Design and development Beechcraft RC-12 Guardrail

a beechcraft rc-12n, 2013

the army guardrail platform has supplied critical intelligence , target information warfighter since 1971. prior 1980s guardrail variants based on u-21. after adopting c-12 platform on u-21, guardrail platform has evolved beneath skin through structural, power plant, , equipment upgrades noted various models described below.

initially, army had 13 rc-12ds converted c-12ds, deliveries starting in mid-1983. 1 aircraft assigned army forces command (forscom) @ fort mcpherson, georgia, , remainder 1st military intelligence battalion @ wiesbaden, germany, , 2nd military intelligence battalion @ stuttgart, germany. german-based aircraft reassigned late 1991 3rd, 15th , 304th military intelligence battalions @ camp humphreys (south korea), fort hood (texas) , fort huachuca (arizona) respectively. 1 converted earlier configuration c-12d-1.

the next subsequent model rc-12g. 3 rc-12g delivered in 1985 after conversion c-12d airframes. these aircraft served in latin america , 138th military intelligence company (aerial exploitation) in orlando, florida, before being moved storage @ fort sill, oklahoma.

the next subsequent model rc-12h. initial system contractor esl inc. delivered 6 rc-12h in 1988 3rd military intelligence battalion @ camp humphreys in pyongtaek, south korea.

the next subsequent model rc-12k. army ordered 9 rc-12k in october 1985, of 8 replaced rc-12ds in 1st military intelligence battalion in may 1991. 1 of these subsequently lost in accident. ninth army aircraft retained contractor, raytheon, conversion planned rc-12n configuration. additional 2 rc-12k aircraft delivered israel in may–june 1991.

the prototype rc-12n converted rc-12k. total of 15 converted e-systems , delivered 1992-93 224th military intelligence battalion @ hunter army air field, georgia , 304th military intelligence battalion @ libby army air force, fort huachuca, arizona. 1 of these lost in accident.

the next subsequent model rc-12p. total of 9 rc-12p aircraft delivered esl/trw @ moffett federal airfield in late 1994 , 1995, , these airframes remained there in 1999.

tnree rc-12ps modified raytheon , trw become rc-12q. transferred trw in 1996 outfitting, remained in 1999. aircraft featured prominent dorsal radome housing satellite communications antenna.

the rc-12 in various versions include newest rc-12x , rc-12x+ have seen deployments oef , oif. of july 2012, northrop grumman announced rc-12x guardrails completed on 1,000th missions since going theater in 2011. that’s around 2 missions per day, every single day. recent upgrades , force realignments have seen these newest models replace older variants in korea.

a $462 million rc-12x program underway @ northrop grumman expected bring different aircraft introduce common standards throughout rc-12 guardrail fleet upgrading aircraft in army’s rc-12 fleet rc-12x standard, thereby replacing or upgrading older variants. guardrail modernization program extends life of aircraft through 2025 , introduces new payloads system enhanced capabilities sense , exploit emerging , rapidly evolving irregular , conventional warfare threats. program enhances sustainability of rc-12x through commonality, new glass cockpit, structural upgrades, , significant hardware , software improvements.