The Beech Model 100 King Air was
added to the range of Beech corporate transports when initial deliveries were made in August 1969. It differed from the earlier King Airs in several respects: reduced wing span, a lengthened fuselage to provide accommodation for a maximum of 15 persons, increased elevator and rudder areas, twin-wheel main landing gear, and more powerful engines. The new wing was generally similar to that developed for the Model 99 Airliner.
In October 1971 Beech began deliveries of the improved King Air A100, this variant incorporating detail improvements, and the first five were supplied to the US Army under the designation U-21F. Examples have been procured by the Spanish air force, and a Universal Aircraft Com/Nav Evaluation (UNACE) configured version, for the rapid inspection and calibration of air navigation systems, has been supplied to countries that include Algeria, Belgium, Canada, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, and the USA. Beech also produces specially modified camera-equipped versions of the King Air for aerial survey, and examples are in service in this role in Canada, Chile, France, Jamaica, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and the USA.
In parallel with A100 production since late 1975, Beech has produced a complementary King Air B100 offering higher performance. It differs by the installation of 533kW Garrett TPE331-6-252B turboprop engines, and of equipment directly associated with the engine installation. Production of the King Air 100 ended in 1983.
