2026-07-01

Cessna (Textron Aviation) 408 SkyCourier - The Devils are back!

It is not just on the football pitch, but also within our Air Force that this familiar name resonates once again. Yesterday, the iconic 23rd 'Devil' Squadron was officially reactivated after a 24-year absence. While honoring their rich heritage, the new Devils are taking flight with a completely renewed mission and cutting-edge equipment.
A new mission: Agility and firepower
The 23rd Squadron is heading toward the future with five Cessna 408 SkyCouriers. These aircraft are the ideal partners for our Special Operation Forces (SOF). Thanks to this 'Swiss Army knife,' our units can:
Operate quickly and discreetly: Deploy and resupply small teams anywhere in the world.
Save lives: Conduct medical evacuations in challenging conditions.
Provide air support: If necessary, the aircraft can be equipped with medical systems, guided missiles, and drones.
Strategic added value: From Central Africa to NATO missions
Our military possesses unique expertise in Central Africa, a vast and inhospitable region. The SkyCourier is the perfect aircraft for this terrain: it can operate from short, unpaved runways while covering very long distances. This allows our SOF to strike powerfully anywhere in the world. Whether it involves collective defense within NATO, crisis management, or supporting international partners, the 23rd is ready.
The emblem was also creatively updated: the two traditional bombs have been replaced by two daggers—a symbol that aligns seamlessly with the new mission of the SOF.

Specifications:

During the Belgian Air Force Days at Florennes on 27 and 28 June, the general public had the opportunity to discover the demonstration model of the Cessna (Textron Aviation) 408 SkyCourier Special Missions.
The aircraft on display, registered N408SM—an obvious reference to the **Cessna 408 Special Missions—provided an excellent overview of the platform's capabilities.
The SkyCourier can reach a top speed of 389 km/h (242 mph) and has a maximum range of 1,704 km (1,059 miles). It requires no more than 774 meters (2,540 feet) to land and has a maximum operating altitude of 7,620 meters (25,000 feet).
The five aircraft on order will be delivered by Cessna to Sabena Engineering in 2027. Sabena Engineering will then equip them with all mission-specific systems, including sensors, communications equipment, and other specialized mission equipment.
The fleet is expected to achieve its Initial Operational Capability (IOC) between 2028 and 2029.

Info: Theo Francken
Pictures: Aviation Day Collection, Cessna-Textron Aviation
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#23sqn#Devils#SpecialOperations #skycourier #diabolicofurore

Source: Aviation Day