For more than 30 years the Model 200-series King Air and its predecessors have carved out an impressive niche in the demanding and increasingly competitive market that characterizes Special Mission aircraft.
The term “Special Missions” had its origin as early as World War I and has evolved during the past 50 years to encompass a plethora of unique aerial applications, ranging from routine photographic reconnaissance of the battlefield to highly-classified surveillance and intelligence gathering operations.
During the past 35 years*, more than 1,500 Beechcraft King Airs designed for Special Missions have been delivered to customers worldwide, according to Hawker Beechcraft Corporation.
In 1964, the advent of the Model 90 King Air opened new possibilities for the infant Special Missions market in part because of increased overall performance provided by its two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-series turboprop engines. Realizing these advantages, in 1968 the U.S. Army ordered 14 Model A90-1 King Airs designated RU-21A and RU-21D for Special Missions applications, as well as the RU-21E (Model A90-4) configured with special wing-mounted antennae for “Guardrail” electronic countermeasures and communications operations. In addition, the Army acquired three early production Model 200 King Airs in 1974 that were converted to A100-1 configuration and equipped for “Guardrail” duties.
In the wake of the Model 200’s stellar success in the business aircraft marketplace, in the mid-1970s Beech Aircraft Corporation officials recognized the airframe’s potential for commercial, governmental and Para-public Special Missions applications. As a result, in 1976 Model 200 constructor number (c/n) BB-186 was converted to the prototype Model 200T and given c/n
BT-1. Designed for maritime patrol operations, the airplane was equipped with 50-gallon wing tip tanks to increase range but particularly endurance and loiter time. Special large, bulge-type observation windows were installed on both sides of the aft cabin and a powerful, surveillance radar designed to sweep the seascape was housed under the fuselage.
To complete the external transformation, a large fairing, also located beneath the fuselage cabin section, accommodated various photographic and reconnaissance equipment. Further modifications were made inside the cabin and included consoles for electronic control and monitoring of the radar.
The Model 200T was capable of remaining airborne for more than eight hours at recommended power settings that were optimized for loiter time. The company built 31 Model 200T King Airs across an 11-year period ending in 1987.
Since that time a large number of different commercial and military variations of the Model 200 series King Air have been developed to meet a staggering array of unique and classified surveillance and monitoring requirements. These airplanes serve a wide range of customers whose missions vary from coastal patrol to gathering intelligence on potential adversaries and terrorist organizations. Over the years the company has repeatedly refused to identify certain nations that operate these aircraft, chiefly for security reasons. It is known, however, that five FWC-12D airplanes were listed as Foreign Military Sales in 1983 to Israel, and that nation continues to employ sophisticated versions of Special Missions King Airs as an integral part of its Israeli Defense Force structure.
Throughout the late 1970s and into the present decade, the Model 200 and its successor, the Model B200, continue to attract U.S. and foreign military sales for Special Missions applications ranging from VIP transport to intelligence gathering, monitoring and communications.
The Army, Navy and the U.S. Air Force have been repeat customers for the C-12 series that began in 1974 with the C-12A (Model A200), of which 34 were ordered by those services. Another 20 were built in 1975 followed by 32 in 1976 and 18 for the Army in 1977.
The final 20 C-12A transports were built in 1978 before that model was replaced by the C/UC-12B (Model A200C). The Navy acquired nine airplanes for personnel and light utility missions (also operated by the U.S. Marine Corps) that were facilitated by installation of a 52-inch x 52-inch cargo door shared with the commercial Model 200C King Air. The factory produced 66
UC-12Bs from 1979-1982. The Air Force bought 12 UC-12F versions in 1986 that were similar to the UC-12B. Of these airplanes, c/n BU-11 and c/n BU-12 were specially modified for surveillance of firing range operations that were part of the Air Force’s “RANSAC” mission. In 1988, the company delivered six C-12J airplanes that were based on the commercial Model 1900C-1 originally developed for the 19-seat commuter airlines market.
*This article was previously published in the March 2013 issue.