PAF acquiring two King Air 350 ISR aircrafts

[PAFAce]

Paris Air Show: ISR King Air 350 offered for export

Michael J Gething JDW Contributing Editor - Paris

In the wake of the US Air Force's (USAF's) first MC-12W 'Project Liberty' operations, L-3 Communications' Integrated Systems Group and Hawker Beechcraft used the Paris Air Show to announce a teaming agreement to promote a similarly configured aircraft, known as the ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) King Air 350, on the international market.

Displayed with a mocked-up ventral sensor pack, which includes the L-3 Wescam MX-15 sensor turret, and dorsal satellite communications 'dome' (but no internal sensor stations), the King Air 350 is being promoted to other operators requiring manned ISR capabilities. A sensor payload of up to 28,000 lb (12,700 kg) would allow six hours endurance on station.

With the USAF committed to 31 aircraft (and an option for a further six due to be confirmed in July), L-3's Allison Hartley indicated that domestic procurement could rise to 75 aircraft. "We see a considerable market for this type of aircraft," she said, suggesting a total of 150 international sales, worth a potential USD2.5 billion (including support). Iraq and Pakistan are slated to be lead-in customers amongst others in the middle-east and asia.

No... Mother... Freaking... Way!

I worked on that turret! The Cutout Control System inside it is pretty much my design! I did most of the coding and the integration! Unbelievable!

Can't believe my engineering work will help the Pakistan Air Force with actual ISR! What a shock!

Don't believe me? Check my Resume on my website.

 

[subanday]

PAFace, aap chaa gye ho...

 

[Last Hope]

When are they supposed to be handed over??

What is the unit price??

Why do we need these for when we have got excellent radar and AWACS ?

Still, great news

 

[mjnaushad]

No... Mother... Freaking... Way!

I worked on that turret! The Cutout Control System inside it is pretty much my design! I did most of the coding and the integration! Unbelievable!

Can't believe my engineering work will help the Pakistan Air Force with actual ISR! What a shock!

Don't believe me? Check my Resume on my website.

Great...

This I found on internet. Is this the same you worked on.
L-3 Communications WESCAM

Can you tell us more about it. The things not available on net

 

[PAFAce]

Is this the same you worked on.
L-3 Communications WESCAM

Can you tell us more about it. The things not available on net

Yep, that's the exact model, MX-15 multiple sensor turret system. Most of the stuff you guys care about is already available online. The only things I know that you can't get online are internal to the system. This is a Level B system as per DO-254 standards, which is pretty serious. Hence, I'll keep the information to myself, lest the RCMP cones knockin on my door. I remember when I asked which aircraft it was going to be fitted on next, I was told that information is revealed on a "need to know basis". Since I'm just a lowly engineer, I didn't "need to know". Hence my surprise.

By the way, think of this thing as a FLIR and laser targeting pod without the missiles on-board. Just because it says ISR doesn't mean it can't be used other "activities".

 

[MJaa]

Pakistan has bought two new SIGINT aircrafts (variant of King Air 350).

King Air 350 Pilot Training (Pakistan)


Source: http://bit.ly/9ulFxg

Solicitation Number:
F3PH310097A005
Notice Type:
Cancellation


Doesn't this means that contract is canceled?

All i was able to find is this

Pakistan Government purchased two specially modified King Air 350 aircraft under FMS case G2-D-SAH

While modified King Air 350 could be ISR version (i for one really hope that this is the case as PAF/PA lack in this area) but it could also mean some other modifications for PAF

or i cant see cause of tiredness and i am missing ISR part

 

[notorious_eagle]

No... Mother... Freaking... Way!

I worked on that turret! The Cutout Control System inside it is pretty much my design! I did most of the coding and the integration! Unbelievable!

Can't believe my engineering work will help the Pakistan Air Force with actual ISR! What a shock!

Don't believe me? Check my Resume on my website.

You have done a great service to your country friend, God Bless You .

This plane is a welcome addition to our fleet, not only can it gather signals and intel but is an excellent platform for surveillance and reconnaissance. It will provide great benefits to our officers on the ground in FATA; mapping the area, and escorting our conveys to look out for any ambushes or hidden IED's.

 

[fatman17]

At one point, and if I remember correctly, PA was operating a pair of OV-1 Bronco's with a side looking fixed radar for battlefield survailance etc.

Does any one knows what happened to these a/c's?

only rumour!!

 

[Aamir Hussain]

only rumour!!

I know two were given to PA (Ex US army) back in 80's. Let me find a reference and get back to you on this.

 

[Aamir Hussain]

only rumour!!

A little Correction; the a/c I was talking about was an OV 1 Mohawk tail number 69-17020. It was actually a OV-1D with SLAR -- it was a consolidated sensor version.

I believe two were supplied to PA

Sir, do you know anything about their status. Would be obliged if you can update their status.

 

[mughaljee]

another good material added into PAF arsenal.

 

[Myth_buster_1]

No... Mother... Freaking... Way!

I worked on that turret! The Cutout Control System inside it is pretty much my design! I did most of the coding and the integration! Unbelievable!

Can't believe my engineering work will help the Pakistan Air Force with actual ISR! What a shock!

Don't believe me? Check my Resume on my website.

NO freakin way??? thats youuu? woow man.. keep it up..

 

[fatman17]

A little Correction; the a/c I was talking about was an OV 1 Mohawk tail number 69-17020. It was actually a OV-1D with SLAR -- it was a consolidated sensor version.

I believe two were supplied to PA

Sir, do you know anything about their status. Would be obliged if you can update their status.

i am assuming they were US property on 'loan' just like the RB-57s and returned to the US. never seen a pic of this type with PAF 'green and white' roundel.

 

[SQ8]

Yep, that's the exact model, MX-15 multiple sensor turret system. Most of the stuff you guys care about is already available online. The only things I know that you can't get online are internal to the system. This is a Level B system as per DO-254 standards, which is pretty serious. Hence, I'll keep the information to myself, lest the RCMP cones knockin on my door. I remember when I asked which aircraft it was going to be fitted on next, I was told that information is revealed on a "need to know basis". Since I'm just a lowly engineer, I didn't "need to know". Hence my surprise.

By the way, think of this thing as a FLIR and laser targeting pod without the missiles on-board. Just because it says ISR doesn't mean it can't be used other "activities".

Now you got me interested
Any reason for using the Virtex? from your description on the resume i am guessing the tasks could be accomplished using an ARM core as well..
Was there a governing processor on top of the FPGA?.. I am assuming that the Laser Control Unit wasn't a standalone component for the turret?

 

[skybolt]