CBP Keeping Maryland Workers Busy On Newest Border Security And Detection Aircraft

U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP’s) Office of Air and Marine (OAM) fleet of Multi-Role Enforcement Aircraft (MEA) is undergoing extensive modification of an integrated sensory package installations and the work is being done by Sierra Nevada Corporation employees in Hagerstown, MD.

CBP accepted the sixth and latest modified multi-role enforcement aircraft from Sierra Nevada Wednesday. It will be based in Jacksonville, FL.

The MEA, a highly sophisticated airborne detection platform, is based on a Beechcraft Super King Air 350ER. The stock aircraft is sent to Sierra Nevada, where the airframe is modified and then equipped with state-of-the-art detection, tracking and surveillance systems.

Presently, five aircraft are flying out of operating locations in San Diego and Jacksonville. One additionally aircraft is planned for delivery in April, and another in October. CBP awarded a contract to Sierra Nevada in September 2009 to modify up to 30 MEAs.

“The Multi-Role Enforcement Aircraft is a vital component of  U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s border security mission, and the work being performed by the men and women at Sierra Nevada Corporation’s facility in Hagerstown is instrumental to our ability to carry out that vital mission,” said Edward Young, Deputy Assistant Commissioner for OAM.

The MEA has a maximum speed of 270 knots, maximum range of 1,620 nautical miles and an endurance of five hours. The crew compliment is two pilots and two sensor operators.

It is equipped with global positioning systems, weather radar, wide-area air and marine surveillance and search radar, ground-moving target indicator, digital video and audio recorders, and an electro-optical/infrared camera, which allows for optimal surveillance capability during day or night.

The MEA enhances law enforcement and emergency efforts by providing a rapid-response deployment capability.

(Images provided by CBP)

FMI: http://cbp.gov/xp/cgov/border_security/am