Electronic reconnaissance aircraft Beechcraft RC-12 Guardrail (USA)

RC-12D aircraft of the first modification. Photo Globalsecurity.org

In 1983, the US Army received the first Beechcraft RC-12 Guardrail electronic reconnaissance aircraft. In the future, they have repeatedly undergone various upgrades, due to which they still remain in operation and retain high potential. However, in the near future, such equipment is planned to be removed from service due to moral and physical obsolescence.

Development processes

Since the early seventies, the army aviation and the US Air Force actively operated military transport aircraft of the Beechcraft King Air family. At the end of the decade, on the basis of the U-21 modification, an electronic reconnaissance aircraft was even created, known as the Guardrail - after the installed electronics complex. In general, such a sample showed itself on a good side, but the platform used was considered outdated and in need of replacement.

Ground control and data processing station AN / ARM-163 (V). Photo Globalsecurity.org

In the early eighties, the development of a new RTR aircraft on a newer base began. The latter was a Beechcraft C-12 Huron aircraft. In 1983, 13 aircraft of this type were upgraded according to a new project and received a set of special equipment. After that, they were given the designation RC-12D Guardrail.

Subsequently, at intervals of several years, various modernization projects were created. The development of "Gardrail" was carried out in two main directions: the plane-platform was being improved and, in parallel, new models of radio equipment were developed. In total, ten aircraft modifications were developed, including the base and export.

The RC-12G memorial aircraft, which previously carried a special RTR complex. Photo Skytamer.com

The last modernization was carried out in the middle of the tenth years and allowed once again to get new opportunities, as well as to extend the service life. According to current plans, RC-12X will remain in service until 2025, after which they will have to be written off when the resource is developed. By that time, it is planned to create a new generation of RTR aircraft, which will take over all such work.

Airplane platform

The base C-12D Huron was an army twin-engined cargo-passenger low-wing aircraft based on the commercial Beechcraft Air King. Depending on the problem being solved, the crew could include up to five people; the cabin was able to accommodate 13 passengers or an equivalent load. The C-12H differed from previous modifications by an enlarged side door and other improvements aimed at optimizing transportation.

The aircraft of the "K" modification. Photo Wikimedia Commons

The aircraft had a length of 13,3 m with a wingspan of 16,6 m. Dry weight - approx. 3,5 tons, maximum take-off in the base modification - 5,7 tons. A pair of Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-41 turboprop engines with a capacity of 850 hp each. allowed to develop a maximum speed of 536 km / h, cruising speed - 370 km / h. The practical range reached 3500 km.

During the restructuring into the RTR aircraft, the base "Huron" underwent some changes. Various blocks of electronic equipment were installed in the cockpit. A variety of antenna devices were mounted on the outer surfaces of the airframe. As the Fencing developed, the number and configuration of external antennas changed.

Curiously, there were no operator jobs on board the aircraft. The control of special equipment in all modifications of the RC-12 was carried out remotely from a ground point.

Reconnaissance RC-12N in flight. Photo by US Air Force

Target load

The first aircraft of the family, the RC-12D, received the AN / USD-9 Improved Guardrail V reconnaissance complex, working together with the AN / TSQ-105 (V) 4 ground data processing complex and the AN / ARM-63 (V) 4 command post. According to known data, the Improved Guardrail V complex could detect radio signals in a wide frequency range, as well as determine their source and direction to it. The joint work of several RTR aircraft and the command post made it possible to calculate the location of the signal source with sufficient accuracy.

In 1983, according to the RC-12D project, 13 aircraft were converted for the American army. Then they made five more boards for the Israeli Air Force. According to known data, the RTR export complex was changed in accordance with the wishes of the customer, but retained all the functions and capabilities of the basic one.

RC-12N on the ground. Photo Wikimedia Commons

The next project, RC-12G Crazyhorse, featured a new RTR complex that collects and issues intelligence in real time. Three C-12D aircraft received such equipment. The developments on this modification were later used in the following upgrades.

In 1988, the army received six new RC-12H aircraft. An advanced Guardrail / Common Sensor System 3 reconnaissance system was installed on them. This was a modified version of the AN / USD-9 (V) 2 product, supplemented by several new units. An AN / ALQ-162 jamming station and an AN / ALQ-156 defense complex also appeared on board.

