U.S. Forest Service adds Beechcraft King Air 260 aircraft

Textron Aviation has delivered two Beechcraft King Air 260 aircraft to the U.S. Forest Service, with the aircraft manufacturing noting the aircraft would perform wildfire mapping missions.

“We are honored the U.S. Forest Service has added the King Air 260 to its fleet,” Textron Aviation Special Mission Sales Vice President Bob Gibbs said. “Whether for the wildfire detection and mapping, resource management, aerial supervision module / lead plane or air attack, the King Air continues to demonstrate its leadership in this mission. Customer faith in our legendary products and trust in our company and our team are at the core of our enduring relationship with U.S Forest Service.”

The Beechcraft King Air 260 aircraft was modified for the installation of the Overwatch Imaging TK-9 Earthwatch Airborne Sensor, the latest infrared (IR) sensing technology, in addition to legacy U.S. Forest Service sensors capable of accurately mapping wildfires at night and through smoke.

The Beechcraft King Air 260 delivers state-of-the-art technology to the cockpit while offering greater ease of flight, featuring the Innovative Solutions & Support (IS&S) ThrustSense Autothrottle system, supporting pilots amid executing missions of delivering people or cargo by automatically managing engine power from the takeoff roll through the climb, cruise, descent, landing and go-around phases of flight.