US Army receives 10th upgraded Hawker Beechcraft King Air 350 spy aircraft.

The Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) has delivered its 10th upgraded Enhanced Medium Altitude Reconnaissance and Surveillance System aircraft to the US Army, Inder Singh Bisht reports in The Defense Post.

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Hawker Beechcraft King Air 350 with Enhanced Medium Altitude Reconnaissance and Surveillance System (Picture source: U.S. Army)

The Nevada-based defense contractor installed its Mission Enhancement Kit on the Hawker Beechcraft King Air 350 aircraft, enhancing its engine performance and reducing weight and sound signature. The modifications allow the aircraft to carry more fuel, increasing its flight time. The upgraded aircraft will also be able to take off from shorter runways, enabling it to operate in more constraining environments.

Operating since 2016, the aircraft is fitted with cameras, software, antennas, intelligence databases, and electronic equipment to detect, identify and track ground-based enemy movements. Its open architecture allows the integration of a range of sensors and software depending upon mission requirements.

The Beechcraft C-12 Huron is the military designation for a series of twin-engine turboprop aircraft based on the Beechcraft Super King Air and Beechcraft 1900. C-12 variants are used by the United States Air Force, United States Army, United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps. These aircraft are used for various duties, including embassy support, medical evacuation, as well as passenger and light cargo transport. Some aircraft are modified with surveillance systems for various missions, including the Cefly Lancer, Beechcraft RC-12 Guardrail and Project Liberty programs.

King Air 350-based variants:
• C-12S: U.S. Army version based on the King Air 350, with seating for 8 to 15 passengers and quick cargo conversion capability.
• MC-12W: USAF version modified for the Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) role; originally 8 King Air 350s and 29 King Air 350ERs and ending with 42 350ERs (including one combat loss). In service since June 2009 in Iraq and Afghanistan and globally for USSOCOM. All aircraft were transferred to USSOCOM, US Army, and other US government agencies by 2015.
• UC-12W: U.S. Navy version based on the King Air 350.
• MC-12S (EMARSS-S): U.S. Army nomenclature for the modified MC-12W aircraft.