Two Boeing Enhanced Medium Altitude Reconnaissance and Surveillance System (EMARSS) aircraft have arrived at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland for airborne tests of the target-tracking capabilities they will provide to the U.S. Army.

The extensively modified Beechcraft King Air 350 ER aircraft will undergo mission systems calibration and testing to certify them prior to delivery.

"It's gratifying to see this innovative program reach the next stage of development, one step closer to delivering to our customer," said Mark Stephenson, EMARSS program manager for Boeing.

"The flights to Aberdeen from Kansas were an achievement themselves, and they paved the way for airborne evaluation and testing against a range of targets."

EMARSS aircraft are designed to detect, locate, identify and track surface targets, day or night, in almost any weather conditions. They will provide soldiers with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities as well as communications and targeting.

Boeing's Engineering, Manufacturing and Development contract with the Army calls for four development aircraft as well as logistics services.