First King Air 350ER Delivered to USAF

The USAF took delivery of the first of its 23 Beechcraft King Air 350ER's last Friday. Dubbed the MC-12W by the Air Force, this delivery took place less than 5 months after the project was announced. If that wasn't quick enough for you, it's also worth noting that all 23 aircraft are expected to be delivered within 3 months and the total price tag will only be $171 Million.

Strangely enough, the entire cost for these 23 aircraft is roughly the same as the current cost for a single F-22. These MC-12 aircraft will fill a critical role and are expected to deploy as soon as their crews can get trained. That's a pretty amazing feat for the USAF, especially in light of the recent controversies involving the F-22 program. Even after decades of development, the F-22 still doesn't play much of an active role in the USAF operations. It has never flown in combat and likely won't in the foreseeable future. When Secretary Gates proposed sharply curtailing the program, it must have been in part from looking at the usefulness and economy of programs like the MC-12. We may be seeing a significant shift in military policy here. Modifying capable, off-the-shelf aircraft appears to be quick, economical and effective. Perhaps we'll be seeing a lot more of this in future military procurements.