Immigration & Customs is Launch Customer for PC-12 Spectre
The U.S. Bureau of Immigration & Customs Enforcement is
the launch customer for the Pilatus Spectre special mission aircraft.
Based on the PC-12 single-engine turboprop, the Spectre is designed
for the special mission requirements of local, state and federal
agencies requiring a covert multimission surveillance aircraft.
The PC-12 Spectre offers 270-kt quick-dash capability, and
the ability to loiter on-station for up to eight hours. In addition
to its retractable sensor platform, it incorporates an operator
station in the pressurized cabin designed to meet FAR 23 crashworthiness
requirements, including HIC (Head Impact Criteria). Multiple expansion
slots provide the space to incorporate an array of additional
radios, recorders and displays to suit individual requirements.
The Spectre costs $650,000 on top of the basic PC-12 price tag,
Pilatus vp marketing Tom Aniello told Show News. That doesn't
include items such as infrared sensors and radio installation,
which Aniello says the U.S. Bureau of Immigration & Customs
Enforcement plans to install in its airplane.
The bureau has purchased one Spectre, and Aniello hopes it'll
buy a second, mentioning the fact that governments typically want
to operate at least two of a type in order to improve cost efficiencies.
"With the Spectre, we're offering a fully certified, off-the-shelf,
special missions version of the PC-12," he said. "We
anticipate it will become a real workhorse in local, state, and
federal government service for many years to come."
Following first flight of the Spectre in early July, the airplane
is currently undergoing FAA certification testing. The first STC
will be obtained for the FLIR Star Safire II EO/IR sensor, with
additional STCs planned for the Safire III and Wescam MX-15 systems.
Delivery to the government agency is planned by the end of the
year.
