18 February 2020: 18 February 2020: The two Beechcraft King Air 350ERs, Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) are equipped with built-in surveillance sensors such as Seaspray E-scan surveillance radar and ATOS mission system.
These aircraft will be used for a range of missions like search and rescue, littoral security and the monitoring of illegal migration, fishing and pollution.
With the broad expertise of Leonardo to offer the platform, sensors and mission system for surveillance capability as a full integrated package, naturally they were the first choice as prime contractors.
The EASA certified mission-ready aircraft with its ability to draw on its broad in-house expertise in sensors, mission systems and platform integration offers the customer a tailored, mission-ready aircraft in a cost-effective manner.
Leonardo also offers service for mid-life upgrades, taking an existing aircraft and equipping it with advanced new sensors, all controlled through its ATOS mission system.
The market-leading E-scan Seaspray maritime radar which is on-board the two King Air 350ER Maritime Patrol Aircraft include
-A patented small-target-detection function
-An Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) transponder and interrogator
-Link 11 datalink and third-party electro-optical turret
The ATOS mission system brings everything together and fuses the data into a workload reducing single tactical picture for operators. 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.
Apart from Africa, Leonardo is eyeing customers in Asia Pacific and the Middle East for its 'surveillance-ready' offering.