Belize Takes Delivery of Cessna Grand Caravan EX

Multi-mission Cessna Grand Caravan EX aircraft for Belize maritime patrol and search and rescue missions. [Courtesy: Textron Aviation]

The Ministry of National Defense and Border Security in Belize has taken delivery of a multi-mission Cessna Grand Caravan EX single-engine turboprop for missions that include surveillance, casualty evacuations, and search-and-rescue operations, according to the manufacturer. The Cessna Grand Caravan EX aircraft is designed and manufactured by Textron Aviation, a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company.

The Grand Caravan, the fourth in Cessna's Caravan series, entered the market in 1990. Known in the aviation world as "the flying Swiss army knife" because of its versatility, the Grand Caravan can be outfitted for varying missions, including surveillance, cargo hauling, and passenger transport. The EX model has a larger cabin, seating up to 14 people, including the pilot.

“The Grand Caravan EX delivered to the Belize Ministry of National Defense and Border Security will be used as a multi-mission platform for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), casualty evacuation (CASEVAC), search and rescue (SAR), air mobility, light air drop, and other operations as necessary,” said Bob Gibbs, vice president, Special Mission Sales. “This is the first Caravan EX in the service of the Belize Ministry of National Defense and Border Security.”

According to Textron, this particular Grand Caravan EX is fitted with an electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor, operator mission console, tactical radios, and data link. Textron Aviation will provide pilot, mission operator, and maintenance training, as well as an in-country field service representative.

The Foreign Military Sale (FMS) contract was executed by the U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Alabama.

208B Belize border security Caravan Cessna Grand Caravan EX search and rescue special missions Textron Aviation turboprop

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Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.