Beechcraft RC-12 Guardrail

Beechcraft RC-12 Guardrail
Paese	Usa
Classe e tipo	Segnali aerei di intelligence
Stato	Servizio attivo
Costruito	Inconsapevole

Le Beechcraft RC-12 Guardrail è una piattaforma di raccolta sigint (Airborne Signals Intelligence) basata su Beechcraft King Air e Super King Air. Mentre l'esercito degli Stati Uniti e in particolare l'esercito degli Stati Uniti hanno numerose varianti di trasporto del personale delle piattaforme King Air a cui si fa riferimento con la designazione generale C-12, la specifica RC-12 rappresenta una piattaforma pesantemente modificata che facilita la raccolta SIGINT attraverso vari sensori e processori di bordo.

fonte: Beechcraft RC-12 Guardrail su Wikipedia

Beechcraft RC-12N Guardrail Walk Around
Photographer	Vladimir Yakubov
Localisation	Nellis Air Force Base
Photos	111

Guardrail Beechcraft RC-12N 1

Guardrail Beechcraft RC-12N 2

Beechcraft RC-12N Guardrail 3

Beechcraft RC-12N Guardrail 4

Guardrail Beechcraft RC-12N 5

Guardrail Beechcraft RC-12N 6

Beechcraft RC-12N Guardrail 7

Guardrail Beechcraft RC-12N 8

Guardrail Beechcraft RC-12N 9

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General Characteristics and Role

The Beechcraft RC-12N Guardrail is a specialized signals intelligence (SIGINT) and electronic reconnaissance aircraft used by the United States Army. It is a highly modified version of the commercially successful Beechcraft Super King Air twin-turboprop aircraft. The RC-12 series, collectively known under the “Guardrail” program, is designed to intercept, locate, and classify enemy electronic transmissions, primarily communications (COMINT) and radar (ELINT). The RC-12N is one of the more recent and heavily upgraded variants, featuring enhanced performance engines, improved avionics, and most importantly, a sophisticated suite of antennas and sensors for its signals intelligence mission. The aircraft is easily recognizable by the various antenna fairings, especially the large, canoe-shaped radome beneath the fuselage.

Property	Typical Value (RC-12N)
Ruolo	Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) / Electronic Reconnaissance
National Origin	Stati Uniti
Produttore	Beechcraft (Airframe) / Various for Systems
Basis Aircraft	Beechcraft Super King Air 200
Equipaggio	2 Pilots + 2-4 Intelligence/Electronic Warfare Operators
Lunghezza	13.34 m (43 ft 9 in)
Apertura alare	16.61 m (54 ft 6 in)
Altezza	4.57 m (15 ft 0 in)
Empty Weight	Approx. 3,500 kg (7,700 lb)
Max Takeoff Weight	6,800 kg (15,000 lb) (Approximate operational weight)

Powerplant and Performance

Engines: 2 x Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67 turboprop engines.
Power Output (Each): 820 kW (1,100 shp).
Maximum Speed: Approx. 535 km/h (333 mph; 289 kn).
Cruise Speed: Optimized for loitering speeds necessary for intelligence gathering.
Range: Typically around 3,200 km (2,000 mi), depending on mission profile.
Endurance: High endurance (typically 7+ hours) is critical for its reconnaissance role.

Intelligence Systems (Guardrail)

Primary Mission System: AN/ARW-89(V) Guardrail Common Sensor (CS) system, which is a modular signals intelligence package.
Function: Highly accurate collection of electronic emissions from ground-based threats (e.g., enemy command posts, communications nodes, radar sites).
Reconnaissance Method: Aircraft often fly in formations of two or three to use triangulation techniques for precise geo-location of signal emitters.
Real-Time Data: The collected data is relayed in real-time via satellite or line-of-sight data links to ground processing stations and military commanders.