Sierra Nevada Corp delivers two EMARSS aircraft with Mission Enhancement Kits to US Army

Beechcraft King Air 350ERs integrated with Sierra Nevada Mission Enhancement Kits for the US Army's Enhanced Medium Altitude Reconnaissance and Surveillance System fleet of aircraft. The US Army has procured 16 King Air 350ER MEKs. SNC delivered the ninth system in November. (Sierra Nevada Corp)

Sierra Nevada Corp (SNC) has delivered two Beechcraft King Air 350ERs integrated with Mission Enhancement Kits (MEKs) to the US Army for its fleet of Enhanced Medium Altitude Reconnaissance and Surveillance System (EMARSS) aircraft, according to a 3 November company statement.

The King Air 350ER MEK reduces aircraft weight, increases engine performance, and lowers the overall sound signature to improve the platform's capabilities in high-altitude areas. The King Air 350ER MEK also enables operations on shorter runways, making the aircraft more suitable for a wider variety of operational environments.

The US Army has procured 16 King Air 350ER MEKs. SNC delivered the ninth system in November, totalling three deliveries for 2021. SNC has not responded to a request for comment at the time of publication. A request for comment was made to the US Army, too, prior to publication.

The King Air 350ER MEKs include Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67A free-turbine turboprop engines, lightweight composite propellers and lithium ion batteries, and anti-lock braking systems, according to the US Army's fiscal year (FY) 2022 budget request. These enhancements are designed to increase endurance and safety and reduce risk in the extreme environmental conditions of high altitude and hot temperature conditions. The King Air 350ER MEKs also increase operational capability by allowing the aircraft to carry more fuel, which allows more time on station.