The US Army has awarded Textron Aviation a contract to deliver two special missions Cessna Grand Caravan EX utility aircraft to the Djibouti Air Force.
Based on a business-class design, the aircraft is a high-wing turboprop system that can carry two pilots and up to 14 personnel, depending on a user’s capacity requirements.
The platform can be installed with a landing gear or ski according to mission configurations. Furthermore, the vehicle’s interior can be interchanged with passenger seats or a cargo compartment.
The Grand Caravan EX has a top speed of 304 to 343 kilometers (189 to 213 miles) per hour between its Amphibian and Pod variants.
The 12.7-meter (41-foot) system is powered by Pratt & Whitney’s PT6A-140 engine boasting 867 horsepower and a four-blade aluminum propeller developed by McCauley.
“The two special missions Cessna Grand Caravan EX aircraft will be Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance equipped to ensure the border sovereignty of the country of Djibouti,” Textron Aviation Special Mission Sales VP Bob Gibbs stated.
Multi-Year Initiative
Textron’s latest agreement is part of an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity framework signed in 2023 to supply aerial capabilities for the US Department of Defense’s allied partners over five years.
Alongside the Grand Caravan EX, selected planes include the Cessna SkyCourier, the Beechcraft King Air 260, and the Beechcraft King Air 360 planes.
The initial contract signed under the effort ordered three King Air 360 Extended Range aircraft, two of which were for the Peruvian Naval Aviation Force and the remaining for the Ecuadorian Naval Aviation.
“This multiyear contract allows the US Army Security Assistance Command to rapidly procure Commercial off the Shelf aircraft and modifications from Textron Aviation for our Foreign Military Sale allies and partner nations,” Gibbs said.
“We are honored to assist in advancing US national security and foreign policy interests by providing our solutions under the [indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity] and we look forward to further cooperation with the US Army.”
