Philippine Air Force to Induct Cessna C-208B Surveillance Aircraft Gifted by the U.S.

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) would induct a new Cessna C-20B "Grand Caravan" surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft received as gift from the United States at the Clark Air Base in Mabalacat City, Pampanga on Tuesday.

The PAF said in a statement that the Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. will be the guest of honor in the acceptance, turnover and blessing ceremonies of the C-208B.

It will be the third C-208B in PAF service once accepted as two units were formally turned over by the US on July 27, 2017, according to the Philippines News Agency.

The first two C-208B planes are part of a USD33-million package through the US National Defense Authorization Act Building Partnership Capacity Program which aims, at the time, to provide equipment and training to boost Philippine anti-terrorism capabilities.

The three aircraft are fitted with the L3 WESCAM MX-15 high-definition imagining and electro-optical/infrared sensor for airborne full-motion video surveillance. The sensor is integrated with an on-board airborne operator sensor console and will also have Harris ultrahigh/very-high frequency and high frequency radios for air-to ground and air-to air communications.

The C-208B aircraft has a cruising speed of around 170 knots and has a range of over 1,000 nautical miles and is capable of transporting eight to nine persons, including the pilot.