C-12 Huron

 

C-12J Huron

Mission

The C-12J Huron is a twin turboprop aircraft used for cargo and passenger airlift. The aircraft is a military version of the Raytheon 1900C regional airliner. In addition to providing cargo and passenger airlift, the aircraft is capable of transporting two litter or ten ambulatory patients during aeromedical evacuations.

Features
The C-12J can carry 19 passengers or up to 3500 pounds (1590 kg) of cargo. The fuel capacity of the C-12J is 675.2 gallons (2,555.2 liters) with refueling accomplished directly into each of its four fuel tanks through filler caps located on the top of each wing. The safety and operational capabilities of the C-12J are increased by the autopilot, color weather radar and tactical air navigation system, as well as high frequency, very high frequency and ultra high frequency radios.

The aircraft has a crew of two and may be flown from either cockpit seat. The C-12J fleet recently finished an extensive avionics upgrade and modernization program, which added three multi-function displays able to display all essential navigation information to the pilots. Additionally, three integrated Global Positioning Systems (GPS), two Flight Management Systems (FMS), a new autopilot, VHF/UHF communications radios, and weather radar were installed.

Background
Delivery of the C-12J fleet began in July 1992. The U.S. Air Force currently operates four C-12J aircraft; three of these aircraft are operated by the 459th Airlift Squadron at Yokota Air Base, Japan, and one is operated by Air Force Material Command from Holloman AFB, N.M.

General characteristics
Primary Function:
Passenger and cargo airlift
Prime Contractor: Raytheon Aircraft Company (formerly the Beech Aircraft Corporation)
Propulsion: Two Pratt & Whitney PT6A-65B turboprop engines, each with a four-blade, full-feathering, reversible composite propeller, generating 1,173 shaft horsepower (3,400 ft-lb of torque) on each engine
Length: 57 feet, 10 inches (17.63 meters)
Height: 14 feet, 11 inches (4.55 meters)
Wingspan: 54 feet, 6 inches (16.61 meters)
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 16,710 pounds (7,579.5 kilograms)
Maximum Speed: 284 mph (457 km/hr)
Ceiling: 25,000 feet (7,620 meters)
Fuel Capability: 675.2 gallons (2,555.2 liters); 1,035.2 gallons (3,917.5 liters) with ferry tanks Maximum Range: 1,450 nautical miles, 1,669 statute miles (2,686 kilometers)
Maximum Load: 19 passengers or 3,500 pounds (1,590 kilograms) of cargo
Crew: Two (pilot and co-pilot)
Date Deployed: July 1992
Inventory: Active forces, 4; Air National Guard, 0; Air Force Reserve, 0

(Current as of June 2010)