Delivery of the first of three ISR Aircraft to the Canadian Government.

On February 22, 2024, the U.S. Army's Program Executive Office for Aviation's Fixed Wing Project Office, specifically the Product Director for International and Transport Aircraft (PM FW-ITA), delivered a Beechcraft King Air 350 Extended Range aircraft to the Canadian government. This event took place at the L3Harris facility in Greenville, Texas, marking the delivery of the first of three intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft slated for Canada within the year.
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On February 22, 2024, the U.S. Army's PM FW-ITA office delivered a Beechcraft King Air 350 Extended Range aircraft to the Canadian government at the L3Harris facility in Greenville, Texas (Picture source: US DoD)

Following its acceptance, the aircraft was flown to the Canadian Forces Base in Trenton, Ontario, by a Royal Canadian Air Force pilot. This delivery is part of an initiative to equip the Canadian Armed Forces with ISR-capable aircraft, thereby enhancing their intelligence capabilities.

The Canadian Manned Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Foreign Military Sales program, initiated in May 2019, represents a significant collaboration between the governments of Canada and the United States, along with L3Harris. Throughout the program, the team has conducted quarterly program management reviews and navigated the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic to deliver this custom-built aircraft from L3Harris.

In alignment with Canada's defense policy and the Chief of the Defense Staff's directive for the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Force Posture and Readiness, the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command requires an aircraft capable of quickly achieving tactical, operational, and strategic objectives. To meet this requirement and enhance CAF ISR capabilities, it is essential to maintain a mission-adaptable, sustainable manned airborne ISR capacity within the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Scott Thovson, Deputy Product Director at ITA, and Ken Ols, PM FW-ITA Case Manager, who have contributed over two years to this project, concur that this transfer significantly benefits the CAF in intelligence gathering, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations. They acknowledge the challenges faced during the project but find the delivery of the first aircraft to be particularly fulfilling.

Defense News April 2024