Baron Could Provide ‘Light ISR’ Option, Says Hawker Beechcraft
The Baron piston twin is a candidate for ISR missions, according to Hawker Beechcraft. (Photo: Hawker Beechcraft)
The Baron piston twin is a candidate for ISR missions, according to Hawker Beechcraft. (Photo: Hawker Beechcraft)

Hawker Beechcraft is evaluating whether the long-serving but still popular Baron 58 piston twin could be adapted for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. Jay Gibson, vice president of special mission aircraft, told the Airborne ISR conference organized by Defence IQ in London last week that “we may develop and demonstrate a ‘light ISR’ configuration that could be an attractive platform to new customers.” The Baron would complement the company’s larger King Air twin turboprop, which is widely employed as an ISR platform. The recip would offer up to seven hours’ endurance, compared with up to 12 hours for the King Air 350ER.