Beechcraft Corporation, a subsidiary of Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. company, announced on July 15 at the Farnborough International Airshow that it has delivered the first of four Beechcraft King Air 350ER aircraft ordered by the Mexican Navy Secretaría de Marina (SEMAR). In addition to the aircraft, Beechcraft will support SEMAR with on-the-ground service, support and training through its Global Mission Support organisation.

Rear Admiral Jose Marie Macedo, Director General of Naval Aviation Operations, visited company headquarters in Wichita, Kansas, to accept delivery of the aircraft, which will be stationed at the naval base in Veracruz. The remaining three aircraft will be delivered by the second quarter of 2015.

“SEMAR recognises the Beechcraft King Air as a cost-effective and reliable partner for special missions work within the country,” said Dan Keady, Vice President, Special Missions. “The Mexican Navy operated a King Air C90 in the past and it’s great to see the King Air family return to its fleet. The delivery of the King Air 350ER further expands the Beechcraft relationship with SEMAR, which earlier this year placed an initial order for two T-6C+ military trainers.”

The Textron Aviation display at Farnborough included a specially modified Beechcraft King Air 350ER, which is operated out of northern Europe and fitted with a unique and flexible mission package that supports search and rescue, fishery inspection, pollution monitoring and seaway/shipping lane surveillance missions. The King Air 350ER was selected for these missions due to its high dash speeds, long endurance, high reliability and low operating cost.