The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency granted approval for the possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Kuwait of four Beechcraft King Air 350ER intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft at the cost of $259 million on February 21. The package includes, in addition to the four King Air 350ERs airframes, nine enhanced PT6A-67A engines; four AAQ-35 Wescam MX-15HDi electro-optical/infrared imaging systems; four Selex Seaspray 7500E active electronically scanned array radars; AAR-47 missile warning systems; ALE-47 countermeasure dispenser systems; secure communications, cryptographic, and precision navigation equipment; identification friend or foe systems and aircraft modification. Also included is the integration of ISR mission systems with the airframes and the design and construction of ground facilities including data processing systems and support equipment. Spare parts, support and test equipment, simulators, training and training equipment are all included as are the cost of publications and technical documentation, US government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services.
One of the four aircraft will be modified as a VIP transport and be fitted with a medevac capability as well as modifications to enable a command and control node role to be undertaken. Announcing the deal, the DSCA said: “The proposed sale will enable Kuwait to gather its own airborne ISR data. This capability will improve Kuwait’s situational awareness, armed forces posture, and armed forces capability to respond to threats. The King Air 350ER ISR is part of the Kuwaiti Air Force’s rapid expansion and modernization effort and is a priority for Kuwait and the United States.” Principal contractor is Sierra Nevada Corporation.
