General Atomics AeroTec Systems GmbH (GA-ATS) has reported a new partnership with German avionics specialist Aircraft Electronic Engineering GmbH (AEE) for the redevelopment of two critical systems on the next-generation Do228 NXT special mission aircraft. The companies have signed a contract to redesign the engine interface unit (EIU) and the central warning system (CAWS), marking a continuation of their long-standing collaboration.
The EIU acts as a vital bridge between the engines and the aircraft management system, processing and relaying key engine data, flap positions and fluid levels to cockpit displays. The CAWS, on the other hand, ensures that any warning messages are reliably delivered to the cockpit. Additionally, AEE continues to supply various smaller electronic components for the Do228, including thermal controllers, relay boards, and voltage and current indicators.
AEE has previously developed the EIU for the earlier Do 228 NG model launched in 2010. However, with some components now obsolete, a full redesign is necessary. This provides an opportunity to enhance the unit’s performance with several technical upgrades. AEE’s selection for the task is based on its decades of expertise in aviation electronics, particularly in engine interface technology.
The new EIU will feature an additional A429 input to support integration with a future fuel system and manage pressure refuel logic. It will also emulate speed switches, eliminating the need for separate components and streamlining installation. Furthermore, improved analogue sensor calibration will ensure better accuracy, prevent signal drift and reduce system errors.
Both systems are being developed to meet stringent Design Assurance Level B standards, with production and maintenance carried out under AEE’s EASA Part 21G and Part 145 certifications. GA-ATS Managing Director Erik Bollen emphasised the importance of working with trusted local partners to ensure a reliable supply chain as production of the Do228 NXT moves forward.
