
One of the big surprises at the Dubai Airshow proved to be the public unveiling of the mock-up of the Calidus B-350, a large turboprop-powered attack aircraft. Equipped with 12 underwing hardpoints, the B-350 can carry a huge array of weaponry, ranging from precision-guided bombs to air-to-air missiles for self-defense.
The B-350 follows on from the Novaer-designed Calidus B-250, which appeared at Dubai in 2017 and is on show again this year. The much larger B-350 takes the turboprop trainer/attack/counter-insurgency aircraft to a whole new level. Power comes from a 2,600-shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127 turboprop and the wingspan extends more than 50 feet. Maximum takeoff weight is in the region of 9 tonnes. As well as the 12 hardpoints, the B-350 has under-fuselage carriage points for sensors, including a large multi-sensor targeting/surveillance turret, and radar/electronic warfare antennas.