Catalina Aircraft, holder of the type certificates for the 28-5ACF Catalina, has formalised a production re-start programme for the iconic aircraft as the Next Generation Amphibious Aircraft (NGAA) Catalina II twin turboprop amphibious flying boat and is preparing to take pre-orders.

Based on the design fundamentals of the FAA and Transport Canada large transport category certificated 28-5ACF Catalina amphibious flying boat, the company is offering two new production variants, a NGAA civilian variant and a NGAA special use variant, both of which represent the quintessential standard in airborne amphibious operations for the private, commercial, government and military sectors.

"Interest in the rebirth of this legendary amphibian has been extraordinary. The capabilities this modernised iconic platform offers, being capable of performing so many unique missions and in a variety of market segments, speaks to the heritage of the Catalina product line. The NGAA Catalina II is a modern amphibian with advanced engines and avionics, and will offer capabilities no other amphibian can provide today," says president Lawrence Reece. “We are looking forward to moving this programme forward rapidly.”

The NGAA Catalina II targets two major aircraft client groups, the civilian/commercial operator and the government/military customer. It will be the largest, fastest, longest range, highest payload and most capable amphibious aircraft available worldwide with western certifications, capable of operating from runways, grass, dirt, lakes, rivers, bays and open water. Utilising green energy power initiatives, the NGAA Catalina II provides significant capabilities expansion over many current platforms employed in amphibious operations today, and unmatched precision, speed and flexibility from land to air to sea.

The civilian variant is a new production 32,000 lb MTOW, unpressurised, twin turboprop, sea state 2 capable, amphibious flying boat designed to accommodate up to 34 passengers or 12,000 pounds of cargo operating in the private and commercial market segments.

The special use variant is a new production 40,000 pound MTOW, unpressurised, twin turboprop, sea state 3 capable, amphibious flying boat geared to support government and military type CONcepts of OPerations (CONOPs).

Both are constructed using modern corrosion resistant materials, assembly practices and supportability initiatives to ensure the material availability and operational availability remain at the highest rates possible. Many existing and proven in-service systems are employed to minimise logistics footprint growth and provide for commonality of components between the NGAA Catalina II and existing/emerging in-service aerial platforms. With an almost limitless multi-CONOPs potential from a single platform, the NGAA Catalina II offers a single asset solution capable of replacing several existing platform types, reducing overall acquisition, operational and sustainment costs.

Pricing has not been announced yet, while deliveries are expected to begin in 2029.