Phl Air Force set to receive C-208B reconnaissance plane

A brand-new Cessna C-20B "Grand Caravan" surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft, a grant from the United States, is set to arrive on Tuesday for the use of the Philippine Air Force.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. will grace the ceremonial acceptance, turnover, and blessing of the aircraft at the Clark Air Base in Mabalacat City, Pampanga.

It will serve as the third C-208B in PAF service once accepted.

The C-208B aircraft has a cruising speed of around 170 knots.

It has a range of over 1,000 nautical miles and is capable of transporting eight to nine persons, including the pilot.

The country received the first two units of C-208B planes on 27 July 2017, which was part of a USD33-million package through the US National Defense Authorization Act Building Partnership Capacity Program.