Manufacturer aims to draw customers away from less economical larger aircraft
Raytheon Aircraft plans to test fly a missionised version of its Beechcraft King Air 350 by year-end and start customer deliveries in 2006. The new platform is being marketed at maritime patrol and surveillance operators and government agencies responsible for border control and homeland security.
A mock-up of the new system will debut at June's Paris air show, says Mark Qualls, the company's business development manager for special mission systems. The manufacturer will then begin a six-month integration effort at its Wichita site in Kansas before flying a fully equipped prototype late this year. This will be certificated early next year and debut at February's Asian Aerospace exhibition in Singapore.
The King Air 350 special mission aircraft will incorporate radars, reconnaissance systems and other equipment produced by divisions of Raytheon, with the aircraft already certificated for an increased maximum take-off weight of 7,480kg (16,500lb). Fuel system improvements are expected to produce a 7h endurance.
Qualls says by offering extended range and by meeting 85% of a typical maritime patrol requirement, Raytheon aims to convince countries to select the system – which has a targeted unit price of $13-14 million – in preference to larger aircraft. The King Air 350 will provide "better economy with half the operational cost", he says. Raytheon estimates a worldwide demand for 300-400 maritime aircraft over the next five years.
The company has so far only made informal presentations to potential customers, but plans to soon begin submitting bids. Brunei, India, Malaysia and Thailand have been looking at turboprops to meet maritime surveillance requirements.
Missionised King Airs and Beechcraft 1900s have previously been promoted by non-affiliated modification companies and Raytheon agent Hawker Pacific.
Source: Flight International
