The Israeli navy has abandoned a decision to replace its Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) Sea Scan modified business jets, used for maritime surveillance, with Raytheon Beech King Air B200s. The Sea Scans will receive upgrades instead.
Three aircraft operated for the navy by the Israeli air force are used to patrol the coastline.
Sources say the plan to use the turboprop-powered King Air has been dropped as it is too slow for the mission and has other limitations.
IAI will upgrade the Sea Scans with new systems, including an Elta search radar in place of the Litton 360í scan system. A replacement engine has not been selected but the current Honeywell TFE731-3A could be replaced relatively easily by the-40 version, which powers the IAI-designed Gulfstream G100 (previously Astra SPX).
Source: Flight International
