Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) has delivered two more fully integrated Mission Enhancement Kit (MEK) aircraft in support of the U.S. Army’s surveillance operations.
SNC’s MEK adds enhanced mission capabilities to the Army’s Enhanced Medium Altitude Reconnaissance and Surveillance System (EMARSS) fleet.
“Increasing safety while maintaining diverse mission capabilities is of the utmost importance for us at SNC,” said Tim Owings, executive vice president of SNC’s Mission Solutions and Technologies business area.
“We are honored by the Army’s continued trust in us to provide this game-changing technology for these critical missions.”
The King Air 350 MEK reduces aircraft weight, increases engine performance and significantly reduces the overall sound signature to enhance its stealth capabilities in high-altitude areas. SNC modifies the aircraft to increase time aloft and allow for additional operating weight without greater take-off risk. It also enables operations on shorter runways, making the aircraft more suitable for a wider variety of operational environments. This provides customers with versatile multi-mission and special mission capabilities, increased aircraft performance and safety.
The Army has procured 16 MEKs to date. SNC delivered the ninth MEK integrated aircraft this month, totaling three deliveries this year. SNC will continue to perform work covered by this contract from its facilities in Hagerstown, Maryland.
