The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO) has signed for the 28th and 29th Beechcraft King Air 350/360CER turboprop aircraft from Textron Aviation.

“These two multi-role enforcement aircraft will complete the current acquisition programme and join a fleet of King Air 350 turboprops safeguarding the US border,” says Textron VP of special mission sales Bob Gibbs. “We are also honoured to have recently delivered the 26th aircraft of this type.”

The agency's aircraft are equipped with a sophisticated array of technology that can be deployed for ground interdiction operations, air-to-air intercept operations and medium-range maritime patrols, including active and passive sensors and an optimised communications suite. The aircraft are operated by skilled crewmembers who employ the mission equipment and coordinate information flow to the ground.

The King Air 360ER is an extended range version of the King Air 360 twin-engine turboprop aircraft, resulting in enhanced mission flexibility. Two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60A or optional factory installed PT6A-67A turboprop engines with Hartzell four blade propellers power the aircraft, and a fully integrated Collins Aerospace Pro Line Fusion digital avionics suite provides pilots with touchscreen controls.

Nearly 7,600 King Airs have been delivered to customers around the world since 1964, making it the best-selling business turboprop family in the world. The worldwide fleet has surpassed 62 million flight hours in its 56 years, serving roles in all branches of the US military and flying both commercial and special mission roles around the world.