Super King Air 200 The Model 200 was originally conceived as the Model 101 in 1969, and was a development of the Model 100 King Air. Overall, the 200 was 3 ft 10 in (1.17 m) longer than the A100, with wingspan 4 ft 3 in (1.29 m) greater, containing more fuel. Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) was increased by 1,000 lb (450 kg). a second prototype took to the air on December 15 the same year. the first of some 400 T-tail King Airs to be ordered by the U.S. armed forces. The 200 received civil certification in December 1973 and the first civil delivery took place in February 1974. In 1976, Beechcraft developed the Model 200T, a version configured for
aerial surveying or
reconnaissance. The door opening was 4 ft 4 in (1.33 m) high and 4 ft 4 in (1.33 m) wide, From October 1995 Beechcraft offered an updated B200 with
Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS)
avionics, this was marketed as the "B200SE Super King Air" (for Special Edition). The following year the "Super" name was dropped from all marketing and advertising. the
Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 suite. The B200 remains in production, with a total of 13 built in 2009. On May 21, 2007, during the 7th Annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition in
Geneva, Hawker Beechcraft (as the company was now known) introduced the Model B200GT updated version of the B200. The B200GT is fitted with a new model of PT6 engine developed specifically for it by
Pratt & Whitney Canada; while still rated at the new PT6A-52 develops maximum power to an even higher altitude than the −42 it replaces, thus further improving aircraft performance. The B200GT and B200CGT with large cargo door were certified by the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on November 16, 2007 In 2019, the 250 unit cost was US$6.61M (~$ in ).
King Air 260 On December 2, 2020, Textron updated the King Air 200 series with the 260, with deliveries expected in early 2021. The model has an improved
autothrottle, a Multi-Scan
weather radar, a range of and a top cruise speed of with up to nine passengers. The type was FAA
certified in March 2021, and
European Aviation Safety Agency type certified in September 2021. In 2023, its equipped price was $7.78M.
Model 200 military variants as a
maritime patrol aircraft The United States Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps have all flown versions of the Super King Air 200. As noted above some have been "off-the-shelf" civil versions, but the majority have been purpose-built for the military and were treated by Beechcraft and the FAA as a separate series, the A200 series. A significant minority of military versions are known purely by their military designations, with no FAA model designations being assigned to them, although they do have basically equivalent civilian model counterparts. The military designation varies from service to service, but most are called
C-12 Huron or UC-12. These are used for personnel transport. The Army also operates the RC-12 Guardrail series of aircraft for military intelligence missions. The
Canadian Forces Air Command took delivery of two second-hand early-production Model 200 Super King Airs leased from Awood Air in 1990. These were given the designation CT-145 under the CF's identification system and were used as multi-engine trainers, replacing
Douglas C-47s. One was subsequently returned to the lessor and a third Model 200 placed into service in order that the two aircraft used would have the same cockpit layout. The two aircraft were replaced by eight civilian-operated 90 Model King Airs in 1995. In 2025 the
Royal Canadian Air Force announced the acquisition of 7 King Air 260 aircraft. Designated the CT-145E Expeditor II, the aircraft will be used as multi-engine trainers based at
3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School in
Southport, Manitoba. The King Air B200 entered service with the
Royal Air Force (RAF) in 2004 as a multi-engine trainer, replacing the
Jetstream T1. The
Royal Malaysian Air Force operates four B200T variants equipped with tactical command system, master search radar and
forward looking infrared system. The
United States Navy awarded a contract to Beechcraft for 10 modified King Air 260 aircraft to replace the King Air H90-based
T-44 Pegasus as its primary multi-engine trainer, with options to purchase up to 64 airframes. Designated as the T-54A Marlin II, the first examples were delivered on April 22, 2024, with deliveries expected to take place until 2026.
PD 290 Beechcraft considered a jet-powered version in the mid-1970s. The first prototype King Air 200 was re-engined with
Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D turbofans in overwing nacelles. Given the designation PD (Preliminary Design) 290, the aircraft was flown in this configuration for the first time on March 12, 1975. made by Elliott Aviation, was added as standard equipment on all B300s. In October 2003, Beechcraft announced that it would deliver future B300 and B300C King Airs with the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite. and Hawker Beechcraft announced on November 11, 2007, that it would deliver five to Saudi Arabia in 2008 for use as air ambulances. On June 13, 2005, Beechcraft announced at the
Paris Air Show that it was developing the King Air 350ER version of the B300, (because of the B300s winglets, it was unfeasible to fit wingtip fuel tanks as found on the 200T and B200T). On November 11, 2007, Hawker Beechcraft announced that the 350ER had been certified by the FAA.
