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        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders   B-roll of MC-12W Liberty. (U.S. Air Force)
                
                
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        A MC-12W awaits a preflight inspectionA 137th Special Operations Wing MC-12W awaits a preflight inspection at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base in Oklahoma City, Jan. 9, 2018. The MC-12 is a twin engine turbo prop aircraft used to gather intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to support ground forces around the world. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Tyler Woodward)
                
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        The first MC-12 aircraft in-theater lands after its first combat sortie at approximately 6:20 p.m. local time June 10 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. The Air Force's newest intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform, the MC-12 is a medium-altitude manned special-mission turbo prop aircraft that supports coalition and joint ground forces. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Tiffany Trojca)An MC-12W Liberty makes its final approach at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., Jan. 22, 2014. The MC-12W’s primary mission is to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support directly to ground forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Bobby Cummings)
                
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 MC-12W Liberty**Mission**
The MC-12W is a medium-to low-altitude, twin-engine turboprop aircraft. Its primary mission is providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance 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 350ER. A fully operational system consists of a modified aircraft with mission system suit, electro-optical infrared sensors, line-of-sight and satellite communications datalinks, along with a robust voice communications suite.

The MC-12W is a medium-to low-altitude, twin-engine turboprop aircraft. Its primary mission is providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support directly to ground forces.A 137th Special Operations Wing MC-12W awaits an early morning preflight inspection at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, Oklahoma City, Okla. May 22, 2018. The MC-12 is a twin-engine turbo prop aircraft used to gather intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to support ground forces around the world. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Jordan Martin)
            
            
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    A U.S. Air Force MC-12W awaits a preflight inspectionA U.S. Air Force MC-12W aircraft assigned to the 137th Special Operations Wing awaits a preflight inspection at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base in Oklahoma City Jan. 9, 2018. The MC-12 is a twin engine turbo prop aircraft used to gather intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to support ground forces around the world. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Tyler Woodward)
            
            
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    MC-12W preparing to takeoffShawn Hall, 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft mechanic, marshals in a MC-12W aircraft June 26, 2015, at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan. Hall is part of the Project liberty team that is deployed here in support of NATO’s Resolute Support mission. (U.S. Air Force photo  by Senior Airman Cierra)
            
            
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**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 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.**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:**  16,500 pounds**Fuel capacity:** 5,192 pounds (2,355 kilograms)**Speed:** 312 knots**Range:**  approximately 2,400 nautical miles**Ceiling:**  35,000 feet (10,668 meters)**Armament:**  none**Crew:**  2 Pilots, 1 Combat Systems Officer, 1 Tactical Systems Operator**Initial operating capability:**  June 2009**Unit cost:** $17 million (aircraft and all communications equipment modifications)**Inventory:**  active duty, 0; Reserve, 0; ANG, 13
(Current as of March 2021)MC-12W Liberty
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