Modified Cessnas Provide ELINT/COMINT Capabilities

The Mexican Air Force operates at least two airborne ISR systems. Two Cessna CITATION EAGLE II aircraft, registrations 3933 and 3934, were delivered in 2015. Both are equipped with the Airborne Surveillance, Intelligence and Observation (ASIO) system from Bird Aerosystems.

ASIO is specifically designed for electronic intelligence (ELINT) and communications intelligence (COMINT) missions. It normally incorporates an EO/IR high-resolution camera, synthetic aperture radar, sidescan airborne radar, satellite datalink and a wealth of ELINT/COMINT systems.

The aircraft have been modified to receive the ASIO mission equipment, including the creation of a ventral compartment for the advanced surveillance radar. They have also been upgraded with Williams FJ44 engines.