Since 1991, ten RC-12K aircraft with an upgraded Guardrail / Common Sensor System 4 have been delivered. In addition, the "K" modification received more powerful engines, which made it possible to compensate for the increase in takeoff weight, increase the cruising speed to 460 km / h and improve others. flight characteristics.

RC-12P. Photo by US Air Force

By the middle of the decade, 15 aircraft of various modifications were rebuilt according to the RC-15N project. Improved cockpit equipment, new general aircraft systems and engines were used. Also, the RTR complex was updated for the next project of the Guardrail / Common Sensor System series. Later, nine of these machines underwent a new upgrade according to the RC-12P project. They received new instrumentation, modern communication facilities, etc. The P-aircraft could be distinguished from the previous aircraft by their smaller nacelles with wing-mounted instrumentation.

Since 1999, three RC-12Q aircraft have been in service. In terms of the composition of the equipment, they were similar to the previous modification "P", but differed in the installation of satellite communications. A new large antenna was placed on the roof of the fuselage under the characteristic fairing. The presence of satellite communications has increased the working radius of the complex.

In the 12s, the RC-XNUMXX project was developed, in which a new version of the Guardrail / Common Sensor complex was used. The latter was reported to provide wider frequency range operation, more robustness to interference, and improved accuracy in locating signal sources.

Airplane RC-12P in flight. The fairing with the equipment under the bottom is visible. Photo by US Air Force

In 2016, the last modification of the RC-12X + entered service. This project provided for the repair and extension of the service life of the platform aircraft with a minor upgrade of the RTR equipment. No fundamentally new features were reported. Judging by recent events and statements, the RC-12X + modification will remain the last and will no longer receive further development.

According to open data, the latest versions of RC-12 aircraft are designed to detect various radio signals and determine the location of their source. Such capabilities are used to identify air defense radar stations, headquarters and command posts, as well as other military infrastructure. The data on the location of radio transmission sources can be used to refine tactical maps or to organize strikes by any available forces and means, as well as for subsequent control of the results.

Aircraft RC-12Q with a satellite communications complex. Photo Airwar.ru

Deployment and Operation

The first 13 RC-12D aircraft were already in 1983-84. were distributed between several air bases in the United States and Germany, and 12 vehicles were sent to Europe. Subsequently, production and deployment continued. By the end of the decade, aircraft of all existing modifications appeared at airfields in the USA, Europe and South Korea.

Units were regularly transferred from one base to another, depending on the availability of reconnaissance tasks in a particular region. RTR aircraft were actively used both in preparation for military operations and directly during hostilities. This technique helped the troops to work effectively in Iraq, Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, etc.

For obvious reasons, "Gardrails" regularly appear at the Russian borders. So, at the end of 2019, two RC-12X aircraft were transferred to Lithuania. From the Siauliai airfield, they can monitor the western regions of Russia, including the Kaliningrad region. What data about the Russian army has been collected over the past time, and how they will be used is unknown.

One of the RC-12X deployed to Lithuania in 2019 Photo Bmpd.livejournal.com

In the past, several dozen RC-12 aircraft of early modifications were built, later modernized according to new designs. At the moment in the composition of several squadrons there are only 19 machines of the late versions "X" and "X +". For now, they will continue to serve, but by 2025, the full depletion of the resource is expected, as a result of which the equipment will have to be written off. Work is already underway to create a new aviation complex with the same functions and higher performance.

Proven by practice

As special aircraft, the Beechcraft RC-12 Guardrail was not produced in large series. At the same time, and in limited quantities, they fully met the requirements and coped with the assigned tasks. Thanks to this, for several decades, the US Army was able to successfully collect data on a potential enemy. Constant modernization made it possible to extend the service life and increase the basic working capabilities.

However, the technology cannot be used forever, and therefore the long-term operation of the "Gardrail" is coming to an end. In the next few years, we can expect some reduction in the RC-12X / X + fleet, and in the middle of the decade they will be completely abandoned. These aircraft will still have time to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the beginning of their service, but soon after that their story will end.

Comments

[Tsoy]

Few, little-known, little impressive, but very important elements of the intelligence system. A desirable target to receive as a trophy.

