Click here - to select or create a menu

Naval News

DEFEA 2023
  • News
  • Event News
    • DSEI Japan 2023
    • NAVDEX 2023
    • SNA 2023
    • Euronaval 2022
    • Indo Pacific 2022
  • Interviews
  • Videos
  • Advertising
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
Home» News»King Air 350ERs start maritime patrol duties in Africa
IMDEX Asia 2023
This ‘surveillance-ready’ model allows customers to procure a complete capability from Leonardo directly, choosing from a range of in-house or third party platforms and sensors and receiving a mission-ready surveillance capability. Leonardo image.

King Air 350ERs start maritime patrol duties in Africa

Two Beechcraft King Air 350ERs, which Leonardo delivered with built-in surveillance sensors and ATOS mission system, have flown their first missions with an African Navy. Leonardo was prime contractor for the surveillance capability, drawing on its broad expertise to offer the platform, sensors and mission system as a fully integrated package.

Xavier Vavasseur 17 Feb 2020

Leonardo press release

Leonardo has revealed that two King Air 350ERs, equipped as Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA), have gone into service with an African Navy following their delivery by the Company, which acted as prime contractor and systems integrator for the aircraft. The MPAs, equipped with Leonardo’s ATOS mission system and full complement of sensors including its Seaspray E-scan surveillance radar, will be used for a range of missions including search and rescue, littoral security and the monitoring of illegal migration, fishing and pollution.

As prime contractor, Leonardo procured and integrated all required elements and delivered a mission-ready aircraft, certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) as ready to fly. Leonardo sees this model as a growth area for the Company, with its ability to draw on its broad in-house expertise in sensors, mission systems and platform integration allowing it to offer a tailored, mission-ready aircraft to customers in a cost-effective manner. Leonardo also offers this service for mid-life upgrades, taking an existing aircraft and equipping it with advanced new sensors, all controlled through its ATOS mission system.

The suite of surveillance sensors on-board the two King Air 350ER Maritime Patrol Aircraft includes Leonardo’s market-leading E-scan ‘Seaspray’ maritime radar, which comes with a range of modes including a patented small-target-detection function. An Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) transponder and interrogator, Link 11 datalink and third-party electro-optical turret were also integrated, with Leonardo’s ATOS mission system bringing everything together and fusing the data into a workload-reducing ‘single tactical picture’ for operators.

As well as in Africa, Leonardo is seeing interest from customers in Asia Pacific and the Middle East for its ‘surveillance-ready’ offering. It expects to see more customers procuring a complete, tailored capability, benefitting from the flexibility in terms of platform and sensor fit that Leonardo’s end-to-end expertise and flexible ATOS mission system allows it to offer.

ATOS is already in operation on-board more than 10 different aircraft types, with more than 60 systems installed on platforms including the ATR 42(72) MP, DA-62 MSA, Dash-8, Beechcraft KA350, Casa CN235, Piaggio Aero P166, A 109, AW139, AW169, Bell 412 and AS300B3 helicopters.

Leonardo 2020-02-17
Tags Leonardo
Facebook Twitter Stumble linkedin Pinterest More
SAS 2023

Authors

Posted by : Xavier Vavasseur
Xavier is based in Paris, France. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems and a Master of Business Administration from Florida Institute of Technology (FIT). Xavier has been covering naval defense topics for nearly a decade.

Related Articles

Leonardo Torpedoes for K50 KRAKEN Maritime Gunship

Leonardo Torpedoes for K50 KRAKEN Maritime Gunship

Naval News Staff 14 Feb 2023
Kraken announces the signing of a partnership agreement with Leonardo to integrate Black Scorpion mini-torpedo system into the K50 Maritime Gunship.
Italy to further strengthen collaboration with Elefsis Shipyards

Italy to further strengthen collaboration with Elefsis Shipyards

Naval News Staff 14 Feb 2023
Fincantieri and Leonardo have signed a number of further MoU with Elefsis Shipyards and Greek industry for long-term business relationships.
Germany selects Leonardo’s LIONFISH 12.7 mm gun for F126 frigates

Germany selects Leonardo’s LIONFISH 12.7 mm gun for F126 frigates

Naval News Staff 22 Dec 2022
Leonardo's LIONFISH 12.7 Top defense systems have been chosen to equip the German Navy's F126 new class frigates.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Legal / Privacy Policy
About Us
Contact Us

Copyright © 2022 Naval News
All Rights Reserved