Writer

Charlotte Bailey

Deutsche Aircraft is working on a drone to extend the mission capabilities of its newly-announced multi-role version of the modernized D328 twin turboprop it is bringing to market.&nbsp;The plans for both its uncrewed platform and the D328MR unveiled during June 2026’s ILA Berlin show, where the OEM explained how this “integrated uncrewed aircraft capability” could be relevant in civil and governmental applications. 
Speaking to AIN, Deutsche Aircraft CEO Nico Neumann explained that the company was currently focusing “a bit more on the multi-role path” under the direction of its U.S. owner Sierra Nevada Corporation. The D328MR—a planned multi-mission variant of the D328eco—has been designed to fulfil roles including maritime and border surveillance, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, disaster response, environmental monitoring, and search and rescue support.&nbsp;
Extended range fuel tanks on the D328MR will also offer a range of just over 2,219 nm in an emergency medical configuration, surpassing the 40-passenger D328eco’s projected range of up to 1,205 nm). According to Neumann, the multi-use variant was partly inspired by Dutch special mission and maritime patrol provider EASP Air, which uses a legacy fleet of D328s. This operator says its setup – including a certified in-flight opening door and additional missionized setup – has helped save over 20,000 lives to date. 
The <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2025-05-28/deutsche-aircraft-rolls-out-first-d328eco-regional-prototype">first D328eco prototype</a> was rolled out from the German OEM’s headquarters in Oberpfaffenhofen in May 2025. Deutsche Aircraft stated at the time it expected to make a first flight with the first prototype in 2026. Although no set date for this milestone has been given, the developer is currently continuing to finalise the setup of onboard systems before the first ground test. Neumann also confirmed that Deutsche Aircraft has “started on some campaigns of some components,” including the ground test elements of the aircraft’s landing gear. 
<h2>Deutsche Aircraft Drone</h2>
"With the D328MR, complemented by uncrewed capabilities, [Deutsche Aircraft] is offering a portfolio that allows authorities to select the right platform,” Neumann stated. Specifically, the company is currently gauging market demand for its as-yet unnamed drone through “direct exchange with [potential] operators.” 
The V-tailed drone has a wingspan of 5.76 meters (19 feet) and a length of 3.62 meters, a maximum takeoff weight of 110 kilograms (242 pounds), 26 kilograms of combined payload and fuel capacity, and a flight time of up to 16 hours. Deutsche Aircraft said this performance has already been validated through a flight test campaign. 
“It seems like this size [of drone] has a market need, and we have received some positive indications for this size, range and payload capabilities,” explained Neumann. The decision to use a fossile-fuel-burning&nbsp; Pratt &amp; Whitney Canada PW127XT-S&nbsp;engine&nbsp;was, he added, based on requirements for payload, range, and charging structure availability. &nbsp;
The drone could be used independently or flown alongside a ‘mothership’ D328MR aircraft, extending the view of the parent aircraft. In this adjacent role, a mission operator onboard the D328MR could instruct one or more drones to take a deeper look at certain sites, although it has not yet been flight tested alongside a crewed aircraft. However, “the capability gap needs to be described by the operator, and then we can design how we can best fulfil that gap with the tools we have,” Neumann explained. 
After market analysis for the drone is completed, Deutsche Aircraft will then consider industrial set-up for production. Referencing the European Commission’s recent EU Aviation and Aeronautics Strategy—which stresses the need to “set out a comprehensive framework to strengthen Europe’s aviation and aeronautical at a time of heightened uncertainty"—Neumann believes the time is right for a product he thinks will heighten mission capability. “They speak about resilience, they speak about sovereignty, they speak about competitiveness, and these are the areas where we see Deutsche Aircraft in a nutshell,” he concluded.

News and issues relating to civil and military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) of all kinds and sizes, including those used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), combat (unmanned combat air vehicles, or UCAVs), law enforcement, research and other applications. Of particular focus is the FAA's planned integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace system.

Deutsche Aircraft Working On Aircraft-Adjacent Drone Alongside New D328MR

Uncrewed platform would complement multi-mission D328MR variant 

Deutsche Aircraft is working on a drone to extend the capabilities of its newly-announced D328MR multi-mission variant, unveiled at the ILA show this month.

Deutsche Aircraft Working On Multi-Role Support Drone

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Swarm says it is now building production-ready uncrewed air system

TPE331 Engine Will Power Swarm Aero’s Large Military Drone

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

In this article

Deutsche Aircraft

More In Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

TPE331 Engine Will Power Swarm Aero’s Large Military Drone

Swarm says it is now building production-ready uncrewed air system

ERC Unveils Victor Hybrid-electric VTOL Cargo Drone

First prototype was unveiled at the ILA 2026 air show this week in Berlin

Schiebel Camcopter S-300 Selected for Anti-Sub Evaluation

European SWORD project to evaluate uncrewed platform in naval role

Updated DARPA Hybrid-Electric XRQ-73 Makes First Flight

Experimental aircraft to validate hybrid-electric propulsion technology

Savback Helicopters, Dufour Partner on Drone Delivery

Service will use Dufour’s Aero-200 tiltwing aircraft

Aeronautics Boosts Production as Drone Applications Grow

Orbiter, Dominator, Aerostar, and Octoper drones can be adapted for new uses

Reliable Completes Detect-and-avoid Tests Near Airports

Data from flight-test campaign substantiates new FAA drone standards

Honeywell and Odys Develop Laila VTOL Anti-drone Platform

Partners seek to boost military options for countering drone threats

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN