L-3 Integrated Systems and Hawker Beechcraft are pursuing what they feel is a worldwide market for 225 intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft valued at $3.8 billion over the coming decade.

The companies' solution - an off-the-shelf Beechcraft King Air 350ER (extended range) modified with sensors, self-protection, data collection and, potentially, weaponry - is an offshoot of their current collaboration for the US Air Force.

Under the $1 billion ongoing programme, the two will equip 37 of the aircraft with ISR equipment for military missions. Eight aircraft have been delivered to date and the USAF last week began using the platform from the Balad air base in Iraq. "It's performing very well," says Terry Harrell, vice-president for special mission programmes at Hawker Beechcraft.

Based on the successful collaboration, L-3 and Hawker Beechcraft now see a burgeoning market for the platform for paramilitary service, with an estimated 75 of the aircraft needed in the USA over the next decade for counter insurgency, border patrol, anti-piracy, drug interdiction, law enforcement and other special missions.

The aircraft, priced at $8 million for the basic aircraft and $5-10 million for the L-3 mission equipment, depending on the requirements, can be missionised in about three months, says Harrell. Overall revenue per aircraft is to be split roughly 60% for L-3 and 40% for Hawker Beechcraft, officials say.

Modifications are likely to include an EO/IR turret on the bottom of the fuselage, a Ku-band satcom dome at the top of the fuselage and self-protection system. Inside the aircraft are two operator stations.

Hawker Beechcraft engineers are evaluating adding hard points to each of the King Air's wings for holding fuel tanks, sensor pods or light attack weapons. Harrell says the full external load would be 450kg (1,000lb).

Without hard points, the ISR aircraft has a maximum payload of 1,270kg, a maximum range of 2,470km (1,335nm) and endurance of 8h on station with the extended range package.

Powered by the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6-60A, the King Air family numbers more than 6,000 in 94 countries, with more than 40 million flight hours logged.

For more information about intelligence, surveillance & reconnaissance aircraft, the ISR Special Report 2009 provides a snapshot of the active ISR fleet market by geographic region and role. The report also features the current major unmanned military platforms and is available to download for FREE.

Source: Flight Daily News

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