Spy plane to air ambulance: Beechcraft King Air demo makes Paris debut

Textron Aviation likes to emphasise the medevac* role of its multi-mission Beechcraft King Air twin engine turboprop but why is an air ambulance sporting factory installed hard points on the wings?

Yes, there’s a darker side to flying a King Air loosely known as ‘special missions’ or even ‘black ops’.

The latest multi-mission King Air demonstrator has arrived at the Paris Air Show, which was held at Le Bourget Airport just north of Paris recently, and presumably slipping out in the middle of the night to show off some of its covert skills.

The Beechcraft King Air 360ER on display is fitted with:

• Extended range (ER) fuel tanks
• A factory-installed extended utility nose capable of housing a variety of sensors up to a 20-inch EO/IR sensor and a lift kit to retract
• Factory-installed wing hardpoint provisions
• A cargo door that supports air ambulance and freight operations to enhance mission flexibility.

The @Beechcraft King Air 360CER delivers stealth, endurance and cutting-edge technology to dominate the skies. Built for the toughest ISR and surveillance operations, it’s the aircraft you want on your side.

See it in-person at the #ParisAirShow.#parisairshow #pas25 pic.twitter.com/QjS5yjey5u

— Textron Aviation (@TextronAviation) June 17, 2025

The King Air 360ER is powered by PT6A-67A engines with dual oil coolers to cope with hot/high airfield performance as well as full power climb outs and high cruising speeds.

Interior features include a mission rack with displays and a mission computer, VIP seating, AvFab and LifePort mission seats and a LifePort medevac stretcher. The cockpit is compatible with Night Vision Imaging Systems (NVIS).

Bob Gibbs, vice president at Textron Aviation for Special Missions Sales,  said,  “The King Air’s acquisition and operation cost, combined with excellent speed, range and payload capacity make it an excellent value for a wide range of special missions.

“The best-selling turboprop serves as an ideal platform for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, utility transport, training and more. Over the last few years, we have seen solid European demand of our Cargo Door King Air 360C for essential air ambulance services.”

Textron Special Missions

*Medevac: Medical Evacuation (also covers kidnapping South American drug lords)

Special nose is filled with all sorts of surveillance gear…

…which can be monitored and directed by the onboard operator

King Air also performs air ambulance missions

Beechcraft King Air special mission: there’s more than meets the eye