Two King Air 350ERs enter service with Leonardo’s ATOS system
The ATOS mission system from Leonardo is installed on two Textron-built King Air 350ER maritime patrol aircraft that have entered into service with an undisclosed African navy.
The Italian company acted as the prime contractor for the customer’s surveillance capability, and it also supplied Seaspray E-scan surveillance radars for the aircraft.
The King Air 350ERs will be used for SAR, littoral security and maritime border patrols.
The aircraft were procured and integrated by Leonardo in accordance with European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certifications. Leonardo is also offering its integration services to mid-life upgrades on existing aircraft, all of which will use its ATOS mission system.
ATOS is in use on more than 10 aircraft types, including the ATR 42(72) MP, DA-62 MSA, Dash-8, Beechcraft KA350, Casa CN-235 and the Bell 421 helicopter.
Customers from the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East have expressed their interest in the system, according to Leonardo’s 17 February statement.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Portugal signals interest in establishing A-29N final assembly line]()
Portugal signals interest in establishing A-29N final assembly line
As the launch customer for the NATO-configured variant, Portugal also took delivery of the first five A-29N aircraft from its order for 12, placed in 2024.
-
![Leonardo signs contract on Austria’s M-346 aircraft order]()
Leonardo signs contract on Austria’s M-346 aircraft order
The first of the 12 M-346 aircraft are expected to be delivered to the Austrian Air Force by 2028, according to the company.
-
![2025 UAV market review: $7.8 billion in new contracts signed as US leads spending]()
2025 UAV market review: $7.8 billion in new contracts signed as US leads spending
Qatar and Indonesia followed the US’s high spending on new uncrewed aerial vehicle contracts across 2025, while MALE and micro drones and loitering munitions were particularly popular subcategories this year.
-
![German Navy in “ramp-up” phase as it welcomes first NH90 Sea Tiger delivery]()
German Navy in “ramp-up” phase as it welcomes first NH90 Sea Tiger delivery
With all 31 aircraft set to be delivered by 2030, the helicopters will gradually replace the ageing Sea Lynx fleet which are due to be retired in 2026.
