Manufacturer: L-3 Communications
Service: USAF Propulsion: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-60A Speed: 312 knots Range: 1,500 nm Armament: none Crew: Two pilots and two sensor operatorsA highly modified Hawker Beechcraft Super King Air 350 civilian airframe, the MC-12 Liberty is the U.S. Air Force’s newest manned surveillance aircraft to support joint commanders in combat environments.
The MC-12W is a medium- to low-altitude, twin-engine turboprop aircraft. A fully operational system consists of a modified aircraft with sensors, a ground exploitation cell, line-of-sight and satellite communications datalinks, along with a robust voice communications suite.
The aircraft is equipped with an electro-optical infrared sensor and other sensors as the mission requires. The EO/IR sensor also includes a laser illuminator and designator in a single sensor package. The MC-12 system is capable of worldwide operations.
![Perseverance Mars rover collecting a sample from a rock called "Bunsen Peak"](http://images03.military.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_large/public/2024-04/ApNewsroom_NASA_Mars_40344.jpg?itok=VDgDNyaU "This photo provided by NASA shows the Perseverance Mars rover collecting a sample from a rock called "Bunsen Peak" using a coring bit on the end of its robotic arm on March 11, 2024. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU via AP)")
