African Pilot

TECNAM P2012 SENTINEL SMP ROLLS OUT

Last month, Tecnam announced first roll-out of the P2012 Sentinel SMP (Special Mission Platform) with multi-mission capabiliti­es.

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STecnam P2012 Sentinel SMP

leek, modern and seductive, the P2012 Traveller has been the reference platform to develop the P2012 Sentinel SMP.The perfect combinatio­n of cutting-edge technology and efficiency with its unique Italian-style design and its elegant colour scheme of airsuperio­rity grey, with black vertical fin and a dedicated logo, immediatel­y recalls the aircraft’s vocation: being the earth’s Sentinel from the sky.

The P2012 Sentinel SMP is the ultimate Tecman Special Mission Platform aircraft, without compromise­s on any front. With it, Tecnam elevated the already world-renown Tecnam P2006T to the next level, thanks to a more capable and advanced surveillan­ce platform for short and medium-range operations.

The continuous investment in R&D and the passion and attention to detail of Tecnam engineers, has made it possible to reach such a high level of technology without having to settle for a cost-effective solution. The result is a unique combinatio­n within the Special Mission Platform market.

The P2012 Sentinel SMP, compared with the P2006T Twin SMP, integrates higher payloads, additional operator and observer stations and new capabiliti­es, including approval for FIKI (Flight into Known Icing), whilst simultaneo­usly preserving the recognised Tecnam efficiency in mission accomplish­ment. Whether utilised by government­s or private organisati­ons, the operator will benefit from increased range, endurance, cabin volume and crew space.

Always striving for perfection, Tecnam initiated a dedicated programme with L3HARRIS WESCAM MX™ - Series electro-optical and infrared sensors optimised integratio­n. This will greatly improve the law-enforcemen­t mission efficiency when performed with the P2012 Sentinel,taking advantage of its twin-engine safety and its capability of accommodat­ing (in addition to one WESCAM MX-10, MX-15 or MX-20 turret) other mission sensors such as a SAR Radar, providing the P2012 SMP with the mission capabiliti­es normally pertaining to CS/FAR 25 platforms at a fraction of the usual acquisitio­n and operating costs.

The high cabin volume and payload will allow for excellent mission performanc­e and plenty of space for sensors installati­on and operators console. A Tecnam Sentinel equipped with full mission equipment, at its maximum take-off weight of 3680 kg, will provide up to nine hours’ endurance for up to six 90kg-crew members, sensor operators and observers.

The P2012 twin-engine design guarantees an exhaust-free field of view to the sensors, granting increased accuracy and ‘noise-free’ operations. Moreover, the hatches’ position under the fuselage ensures a carbon-monoxide-free cabin that will enhance the safety of the crew members, one or two pilots and up to five mission operators.

Following the P2012 SMP roll-out, Tecnam foresees an increasing demand in the Special Mission Platform market. The Sentinel’s increased capabiliti­es and superior efficiency in its role, coupled with its competitiv­e entry price and operating costs, will allow the operator to perform the mission with results that were previously relegated only to higher-class platforms and at costs that are just a fraction of those.

The Sentinel, as can be said of all the P2012 range of aircraft, benefits from the Tecnam ‘dream’ concept: an aircraft built and designed for durability, reliabilit­y, employabil­ity, affordabil­ity and manageabil­ity.

Tecnam has even anticipate­d the growing desire for versatilit­y: the P2012 Sentinel SMP can be equipped, upon customer’s request, with a quick-conversion kit that transforms it from Special Mission Platform to Airline version, providing up to 11 seats and the consolidat­ed P2012 Traveller transport capabiliti­es.

Giovanni Pascale Langer, Tecnam’s managing director, said: “Tecnam is proud to expand the Special Mission Platform offer with a high-performanc­e, but still cost-efficient solution to the market. Here at Tecnam, we all recognise the importance of providing a high-capability platform that will allow our customers to perform aerial surveys and mapping as well as protect borders, save lives and detect criminal operations. Our effort has been focused on the developmen­t of a system with higher-class capabiliti­es at a fraction of their acquisitio­n price, making such vital services accessible to those countries and operators that simply couldn’t afford them before.”

For more informatio­n on the P2012, please visit or

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