King Air 350i In October 2008, Beechcraft announced updated versions of the B300 series, the King Air 350i, with improvements to the passenger cabin. The manufacturer claims that the noise level and overall comfort of the King Air 350i, 350iER, 350iC and 350iCER are now competitive with those of light jets. The cabin of the B300 series has been updated with controllers in the passenger seat armrests that dim the LED lights, darken the windows and control an
iPod dock and a high-definition video monitor. The cabin also includes
Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports, AC electrical receptacles and fold-out tables for each passenger in the eight seats fitted. Deliveries commenced in December 2009. The cabin sound level is reduced by 4 dB to 78-dB due to better insulation. More than 440 350i have been delivered in less than ten years. On a one hour trip, it is 10-15 min slower than a jet while burning less fuel. It cruises at TAS at FL350 while burning per h, and can reach TAS at FL240. The $1.8 million Blackhawk PT6A-67A upgrade offers a TAS faster cruise and up to 60% shorter time to climb. In 2019, the King Air 350i price was US$7.755M, and US$8.8M for the King Air 350iER. and given a c/no. with a different prefix to other B300Cs. The Hawker Pacific aviation company of Australia purchased eight B300s between 2003 and 2005 for lease to the
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), which were subsequently modified as
navigator trainers. Hawker Pacific later leased another three B300s to the
Australian Army, replacing B200 and B200C Model King Airs. The RAAF has also utilized King Air 350 Special Mission as an interim replacement for the
DHC-4 Caribou transports of
No. 38 Squadron. The RAAF now operates 16 aircraft from both
No. 32 Squadron and No. 38 Squadron. The
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force operates nine B300s, designated LR-2, in the
reconnaissance and communications roles. The aircraft were delivered between 1998 and 2004 and include the last B300 built without the Pro Line 21 avionics package (c/no. FL-382). The
Royal Bahamas Defence Force operated (retired as of 2026) a single B300 on maritime patrol and reconnaissance duties. Beechcraft announced on March 6, 2007, that the
Iraqi Air Force had ordered five King Air 350ERs for delivery commencing late in 2007. Hawker Beechcraft exhibited a King Air 350ER at the 2007 Paris Air Show; and at the
Royal International Air Tattoo the following month. Photos of the aircraft, which were modified 2005-built B300, showed visual features of the King Air 350ER including a belly pod, and enlarged engine nacelles compared to the nacelles of standard B300 King Airs. The
United States Army has contracted for a number of King Air 300s to be acquired on the second-hand market and modified as
ISTAR aircraft for use by
Task Force ODIN in operational theaters. As of late 2010, 11 such aircraft are registered to the U.S. Army. Two Canadian-registered and owned King Air 300s, configured in the same manner have also been contracted for.
Model 350ER (Extended Range) The Model 350 ER is an extended-range, special-mission version for surveillance and reconnaissance operations; it was introduced at the Paris Air Show in June 2005. Features of this model include engine nacelle fuel tanks, heavy duty landing gear, and an increased maximum take-off weight of 7,484 kg (16,500 lb). The typical mission profile involves a 100 nautical mile (185 km; 115 mile) flight to on-station; a low-altitude surveillance sortie for 7 hours 20 minutes; and return to base with 45 minutes' fuel reserve. By early 2010, Hawker Beechcraft was offering a structured program of upgrades for the King Air 350ERISR. Accommodations include two pilots above an armored floor; a sensor operator console (port, forward facing) providing on-board analysis; club-four seating in the center section with a port side table; satellite telephone; refreshment center; and a lavatory at the rear. equipped for
intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions over Afghanistan, were originally ordered for the RAF. This was later increased to six aircraft in July 2013. Four more King Air 350s replaced the
Royal Navy's
Jetstream T2 observer trainers in 2011 and were designated Avenger T1. On October 3, 2018, the US State Department approved the possible foreign military sale of three King Air 350ERs to the government of Canada for an estimated cost of US$300 million (~$ in ). The Canadian 350ERs are expected to come with customer-unique modifications for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations. Canada intends to use the aircraft to improve the ability of its
Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM) to meet current and future threats, strengthen its homeland defense and the combined defense of North America, and support coalition partners overseas.
King Air 360 and 360ER The King Air 360 and 360ER have a cockpit including an
avionics upgrade, digital
pressurisation control,
autothrottle, and a modernized cabin featuring a 10% lower altitude pressure. The 360 has a maximum range of 1,806 nmi (3,345 km,) while the 360ER has a maximum range of 2,539 nmi (4,702 km). Both models were FAA
type certified in October 2020 and European Aviation Safety Agency certified in September 2021. This includes wing spar reinforcement, electrohydraulic landing gear retraction, and modifications to improve wing performance, reduce propeller noise, increase storage, and improve flotation. A modification to install a
forward looking infrared camera in an extended nose in B200 King Airs is available. Other modifications available are to convert standard 200 Series King Airs to configurations equivalent to the Model 1300 or Model 200C and B200C King Airs; and to modify B300s (typically delivered with an eight-seat corporate interior) to allow more passengers and baggage to be carried. ==Operational history==