have distinct roles. He stated that current operational demands require swiftly adding capabilities and accelerating innovation cycles to maximize the utility of flexible platforms.

In a separate but concurrent development reported by Aviation Week, Deutsche Aircraft is advancing its own landing gear design for both the D328eco and legacy D328 turboprops. This internal development follows ongoing supply-chain delays from the existing supplier, Safran.

AirPro News analysis

The integration of a tactical UAS with the D328MR positions Deutsche Aircraft to compete more aggressively in the special missions market, where crewed-uncrewed teaming is rapidly transitioning from a conceptual military requirement to a standard operational expectation. By ensuring the drone is ITAR-free and NATO-interoperable, the company is clearly targeting European and allied governmental operators who require sovereign control over their surveillance assets. We note that the parallel decision to bring landing gear development in-house reflects a broader industry trend of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) vertically integrating critical components to insulate production lines from persistent tier-one supply chain disruptions.

Sources: Deutsche Aircraft