|
|
|
| Wednesday, March 07, 2007 |
|
Iraq Air Force Orders Beechcraft King Air 350ERs
By FlyingNews @ 10:29 AM :: 384 Views ::
0 Comments :: Military Aviation, Business Aircraft Manufacturers
|
 |
WICHITA, Kan. (March 6, 2007) – The United States Air Force, Aeronautical Systems Center, has awarded a $132M contract to Raytheon Aircraft Company (RAC) for five Beechcraft King Air 350ER Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft and one Beechcraft King Air 350 light transport aircraft, under a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) case for the Iraq Air Force. The contract includes the integration of various electronic sensors and communications equipment as well as aircraft survivability systems necessary for ISR and light transport missions. Fixed and portable ground stations, training, and logistics support are also included.
The aircraft will be used by the Iraq Air Force to provide border surveillance, monitor insurgent activity, and patrol critical infrastructure assets. Deliveries will begin in late 2007 and, if all planned options for additional ISR and light transport aircraft are exercised, continue into 2010.
“This contract represents a large step forward for the people of Iraq,” said John Brauneis, vice president of Contracts and Special Mission Aircraft. He added: “These aircraft provide the best value solution for aerial surveillance in Iraq, with the goal being to increase stability in the region. We are proud to be part of the solution in the Middle East. Closer to home, this contract, which is the largest single order of King Air 350ERs to date, represents a tremendous opportunity to install the King Air 350ER as the premier special mission platform in the world, offering proven reliability and unparalleled performance and value.”
Developed for special-mission applications, the Beechcraft King Air 350ER is a derivative of the King Air 350 with heavyweight landing gear, long-range nacelle-mounted fuel tanks, and other airframe modifications to support a 1,500 pound increase in gross weight. Adding the nacelle fuel tanks provides the King Air 350ER with over eight hours of endurance and 2,400 nautical miles of range. The King Air 350ER is also available with an executive interior for those commercial customers who have a requirement for added range and/or the need for flexibility to tanker fuel.
|
|
|
|
|
| Comments |
Currently, there are no comments. Be the first to post one!
You must be logged in to post a comment. You can login here
|
|
|