As explained in the interesting video in this post the MC-12W Liberty provides intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) to ground forces all over the world.
The MC-12W, which is a military version of the Hawker Beechcraft Super King Air 350ER civilian turboprop, is not just an aircraft, but a complete collection, processing, analysis and dissemination system. Actually the MC-12 is part of a fully operational system that consists of a modified aircraft with sensors, a ground exploitation cell, line-of-sight and satellite communications datalinks, along with a robust voice communications suite.
The aircraft is equipped with an electro-optical infrared sensor and other sensors as the mission requires.
Medium- to low-altitude ISR is a core mission for USAF: the MC-12 capability in fact supports all aspects of the Air Force Irregular Warfare mission (counter insurgency, foreign internal defense and building partnership capacity).
The “M” is the Department of Defense designation for a multi-role version of the well-known C-12 series. In April 2008, the secretary of defense established a DoD-wide ISR task force to identify and recommend solutions for increased ISR in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. On July 1, 2008, the secretary of defense tasked the Air Force to acquire the C-12 class aircraft to augment unmanned systems. Of note, it was less than eight months from funding approval to delivery in the theater.
The MC-12W capability supports all aspects of the Air Force Irregular Warfare mission (counter insurgency, foreign internal defense and building partnership capacity). Medium-to low-altitude ISR is a core mission for the Air Force.
The first MC-12W arrived at Key Field in Meridian, Mississippi, April 28, 2009. The first MC-12W flew its first combat support sortie June 12, 2009. The fleet of 13 aircraft later transferred to the 137th Air Wing, Oklahoma Air National Guard, and arrived at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base July 10, 2015.
Photo credit: Senior Airman Tiffany Trojca / U.S. Air Force
Source: U.S. Air Force
Military Aviation