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The US Air Force (USAF) has set out its timetable for transferring control of its Beechcraft MC-12W Liberty special mission aircraft over to the US Army and Special Operations Command (SOCOM).ISR aircraft hones in on strategic agility > U.S. Air Force > Article Display
According to an article posted on the USAF's website on 10 November, the process has already begun, with "a portion" of the aircraft already transferred to army control (though still operated by the air force).
"The relationship will continue through next year," the USAF article said, adding: "only the army will own the aircraft and air force crews will augment army personnel. The air force will provide the processing, exploitation and dissemination of MC-12W information in fiscal [year] 2015, in support of army missions. In [FY] 2016, army personnel will take on the whole mission." No details pertaining to SOCOM were disclosed in the article.
As America currently transitions security responsibilities in Afghanistan, the Air Force is divesting the MC-12 to the Army and Air Force Special Operations Command so it can invest in capabilities suited for highly contested operations. Even so, the MC-12 will be regarded as an extraordinarily successful program.Liberty Location.
During the 400,000 combat hours flown, the MC-12W Liberty aided in the kill or capture of more than 8,000 terrorists, discovered more than 650 weapons caches, helped divert convoys around improvised explosive devices, provided over watch for large numbers of coalition forces, and saved coalition lives.
Recently, a portion of the MC-12W fleet has transferred from Air Force to Army control. This seamless transfer allowed for no mission interruption in Afghanistan operations.
Transfer Plan: Liberty Aircraft To Be Relocated To AFSOC Bases In FY-15
U.S. Special Operations Command wants to consolidate its MC-12 Liberty aircraft operations with Air Force Special Operations Command as SOCOM prepares to take control of 33 additional MC-12 aircraft from the Air Force's 9th Reconnaissance Wing.
SOCOM has for years owned a fleet of 10 MC-12s, although they are operated by U.S. contractors, AFSOC spokeswoman Raquel Sanchez told Inside the Air Force in an April 9 email. But when those aircraft transition to AFSOC, they will be operated by active-duty and Air National Guard crews.
Funding to transition those 10 aircraft, and the additional 33 MC-12s the Air Force is making available for special operations missions, is included in the Pentagon's fiscal year 2015 budget request, and any transition would require lawmakers to authorize that part of the budget in its current form.
The transfer is the result of a 2011 debate over whether the Army should continue buying small turboprop aircraft for its Enhanced Medium-Altitude Reconnaissance and Surveillance System (EMARSS) program, or convert MC-12s currently being flown by the Air Force on medium-altitude intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
MC-12 Liberty
MC-12W Liberty exceeds 300,000 flying hoursUS Military Orders More King Air 350ER Aircraft
Published on May 28, 2013
Video by Senior Airman Andrew Buchanan 9th Reconnaissance WingMC-12W Liberty Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR): Scenes include exterior and interior of aircraft; sensors; night operations; sensor operators and tactical systems operators; pilots preparing aircraft; take off and recovery operations.
http://www.af.mil/information/factshe...
Mission
The MC-12W is a medium- to low-altitude, twin-engine turboprop aircraft. The primary mission is providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, support directly to ground forces. The MC-12W is a joint forces air component commander asset in support of the joint force commander.
Features
The MC-12W is not just an aircraft, but a complete collection, processing, analysis and dissemination system. The aircraft are military versions of the Hawker Beechcraft Super King Air 350 and Super King 350ER. A fully operational system 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. The EO/IR sensor also includes a laser illuminator and designator in a single sensor package. The MC-12 system is capable of worldwide operations.
Background
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 37 "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-12 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-12 arrived at Key Field in Meridian, Miss., April 28, 2009. The first MC-12W flew its first combat support sortie on June 12, 2009.
General Characteristics
Primary function: Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance
Contractor: L-3 Communications
Power plant: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-60A
Wingspan: 57 feet, 11 inches ( 17.65 meters)
Length: 46 feet, 8 inches (14.22 meters)
Height: 14 feet, 4 inches (4.37 meters)
Weight: 12,500 pounds empty (5,669 kilograms)
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 350, 15,000 pounds; 350ER, 16,500 pounds
Fuel capacity: 350, 3,611 pounds (1,638 kilograms); 350ER, 5,192 pounds (2,355 kilograms)
Speed: 312 knots
Range: 350, 1,500 nautical miles; 350ER, approximately 2,400 nautical miles
Ceiling: 35,000 feet (10,668 meters)
Armament: none
Crew: Two pilots and two sensor operators
Initial operating capability: June 2009
Unit cost: $17 million (aircraft and all communications equipment modifications)
Inventory: Active force, 42; Reserve, 0; ANG, 0
Published on Jun 28, 2013
MC-12W Liberty is U.S. Air Force airplane for surveillance roles primarily over Afghanistan and Iraq. Beechcraft builds the basic plane and then sends it to Greenville, Texas where sophisticated Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance equipment is installed by L-3 Communications Missions Integration.MC-12W Liberty Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Aircraft - Airforce Technology
Scenes include exterior and interior of aircraft; sensors; night operations; sensor operators and tactical systems operators; pilots preparing aircraft; take off and recovery operations. Video by Senior Airman Andrew Buchanan | 9th Reconnaissance Wing | Date: 04.28.2013
The MC-12W Liberty aircraft is an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft of the United States Air Force (USAF) acquired for Project Liberty. Project Liberty includes Operations Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Enduring Iraqi Freedom (OIF). OEF is the official name designated by the US government for its war in Afghanistan, while OIF is the official name for its war in Iraq.
An asset owned by the Joint Forces Air Component Commander, the aircraft's key mission is to provide ISR services to the ground forces.
A medium-altitude manned vehicle, the MC-12W is based on the Hawker Beechcraft King Air 350 and King Air 350ER models, which are variants of the C-12 series. The aircraft is an augmentation of the two King Air models to include ISR capabilities.
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