The new Textron Aviation is here at Farnborough (Outdoor Exhibit L2) to show a portfolio of current production aircraft that are available in special mission configurations. The company is displaying a special mission Beechcraft King Air 350ER among other aircraft.

In March, Providence, Rhode Island-based Textron acquired the parent company of Beechcraft for $1.4 billion. It then combined Beechcraft and the former Hawker with its own Cessna Aircraft subsidiary to create Textron Aviation, offering a range of single-engine piston, turboprop and jet aircraft.

All 20 current production aircraft can be configured for different mission profiles, the company said. “With the combination of the Beechcraft and Cessna products within Textron Aviation, we now offer the largest proposition of special mission platforms in the industry,” declared Dan Keady, vice president for special missions.

At Farnborough, Textron Aviation’s display includes a specially modified Beechcraft King Air 350ER, which is operated “out of Northern Europe” and fitted with a mission package for search and rescue, fishery inspection, pollution monitoring and shipping lane surveillance missions. The company will is also featuringe on static display a Grand Caravan EX single-engine turboprop, AT-6 light attack turboprop, T-6C Texan trainer and the new Textron AirLand Scorpion light tactical jet.

“There have been a number of factors fueling the special mission business,” said Keady. “Two key factors include advances in on-board technology, which means aircraft such as our turboprops can be used for missions previously requiring larger, more expensive military aircraft. In addition, more organizations are looking to use their business aircraft for multiple roles, which could include using a King Air for executive or utility transport while having the ability to quickly adapt it to an air ambulance configuration, for example.”