Hawker Beechcraft Delivers First of 23 King Air 350ER to U.S. Air Force

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WICHITA, Kan. (April 10, 2009) – Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) has delivered the first special mission extended-range (ER) King Air 350 to the United States Air Force. The versatile King Air 350ER is part of the Beechcraft King Air family – the world’s best selling turboprop line of all time.

The U.S. Air Force awarded the contract for 23 King Air 350ER turboprops, designated by the military as the MC-12W, to HBC last November. In total, the project has an estimated value of $171 million.

“This contract shows the strength of our special mission aircraft and our relationship with the U.S. Department of Defense,” said Jim Maslowski, president, U.S. and International Government Business. “We are proud to provide this crucial tool to our military for this important mission.”

Visiting HBC for the delivery were Lieutenant General David A. Deptula, Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, and Brigadier General Blair E. Hansen, Director of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Capabilities, Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance. The remainder of the aircraft will be delivered by the end of July.

The King Air 350ER, a derivative of the King Air 350, provides extended range through the addition of nacelle fuel tanks, along with an increase in gross weight from 15,000 to 16,500 pounds and the incorporation of heavy-weight landing gear. Modified with military-required equipment, the MC-12W provides the Air Force with advanced technology and reliability.

The King Air 350ER is ideally suited for use in special missions as an airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance platform. The aircraft can provide more than eight hours of endurance and has the flexibility to loiter low and slow or cruise at 300 knots and 35,000 feet.

Taking off at gross weight with full fuel and full payload, the King Air 350ER can fly out 100 nautical miles (= 185,2 km), perform a low altitude surveillance mission for 7 hours and 20 minutes, fly back 100 nautical miles (= 185,2 km), and still land with more than 45 minutes of fuel on board. No other aircraft in its class can come close to this performance.

Source: Hawker Beechcraft

 

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Mississippi Air National Guard receives first MC-12 aircraft
UNITED STATES - 29 APRIL 2009

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va -- The Mississippi Air National Guard's 186th Air Refueling Wing welcomed the arrival of the first MC-12W yesterday at Key Field, Meridian, Miss.

The arrival of the aircraft is part of the agreement between the Air Force and Air National Guard to establish a temporary MC-12 mission qualification training detachment.

The MC-12 is the U.S. Air Force's newest intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform, which was fielded under an ambitious timeline to meet ground support requirements for today's fight. Program known as Project Liberty, the MC-12 is an Air Combat Command asset, fielded to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to serve critical roles in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

"The Air National Guard is excited to be a part of this important mission and to play a critical role in providing this needed capability to today's fight," said Gen. Craig R. McKinley, Air National Guard director.

Temporarily basing the MC-12 training location in Mississippi provides several benefits. The 186th ARW is able to immediately support the mission and they bring over 12 years of manned ISR experience from their RC-26 work in the counterdrug program, as well as multiple overseas deployments in support of OIF and the fight against terror. In addition, avoiding the need to send active-duty instructors to the training location will reduce the strain on active-duty manpower and save money in travel costs.

"The Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. William L. Freeman Jr., and I are very proud that the 186th Refueling Wing was chosen for this very important mission," said Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour. "This wing has shown success time after time because of the dedication and professionalism of its officers and Airmen."