Beechcraft RC-12D

Beechcraft · United States · first flew 1977 · transport aircraft

The RC-12D is a signals intelligence and reconnaissance variant of the C-12D Huron, operated by the US Army as part of the Guardrail Common Sensor airborne intelligence system.

Recognition (WEFT)

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

• SIGINT/reconnaissance variant of C-12D with external antenna farms
• Part of US Army Guardrail Common Sensor programme
• Multiple blade antennas and fairings distinguish it from transport C-12s

Distinguished from all other C-12 variants by an extensive array of blade antennas, teardrop fairings, and wingtip pods housing SIGINT collection equipment, giving it a bristling appearance.

Specifications

• The Beechcraft RC-12D has a length of 13.34 m (44 ft).
• It has a wingspan of 16.61 m (54 ft).
• Its maximum speed is 480 km/h (298 mph).
• Typical crew: 2 + mission crew.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Developed in the late 1970s to provide the US Army with a dedicated airborne SIGINT platform, the RC-12D was extensively modified internally to carry intelligence-gathering equipment while retaining the King Air 200 airframe.

Variants

The RC-12D was followed by the more capable RC-12G, RC-12H, RC-12K, and RC-12N in the Guardrail programme, each with progressively more sophisticated sensor suites.

Where you'll see it

RC-12Ds served with Military Intelligence battalions, primarily in Europe during the Cold War and later in support of operations in the Middle East.

Related aircraft

• Beechcraft TC-12B Huron
• Beechcraft C-12D Huron
• Beechcraft King Air F90
• Beechcraft T-44A Pegasus
• Antonov An-72
• Aerospatiale AS 532 Cougar
• AIDC XC-2
• An-32 (Cline)

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