Abu Dhabi-based Calidus unveiled heavy attack turboprop aircraft: B-350

According to multiple reports, including from FlightGlobal.com, AINOnline.com and Aviationweek.com, Calidus unveiled a model of B-350 at the Dubai Airshow.

The “large” turboprop seemed to be a heavier version of the Calidus B-250, with 12 underwing hardpoints that can carry an assortment of armament: from precision guided bombs, to rockets and even sidewinders (refer to photo above).

Not much is known about the aircraft at the current moment apart from some revelation from a Czech publication. It will allegedly have a maximum take off weight of 9 metric tons and would use a Pratt & Whitney Canada PW 127 turboprop engine driving a 6 bladed propeller.

Calidus currently has an order of 20-24 B-250 to the UAE military as their first customer.

Such an aircraft, which is displayed with UAE-developed guided bombs and rocket pods, in our opinion is likely to acquire the interests and attention of many countries that are currently fighting insurgencies.