The HCSAF have ordered 300 C-426 light transports to fill a gap in the HCSAF transport arm for light transport/liaison/communications aircraft. The C-426 is an 8 seat twin-engined transport and will supplement the mixture of old types currently used for this role (and help replace a lot of them too). The first aircraft will be delivered from early year. The number of conversions from withdrawn A-85s to the unarmed O-47 communications plane will be greatly reduced.
A tanker version, the KC-426, will also be produced. This will support a longer range version of the A-85 COIN aircraft due to enter production next year. The A-85NTLR will have provision for inflight refuelling, a smoother engine and improved flight controls to reduce crew fatigue. This will allow the aircraft to loiter for up to 12 hours (current A-85NT missions can last up to 4).
