Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) has received a follow-on contract to build six additional King Air 350ER special mission aircraft for the US Air Force in support of Project Liberty.
Designated MC-12W by the military, the King Air 350ER aircraft with military equipment will provide the air force with advanced technology and reliability.
The addition of nacelle fuel tanks for extended flight and incorporation of heavyweight landing gear has increased the 350ER's gross weight from 15,000lb to 16,500lb.
The aircraft, a derivative of the King Air 350, can be effectively used in special missions including airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) platform.
The aircraft provides more than eight hours of endurance and has the flexibility to loiter low and slow or cruise at 300 knots and 35,000ft.
The 350ER with full fuel and full payload can fly out 100 nautical miles, perform a low altitude surveillance mission for 7 hours and 20 minutes, fly back 100 nautical miles. It can even land with more than 45 minutes of fuel on board.
The contract amount for the additional six aircraft is expected to be $45 million.
Deliveries are expected to be complete by the end of 2009.
