The MC-12W is a crewed, 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 crewed 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 USSOCOM 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 137th SOW achieved IOC with the MC-12 in 2022 and logged 50,725 flying hours, 2,501 operational sorties and deployed to six operating locations outside the U.S. before retiring the fleet on Aug. 2, 2025. The unit will gradually transition to the OA-1K Skyraider II through 2027.
MC-12W Liberty Technical Data
Contractors: Beechcraft; L3Harris (EO/IR sensors).
First Flight: April 28, 2009
Delivered: April 2009-2012
IOC: June 2009.
Production: 42.
Inventory: 0.
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, combat systems operator, tactical systems operator.