DVIDS – News – US delivers first of three ISR aircraft to Canadian government

The U.S. Army Program Executive Office, Aviation Fixed Wing Projects Directorate, International and Transport Aircraft Product Director (PM FW-ITA), delivered one Beechcraft King Air 350 Extended Range Platform to the Government of Canada on February 22, 2024. . Greenville, Texas.

Upon receipt, Royal Canadian Air Force pilots flew the aircraft to a Canadian Forces base in Trenton, Ontario. The initiative aims to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR)-equipped aircraft to the Canadian Armed Forces, and is the first of three ISR aircraft scheduled to be delivered to Canada this year.

Canada’s Manned Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Foreign Military Sales Program was implemented in May 2019 and was a significant effort and collaboration between the Government of Canada, the Government of the United States, and L3Harris. Along the way, the team has conducted quarterly program management reviews and navigated the COVID-19 pandemic to deliver aircraft built from the ground up at L3Harris.

As required by Canadian National Defense Policy and the Chief of Defense Staff Directive on Force Posture and Readiness for the Canadian Forces (CAF), Canadian Special Operations Command is committed to ensuring that aircraft achieve rapid tactical, operational and strategic effectiveness. It demands what can be achieved. Meeting this mission and strengthening CAF IRS capabilities requires maintaining a readily available and mission-aligned sustainable manned airborne ISR capability within the RCAF.

ITA Deputy Product Director Scott Thovson and PM FW – ITA Case Manager Ken Ols, who have been working on the project for over two years, agree that this deal will greatly benefit CAF’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance efforts. ing. This project has presented many challenges, but it has been extremely rewarding to see the first aircraft completed and delivered.

“The delivery of the aircraft to Canada is a blessing and honors our alliance with Canada,” said Joseph Kidwell Jr., senior central case manager for the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command, which has been managing the Canada program since 2021. It will help us continue to grow.” The United States and Canada continue to maintain one of the world’s greatest military alliances. ”