regularly spotted operating in daylight at
Santa Lucía, and one was shown at last
year’s FAMEX aerospace tradeshow.
The ASIO is a scalable, open-architecture
system. It provides the FAM with a complete
electro-optical and infrared observation
capability, together with a Multi Sensor
Integration System (MSIS) for on-board
mission management. It also includes
a data link, SATCOM, ELINT package
for geolocation of signals, COMINT
equipment and a multi-mode radar.Spy rotors
Certain FAM helicopters also have ISR
capabilities, including the new UH-60M Black
Hawks and the Bell 412. Both types have been
observed with removable FLIR turrets, as have
some Mexican Navy Panther helicopters. While
these are not dedicated ISR platforms, it is likely
they can add a significant degree of tactical
coverage for high-value targets if necessary.
The FAM introduced 15 Bell 407GX helicopters
in 2015-16 for crop-dusting missions, but
under a separate deal it also purchased
at least three Bell 407 ASIOs, versions of
the 407GX modified in partnership with
Bell Textron. The heli-borne system is an
adaptation of that used in the Citation Eagle
II, with a FLIR turret on the helicopter’s nose,
additional antennas above and below the
helicopter and an MSIS station in the cabin.Naval intel-gatherers
In 2004 the Armada de México introduced three
E-2C Hawkeyes acquired from Israel. While
these offered a high level of AEW&C capability,
the airframes were already worn out and they
were soon stored, with plans to reactivate them
if needed. By 2008 the aircraft had been written
off at Base Aeronaval de Veracruz (BASANVER)
at Las Bajadas, and were later scrapped.
The Hawkeye was not the navy’s only ISR
platform and the Aviación de la Armada
de Mexico (AARM, Mexican Naval Air Arm)
also converted eight C212 transports for
surveillance roles. The modification added
the EADS CASA Fully Integrated Tactical
System (FITS) that includes a maritime
surveillance radar, FLIR, data link and a C2
station. The last ISR-configured C212s were
withdrawn following introduction of the King
Air 350 and the CN235-300MPA Persuader.
Since Mexico doesn’t face a symmetrical
threat it seems the AARM decided that maritime
surveillance was more useful than retaining an
AEW&C capability. The navy has introduced
six Persuaders, placing an initial order for four
aircraft in 2008 – the first two being delivered
in June 2010. Under the Merida Initiative, a
financial aid scheme for counter-narcotics
projects, the United States offered to pay half
the cost of the Persuader fleet, worth $210m,
during fiscal years 2008 and 2009. The final
aircraft were delivered in 2011 and 2012.
The Persuaders were completed to the same
standard as the US Coast Guard’s HC-144A
Ocean Sentry, equipped with FITS, which
combines FLIR sensors and a Telephonics
APS-143C(V)3 OceanEye surveillance radar.
The Persuaders are assigned to the Primer
Escuadrón Aeronaval de Patrulla Marítima
(PRIESCPATMAR, First Maritime PatrolAbove: This Bell 407 ASIO was joined in February last year by a Bell 206 of Escuadrón Aéreo 111 with
an electro-optical assembly installed in the nose that feeds a small screen in the cockpit. This is a local
development by the FAM to provide pre-dusting surveillance and protection to its counter-narcotics crop-
dusting helicopters. These frequently come under gunfire and encounter man-made obstacles including
metal wires strung over illegal plantations. José Quevedo Below: Used exclusively for maritime work, the
CN235-300MPA Persuaders fly long-range patrol missions, interdicting trafficking routes, observing and
gathering intelligence and in some cases undertaking search and rescue (SAR). Mariano García58 // APRIL 2018 #361 http://www.airforcesmonthly.comISR force in detail