The UC-12W+ is a specialized military variant of the
Beechcraft King Air 350, a twin-turboprop aircraft widely recognized in both
civil and government aviation. The procurement is being managed by
the Navy’s Tactical Airlift Program Office (PMA-207).
In a brief Combined Synopsis/Solicitation document released
this week, the Navy confirmed that the contract will be awarded on a "sole
source" basis to Textron Aviation, headquartered in Wichita, Kan.
The military justification for the sole-source
designation centers on technical exclusivity. According to the announcement,
the Navy determined that no other provider could meet the specific requirements.
The service stated that Textron is the "sole designer, developer, and
manufacturer" of the UC-12W+ platform and possesses the proprietary
technical data, knowledge, and manufacturing experience necessary to deliver
the aircraft to the Navy's specifications.
The Navy did not provide further details on the contract's financial value or the specific timeline for the aircraft's
delivery.
The UC-12 series has long been a staple of U.S. military
logistics, frequently utilized for the rapid transport of personnel and
high-priority cargo.
Multi-Year Agreement
In September, NAVAIR announced its intention to negotiate
and award a sole-source contract to Textron Aviation to produce up to 17 UC-12W
aircraft.
The multi-year agreement, with an anticipated start date in the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2027, will have a five-year ordering period and will primarily be performed at Textron's Wichita facilities.
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