The Royal Moroccan Navy receives two King Air 359ER Maritime Surveillance aircraft

The Royal Moroccan Navy is taking delivery of two King Air 350ER aircraft configured for maritime surveillance.

The two King Air 350ER aircraft which were manufactured in the United States in 2016 and subsequently transferred to France in 2017/18 to have their special mission equipment fitted.

Both aircraft are distinguishable by ventral fins and bubble observation windows. Equipment for the maritime surveillance role includes the Leonardo ATOS (Airborne Tactical Observation and Surveillance) system, Seaspray 7300 radar, identification friend or foe system, Link 11 data link and EOST23 electro-optical sensor.

With an endurance, or time on station, of more than 5 hours, the Beechcraft 350ERs will be used for a number of roles including maritime surveillance, search and rescue and marine pollution detection.

Both aircraft will join three AS565 Panthers, which were delivered in 2002 and a dozen Beechcraft 100/200/300/350 aircraft, which will make maintenance easier. The Navy also operates two King Air 350ER which was supplied by Leonardo in July 2016, both aircraft are equipped with the ATOS mission system.

Recently, the Royal Moroccan Navy took delivery of a new 72-meter hydro-oceanographic and multi-missions vessel (BHO2M) named “DAR AL BEIDA” from French shipbuilding company Piriou.

Dar al Beida will enable the Royal Moroccan Navy the ability to carry out to carry out in-depth surveys of its waters such as hydrographic surveying for civil and military purposes, understanding the seabed, salinity and temperature of the ocean will help submariners, for example. The Royal Mooccan Navy formerly relied on France to map the seabed in Morocco’s deeper offshore waters since Morocco is a member of the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO).