PH receives 3rd patrol aircraft from US
The Cessna-208B Caravan intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft was displayed during the turnover ceremony at Clark Air Base in Pampanga on September 19, 2023. (Photo by John Eric Mendoza)
PAMPANGA, Philippines — The Philippines on Tuesday received the third brand new Cessna-208B Caravan intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft from the United States.
“This brand new aircraft is very welcome addition to our intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance capability,” Lieutenant General Stephen Parreño, Philippine Air Force (PAF) commanding general, said in an interview here in Clark Airbase in Mabalacat town after the turnover ceremony of the aircraft.
“It will also boost our capability in missions of law enforcement, terrorism and maritime domain awareness,” he added.
The first two units of the single-engine turboprop ISR-modified aircraft were delivered in July 2017.
READ: US donates 2 patrol planes to PH
The aircraft has an upgraded integrated flight deck, audio panel, center console, audio control panels, cockpit displays, airborne sensor operators console, inertial navigation system, video encoder, sensor camera, and datalink, according to the PAF.
PAF also said the aircraft, acquired through the United States grant awarded to the Philippines, could endure five and a half hours of flight with a maximum operating altitude of 10,000 feet.