[Toucan]

Quote: Choi

Few, little-known, little impressive, but very important elements of the intelligence system. A desirable target to receive as a trophy.

The Americans did not advertise these machines, until the mid-90s there was no official information about their purpose at all.

[OgnennyiKotik]

Quote: Tucan

The Americans did not advertise these machines, until the mid-90s there was no official information about their purpose at all.

They generally prefer to remain silent about their electronic warfare systems. Any data, even photos, say a lot about their characteristics.

Here is a special forces soldier with a portable electronic warfare system (RER), for example. What is known about her? Who even knows about her?

[Bongo]

Quote: Tucan

The Americans did not advertise these machines, until the mid-90s there was no official information about their purpose at all.

In the United States, there are other light turboprop aircraft that they prefer not to talk about much.

For example, U-28A HB-FOG is equipped with Northrop Grumman WF-160DS IR / EO sensors, Raytheon Sea Vue SV 1021 radar, Delfin Systems electronic intelligence system operating in the frequency range from 30 MHz to 2 GHz.

This aircraft has a real-time data transmission system over a radio channel for a range of up to 200 km. It is equipped with a complete set of equipment that allows it to fly at night, regardless of external navigation support.

You can also recall the decommissioned army RV-1D Mohawk electronic reconnaissance aircraft.

[Lech from Android.]

The flight altitude is small, a portable MANPADS can be reached, and you can drown out its equipment with electronic warfare.

[zyablik.olga]

Quote: Lech from Android.

The flight altitude is small, a portable MANPADS can be reached, and you can drown out its equipment with electronic warfare.

Well, yes ... the Americans are stupid, and when planning combat missions for such specific and rare aircraft, potential threats are not taken into account. For that matter, the vulnerability of an RC-12 patrolling in the rear is much lower than that of a transport or combat helicopter.

Quote: Lech from Android.

Well, describe the tactics of using these aircraft.

This is in open sources, to prevent losses from enemy air defense, RC-12 aircraft operate exclusively over their own troops.

Quote: Lech from Android.

Is it okay that the plane has a satellite communications complex? Or is it not jammed either?

Is it okay that the RC-12 equipment is capable of fixing the position of any radio signal sources, and satellite communication channels have hundreds of letter frequencies, which are replaced instantly?
Or are you an adherent of "almighty electronic warfare"? God grant her to suppress the channels of combat control of strike aircraft and UAVs. It didn't work out very well in Karabakh.

[Nemo]

The flight altitude of this bird is up to 11000m, the maximum altitude of destruction of MANPADS is 3800. So only air defense missile systems can be destroyed.

[Bongo]

Quote: Lech from Android.

The flight altitude is small, a portable MANPADS can be reached, and you can drown out its equipment with electronic warfare.

Why such difficulties? Their caps, hats ...

[Toucan]

Quote: Lech from Android.

The flight altitude is small, a portable MANPADS can be reached, and you can drown out its equipment with electronic warfare.

You are not familiar with the tactics of using these aircraft.
With a strong enemy air defense, they fly exclusively over their territory. The reconnaissance radio complex operates exclusively in a passive mode. What are you going to jam, your own radio networks?

[Lech from Android.]

Well, describe the tactics of using these aircraft.
Is it okay that the plane has a satellite communications complex? Or is it not jammed either?

[Toucan]

Well, describe the tactics of using these aircraft.

This is possible, but only after you describe how you will shoot down an aircraft from a MANPADS hiding behind the front line, and with what electronic warfare system, without revealing its positions, will you begin to crush the satellite channels of an electronic reconnaissance aircraft?

[Lech from Android.]

In the recent Karabak conflict, a sabotage group of Turks or Azeri residents shot down our helicopter in Armenia with the help of MANPADS ... is this example enough?
By the way, how is the investigation of this case progressing, I would like to know from Mr. Aliyev?
And with what complex will I crush satellite channels ... to do this, I need to get access to the documentation of the chipboard and classified ... you understand this is not real.

[Toucan]

In the recent Karabak conflict, a sabotage group of Turks or Azeri residents shot down our helicopter in Armenia with the help of MANPADS ... is this example enough?

