Beechcraft King Air 350 'Swift Eye'

The Super King Air 200 first flew in October 1972 and differed from the original King Air with a larger fuselage and a high “T” tail. The first deliveries of the Super King Air 200 occurred in 1972 as the RU-21J for the US Army. In all, over 400 Super King Airs in various versions would be ordered for the US military under the common designation of C-12 Huron. The Model 200 was further developed during the mid-1980s into the Super King Air 300 series which featured better aerodynamics and more powerful engines. Until recently, The Super King Air 200 was used by the RAF as its multi-engine trainer and has now been replaced by the Embraer Phenom.

A highly modified version of the King Air 350 similar to the RAF’s Shadow or the MC-12 Liberty of the US Army is operated by the Special Aerospace division of the US defence firm, Metrea. The Special Aerospace division uses the King Air – which they call the Swift Eye - for contracted airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions where the type can stay in the air for 10 hours at a time.

After appearing in the static display for the first time last year, Metrea will be once again providing a Swift Eye for static at RIAT25 in support of our ‘Eyes in the Skies’ theme.

Photo Credit: Peter March