The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is reviewing options for the procurement of one or more Beechcraft King Air 350 or 360 series aircraft. The purchase aims to bolster the agency's logistical capabilities for deploying personnel and equipment across domestic and international jurisdictions.
The Beechcraft King Air series has long been a staple in
government and special-mission aviation due to its reliability across a range of environmental conditions and its ability to operate from shorter runways.
The DEA is seeking a versatile twin-engine turboprop platform capable of sustained, long-endurance operations. According to the procurement specifications, the agency is open to both new and used aircraft, provided they meet rigorous operational criteria.
Requirements
For mission flexibility, the aircraft must accommodate at least two crew members and eight passengers. The interior requirements emphasize modularity; the passenger seats must be easily removable to facilitate rapid transitions between personnel transport and cargo operations. Furthermore, the aircraft is expected to feature a pressurized cabin with at least 350 cubic feet of space, alongside a dedicated internal baggage area capable of supporting at least 550 pounds of equipment. The DEA has expressed a preference for aircraft configured with a large cargo door, though standard door configurations will remain under consideration.
The purchase outlines strict standards for the fleet's condition. For new aircraft, the airframe and engines must have no more than 15
hours of total operational time at the point of delivery.
For used procurement, the DEA has set a high threshold for
maintenance and longevity: aircraft must have been manufactured in 2016 or
later, possess fewer than 5,000 hours of total airframe and engine time, and
have fewer than 4,000 total cycles. Additionally, potential sellers must verify
that at least 50% of the aircraft’s scheduled component overhaul or
life-limited parts replacement intervals remain.
Delivery
The delivery timeline is contingent upon the aircraft's status. Dealers providing new units are expected to complete delivery
within 12 months of the order, while those supplying used aircraft must fulfill
the contract within six months. The government intends to take possession of
the assets at the contractor’s facility or a mutually agreed-upon site.
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