U.S. Using MC-12s for Nigerian Surveillance
AIN Defense Perspective » May 16, 2014
A U.S. Air Force MC-12W surveillance aircraft is flying over northern Nigeria. (Photo: Chris Pocock)
May 15, 2014, 7:31 AM
The U.S. Air Force is flying surveillance missions over northern Nigeria using MC-12W twin turboprops from Project Liberty. The flights are trying to locate more than 200 schoolgirls kidnapped by the militant Islamist group Boko Haram. They throw some light on a relatively unknown fleet of ISR aircraft that is currently “owned” by Air Combat Command, but likely to move to Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) next year.
Thirty-seven MC-12Ws based on the Beechcraft King Air 350 (eight aircraft) and 350ER (29 aircraft) were hurriedly acquired between 2008 and 2010 to fill a perceived gap in responsive ISR and close air support to U.S. ground troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. L-3 Mission Integration was the contractor that modified the basic aircraft by adding the Wescam Mx-15Di full-motion video and targeting sensor, a Sigint system, multiple radios and a dual datalink (line-of-sight and satcom). L-3 has subsequently marketed a similar conversion for export as the Spydr.
Thirty-seven MC-12Ws based on the Beechcraft King Air 350 (eight aircraft) and 350ER (29 aircraft) were hurriedly acquired between 2008 and 2010 to fill a perceived gap in responsive ISR and close air support to U.S. ground troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. L-3 Mission Integration was the contractor that modified the basic aircraft by adding the Wescam Mx-15Di full-motion video and targeting sensor, a Sigint system, multiple radios and a dual datalink (line-of-sight and satcom). L-3 has subsequently marketed a similar conversion for export as the Spydr.
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