Next Generation Surveillance Aircraft Suitable for Military and Civilian Uses

Next Generation Surveillance Aircraft Suitable for Military and Civilian Uses

Aerial photography of the Textron Beechcraft Special Missions King Air 350ER over the Blackwater National Wildlife Reserve. The 350ER is equipped with engine nacelle fuel tanks that extends its range and a gravel kit for unimproved field operations.Blackwater National Wildlife ReserveFrederick MD USA

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Today’s complex Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) environment requires complete end-to-end solutions tailored to fit various mission requirements

SPYDR II is a next-generation small manned airborne ISR aircraft that is specifically designed for military and civilian customers. L-3 Communications intends to sell the aircraft to military allies, as well as to potential customs and border patrol customers.

The SPYDR II was displayed for the first time at this year’s Farnborough International Airshow, integrated onto a Beechcraft King Air 350ER-derived surveillance aircraft.

According to Flight Global, the system is capable of performing a wide range of tactical ISR duties. It leverages L-3’s experience with the US Air Force’s Project Liberty, which rapidly fielded a fleet of more than 70 King Air-based MC-12Ws.

Tailored to fit varying mission requirements, Spydr II uses roll-on, roll-off mission equipment and modular sensors to provide a rapidly reconfigurable capability, says John Koziol, the company’s vice-president, ISR systems, who previously headed the Project Liberty acquisition for the USAF.

A four-member crew comprises two pilots, a full-motion video operator at a console with two 22in monitors, and a linguist in the rear of the cabin. Maximum flight endurance is up to 9h with additional fuel tanks, which means the aircraft can fly 563km from an operating base and remain on station for 6h.

During an operation, the aircraft can relay real-time video to soldiers equipped with Rover terminals, or via satellite communications to a command centre.

Using its rapid aircraft payload deployment system, L-3 has designed the Spydr II to be capable of carrying 26 different sensors beneath its fuselage; also including foliage penetrating, ground/dismount moving target indication and maritime search radars. It also can be configured to carry a pair of light detection and ranging payloads to conduct 3D mapping work.

Koziol says L-3 is investigating the potential to add under-wing hardpoints for weapons carriage, and next year will begin looking at the integration of systems such as Raytheon’s lightweight Griffin weapon system.

According to IHS Jane’s 360, the company’s Rapid Aircraft Payload Deployment System (RAPDS) turns the aircraft into a truly reconfigurable plug-and-play ISR platform in which any given sensor fit can be swapped out within a matter of hours, enabling the user to tailor the sensor payload to changing operational requirements or to incorporate upgraded sensor technologies as they emerge.