Textron Aviation announced Tuesday
it was awarded a contract by ATI Engineering Services, LLC for
two multi-mission Cessna Grand Caravan EX aircraft for the
Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) in support of the African Partnership
Flight initiative. This will be the first fixed-wing aircraft to be
put in service by the RDF. The aircraft, which are anticipated to
enter service during the first half of 2021, will primarily be based
in Kigali, Rwanda.
The Cessna Grand Caravan EX is designed
and manufactured by Textron Aviation Inc.
This African Partnership Flight
initiative brings together a series of collaborative engagements
between African nations to strengthen U.S. strategic partnerships
with key countries in Africa, exchange ideas on aviation-related
topics, and enhance regional cooperation and interoperability.
“The Grand Caravan EX serves an
enduring mission by providing transport, reconnaissance, and medical
evacuation operations throughout Africa,” said Bob Gibbs, vice
president, Special Mission Sales for Textron Aviation. “The
aircraft is engineered for challenging missions, high payloads and
short, rough runways while delivering single-engine economy and
simplicity. It is a perfect match for this mission throughout the
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) area of responsibility.”
ATI Engineering Services will modify
and equip the RDF’s Grand Caravan EX aircraft with secure High
Frequency and Ultra High Frequency radio systems, Night Vision
Imaging System, a reconfigurable multi-mission interior featuring two
ambulatory medical stretcher kits, 11 passenger seats, eight
collapsible utility seats and a removable rollerball cargo floor.
The U.S. government has previously
provided grant aid funding for 14 Grand Caravan EX aircraft procured
through Foreign Military Sale cases throughout Africa, with Rwanda
being the latest recipient.
AFRICOM’s African partners who
already possess Grand Caravan EX aircraft include Cameroon, Chad,
Niger, Mali, Mauritania, Kenya and Uganda. These countries are
co-participants in United Nations peacekeeping operations,
particularly in missions in the Central African Republic and South
Sudan.
