The Armed Forces of Malta's new maritime patrol aircraft was officially rolled out at Hawker Beechcraft's facilities in Wichita, Kansas, USA last week.

The King Air B200 aircraft is undergoing flight and systems testing by the company before being flown to Germany.

Once there, Aerodata AG in Braunschweig will fit the aircraft with a maritime surveillance and imaging radar, besides other mission-related electronics, and then deliver it to the AFM's Air Wing early in February.

The aircraft, being partly financed through the EU External Borders Fund, is a highly successful twin-engine turbo prop utility aircraft that has been in production in various guises since 1972, with over 3,500 now in service all over the world.

The AFM's version of the aircraft features a fully digital cockpit, increased maximum take-off weight and specialised surveillance and communications equipment to perform the maritime patrol mission. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-42 turboprops, producing 850 horsepower apiece, the aircraft can cruise at over 480 kilometres per hour.

AFM Officers present for the roll out, and who have flown in the aircraft during the acceptance flight, have reported that the aircraft is a delight to fly and is a marvel of engineering and technology.

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