Ground and Air Intercept and Maritime Patrol Roles
Textron Aviation has been awarded a contract to supply two further Beechcraft KING AIR 350CER aircraft to the US Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations (CBP AMO), the company announced on 13 October.
“These two Multi-role Enforcement Aircraft (MEA) aircraft will join a fleet of KING AIR 350 turboprops used to safeguard the United States as part of the coordinated application of AMO’s aviation and maritime law enforcement resources,” commented Bob Gibbs, VP, Special Mission Sales. “This represents the third and fourth Beechcraft KING AIR 350CER ordered for AMO in 2020.”
The agency’s aircraft are equipped with a sophisticated array of technology that can be deployed for ground interdiction operations, air-to-air intercept operations and medium-range maritime patrols, including active and passive sensors and an optimised communications suite. An extended-range version of the KING AIR 350i twin-engine turboprop aircraft configured with an optional cargo door, the 350CER offers enhanced mission flexibility.
Nearly 7,600 KING AIRs have been delivered to customers around the world since 1964, making it the best-selling business turboprop family in the world. The worldwide fleet has surpassed 62 million flight hours in its 56 years, serving roles in all branches of the US military and flying both commercial and special mission roles around the world.