Hawker Beechcraft Proposing King Air 350ER for U.S. Army EMARSS Program

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC), which has a long tradition of supplying special mission aircraft to the United States Department of Defense, is proposing its Beechcraft King Air 350ER to potential prime contractors vying for the U.S. Army’s newly announced Enhanced Medium Altitude Reconnaissance Surveillance System (EMARSS). HBC currently provides King Air 350ER aircraft to the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Marine Corps for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

“The King Air 350ER already has an established track record for this type of mission,” said Jim Maslowski, HBC president, U.S. and International Government Business. “No other commercially available aircraft can compete with the King Air 350ER for this role. It is the economical alternative and it combines exceptional endurance and payload characteristics. It is the logical choice regardless of which military branch is defining the mission.”

The Army is currently planning to acquire a manned multi-intelligence airborne ISR system to provide a persistent capability to detect, locate, classify, identify and track surface targets in virtually any weather and lighting conditions. The airborne intelligence collection, processing and targeting support system will be located with Aerial Exploitation Battalions assigned to the Army’s Intelligence and Security Command. The Army’s intention is to field the first four EMARSS units within 18 months of contract award.

A derivative of the King Air 350 twin turboprop, the 350ER 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. The King Air 350ER 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, perform a low altitude surveillance mission for 7 hours and 20 minutes, fly back 100 nautical miles and still land with over 45 minutes of fuel on board. No other aircraft in its class can come close to this performance. The King Air 350ER can be modified with a wide range of military required equipment and provide the Army with advanced technology and reliability.

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation is a world-leading manufacturer of business, special mission and trainer aircraft – designing, marketing and supporting aviation products and services for businesses, governments and individuals worldwide. The company’s headquarters and major facilities are located in Wichita, Kan., with operations in Salina, Kan.; Little Rock, Ark.; Chester, England, U.K.; and Chihuahua, Mexico. The company leads the industry with a global network of more than 100 factory-owned and authorized service centers. For more information, visit www.hawkerbeechcraft.com.