History

A history of adaptation and technological creativity.

Founded in 2008 and headquartered near Wonderboom Airport in Pretoria, South Africa, Braddick is a specialised engineering firm known for custom airframe modernisations and tactical military hardware.

Origins & Airframe Conversions

• The "Turbo Dakota" Legacy: Braddick gained international recognition for its extensive modification programs on legacy Douglas DC-3 / C-47 airframes. By retrofitting original radial-engine aircraft with Pratt & Whitney PT6A turboprop engines (producing variants like the DC3-65TP / 67RTP). This dramatically extended their operational lifespan for tactical transport, cargo, and maritime patrol.

• Military Aviation Support: Beyond private operators, the company supplied key maintenance, modification, and engineering support for military transport assets, including the South African Air Force's turbine Dakota fleet.

Tactical Defense & UAV Innovation

• Lock-Wing VTOL Drones: Tailored to tackle regional security challenges such as anti-poaching, maritime piracy, and border monitoring, these lock-wing aircraft combined vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities with high-speed fixed-wing cruise flight.

• Specialised Arms & Hardware: The defense division also developed precision small arms and ground equipment, notably showcasing weapons such as the Braddick .338LM Special Forces Sniper Rifle at major defense events.

Turnkey Engineering Capabilities

• Agile Defense Niche: Rather than competing head-to-head with massive multinational primes, Braddick built its market presence by remaining a flexible, high-precision engineering partner capable of rapid prototyping and tailored modifications.

By linking heavy turboprop aircraft conversions with tactical drone and small-arms design, Braddick established a distinct footprint in African aerospace engineering—delivering high-end, purpose-built military and commercial solutions.