350 Turboprops Modified To Military Specs

The first special mission King Air 350 for the United States Marine Corps (USMC) was rolled out by Hawker Beechcraft in a ceremony Tuesday at its headquarters in Wichita, KS. The USMC awarded the defense contract for six modified King Air 350 turboprops, designated by the military as the UC-12W Huron, to HBC in July 2008 to replace six of their current UC-12 Operational Support Airlift (OSA) aircraft. Included in the contract are options allowing for replacement of the remaining six UC-12 aircraft in the fleet.

UC-12 File Photo

"Roll out of the UC-12W is an important milestone for the U.S. Marine Corps OSA community," said Jim Maslowski, HBC president, U.S. and International Government Business. "With its enhanced range, payload, avionics and aircraft survivability suite, introduction of the UC-12W into the inventory will provide the forward-deployed Marine Air-Ground Task Force relevant and sustainable OSA and critical flexibility. We are appreciative of the Kansas Delegation who played a critical role in obtaining the funding for this important contract as these aircraft will provide all-important operational support to our troops."
 
Joining HBC officials for the ceremony were Lt. Gen. George Trautman, USMC Deputy Commandant for Aviation; Maj. Gen. John Croley, Commanding General 4th Marine Aircraft Wing; and Maj. Gen. (Select) Jon Davis, Assistant Deputy Commandant for Aviation. In addition, representatives from Naval Air Systems Command and the Defense Contract Management Agency attended the ceremony.
 
The current UC-12 aircraft are military transport versions of the Beechcraft King Air 200, which have been providing urgent intra-theater transport of high priority cargo/passengers to the USMC for the last 20 years. The UC-12W, a modified version of the King Air 350 equipped with a cargo door and military required equipment, is a modern and improved version of the UC-12.

FMI: www.usmc.mil, www.hawkerbeachcraft.con