Raytheon UK has been awarded a £250 million ($315 million) contract to support operations with the Royal Air Force`s Beechcraft King Air 350CER-derived Shadow R1 surveillance fleet until 2030. To come into effect in April 2019, the arrangement has an 11-year term, covering the period until the RAF`s expected out-of-service date for the Shadow fleet. Flight Fleets Analyzer shows it has six of the twin-turboprops in current use, with another two to be added to its inventory.

Raytheon UK says its new long-term deal covers "aircraft maintenance, airworthiness management, design organisation and supply chain support". Availability-based services will be provided at RAF Waddington, with other support work and upgrades to be performed at its Broughton site in North Wales.

The new agreement also serves as an enabling agreement to upgrade the aircraft to the Mk2 version, and the company will be responsible for the design and integration of required modifications. This major capability update will include the use of new sensors and communications equipment, along with increased levels of software automation, the MoD indicated last year. A preceding upgrade activity is already under way, with initial operational capability due to be declared before the end of 2019.