An Iraqi Air Force C-208 Combat Caravan, which have combat capability in addition to ISR capability. United States formally delivered ...
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| An Iraqi Air Force C-208 Combat Caravan, which have combat capability in addition to ISR capability. |
United States formally delivered two new Cessna 208B Grand Caravan intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft to the Philippine Air Force on Wednesday.
The delivery is part of a $33 million package through the U.S. National Defense Authorization Act Building Partnership Capacity Program to provide equipment and training to improve Philippine counter terrorism response capability.
Arrival of the C-208B ISR aircraft provides the Armed Forces of the Philippines with technologically advanced ISR capability in support of counter terrorism operations. The ISR capability includes line-of-sight live data and air-to-ground info streaming.
The C-208B aircraft flew to Edwin Andrews Air Base in Zamboanga, Philippines, after the ceremony and in-country flight training for the aircraft is slated to begin August 1.
The delivery comes amidst ongoing conflicts in Marawi between the AFP and local militant extremist groups.
The C-208B Caravan is a modified version of the civilian Cessna 208 Caravan passenger and utility aircraft, and features a more powerful PT6A-114A turboprop engine, and electro optical sensors for ISR and defensive countermeasures.
Over the past decade, the U.S. has provided more than $179 million in counter terrorism equipment and training, including small arms, ammunition, communication tools, and surveillance equipment.
The U.S. has also provided reconnaissance aircraft and pilot training, uniforms and body armor, combat rubber raiding crafts, night vision devices, rockets and unmanned aerial systems.
Since the beginning of the conflict in late May 2017, U.S. Special Operations Forces have been assisting the AFP with ongoing operations in Marawi mainly by providing information and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assistance to AFP commanders in their fight against Maute and Abu Sayyaf Group militants.
ISR version of C-208 is also operated by Afghan Air Force, while Iraqi Air Force version have an additional combat capability with its ability to be armed with two wing mounted Hellfire missiles.
