The MC-12W is a manned, medium/low-altitude tactical ISR, SIGINT, and targeting platform based on the Beechcraft King Air 350ER (Extended Range).
It was hastily developed under Project Liberty to meet an urgent operational need for manned battlefield ISR and deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in less than a year in 2009.
MC-12W is capable of complete ISR collection, processing, analysis, and dissemination. The aircraft provides targeting data and tactical ISR direct to special operations ground forces. Specialized equipment includes FMV, laser designation, SIGINT, advanced BLOS connectivity, and advanced SATCOM.
ACC passed 20 airframes to USSCOM in 2015, and the Oklahoma ANG formed a dedicated SOF support mission with the remaining aircraft, deploying for the first time to Afghanistan in 2015.
The ANG is seeking mission critical capability improvements including Link 16, adding a SAR sensor for ground moving target tracking in poor visibility, operator display upgrades, a second FMV sensor, and a high-fidelity roll-on/roll-off EO/IR sensor to meet COCOM requirements.
Contractors: Beechcraft; L3Harris (EO/IR sensors).
First Flight: April 28, 2009
Delivered: April 2009-2012
IOC: June 2009.
Production: 42.
Inventory: 13.
Operator: ANG.
Aircraft Location: Will Rogers ANGB, Okla.
Active Variant: •MC-12W. Modified Beechcraft King Air 350ER equipped for battlefield ISR and targeting.
Dimensions: Span 57.9 ft, length 46.7 ft, height 14.3 ft.
Weight: Max T-O 16,500 lb.
Power Plant: Two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60A turboprops, each 1,050 shp.
Performance: Speed 359 mph, range 2,760 miles.
Ceiling: 35,000 ft.
Accommodation: Two pilots, two sensor operators.