You better tell me, when was the last time an American combat aircraft was shot down by MANPADS? And the comparison of the Mi-24 shot down at low altitude is very correct with the aircraft patrolling at an altitude of more than 3 km.

By the way, how is the investigation of this case progressing, I would like to know from Mr. Aliyev?

So find out, why write to me?

And what kind of complex I will crush satellite channels ... what smile for this I need to get access to the documentation of the particle board and with the secrecy label ... you understand this is not real ...

Then you shouldn't make unfounded statements.

[Lech from Android.]

The willow reaches up to 6 km, so it's really possible to shoot down this plane.
An American plane with US special forces was shot down in Afghanistan by an Iranian missile ... a very interesting story.
I hope Aliyev reads our forum and maybe he will answer ... what the hell is not kidding.
Well, about the unfounded statements ... remember the recent case with the US strategic drone near the Crimean borders and the concern of the Baltic countries about violations of satellite communications ... the secrets of our electronic warfare are one of the most guarded secrets in Russia.
Outsiders are not allowed to enter there.

[Toucan]

The willow reaches up to 6 km, so it's really possible to shoot down this plane.

You know, if you start writing about what you really understand, it will look much more dignified. No need to juggle, engage in verbiage, and replace the maximum horizontal firing range with height reach.

remember the recent incident with the US strategic drone near the Crimean borders and the Baltic states' concerns about satellite communications violations ... the secrets of our electronic warfare are one of the most guarded secrets in Russia.

Of course, this is so, but I'm used to being responsible for my words and not making irresponsible statements.
But if you declare:

and electronic warfare can drown out its equipment.

- do you completely own the information, how to drown out without revealing your position?
In some way, I have something to do with the topic under discussion, and I assure you that you are not placing the accents quite correctly.

[OgnennyiKotik]

Oh yeah, stop wasting time on this. Maximum 10% of what you write reaches his mind.

[Lech from Android.]

Yeah 10 percent and all mine ... getting personal?

[Lech from Android.]

You know, I am not an official person and I use open sources of information and draw conclusions based on them and I do not intend to adapt to your principles and desires ... I have my own head on my shoulders ... if you don’t like something, this is your problem, but not my dear Tusan.

[Toucan]

You know, I am not an official person and I use open sources of information and draw conclusions based on them and I do not intend to adapt to your principles and desires ...

Does someone require you to adjust? You
you undertake to judge things that you do not understand at all, and, unfortunately, you draw information from frankly unreliable sources, which, first of all, are the pro-government media. At your leisure, for general development, take an interest in the "Willow" ceiling.

[Lech from Android.]

I will undoubtedly take an interest, as for the pro-government media, there will soon be no other in Russia ... all sources of information with sensitive information are systematically blocked and taken under the control of interested organizations and people ... lately it has been clearly visible.
Well, I still prefer to judge things from my bell tower ... at least if I am mistaken, I blame myself and not an outsider uncle.

[riwas]

The Gardrail Common Sensor airborne electronic reconnaissance complex also includes a mobile ground control center, data processing and transmission of reconnaissance results in five vehicles.
It was planned to replace (according to the ZVO magazine) this complex with the ACS (Aerial Common Sensor) electronic reconnaissance complex.
ACS was supposed to provide real-time automatic detection, identification and high-precision positioning of modern radar and radio communications in the frequency range 20-40000 MHz, interception of radio signals, as well as optoelectronic survey of enemy targets and the issuance of target designations to fire weapons. The on-board equipment of each aircraft was supposed to have six workstations with sets of technical means that would allow radio and electronic reconnaissance of radio emission sources at a distance of up to 350 km, radar - up to 250 km, optoelectronic - up to 120 km. High accuracy in determining the location of targets, including mobile: radio stations with an accuracy of 50-150 m and radar - 10-30 m), should be ensured through the use of two or three aircraft, the integration of goniometric, differential-rangefinder and differential-Doppler processing methods received signals, as well as the use of data from KRNS. But something about him is not heard.

[bk0010]

The control of special equipment in all modifications of the RC-12 was carried out remotely from a ground point.

That is, when he catches the target signal, he must simultaneously "make noise" himself, next to his receivers? Very strange.

Then they made five more boards for the Israeli Air Force. According to known data, the RTR export complex was changed in accordance with the wishes of the customer, but retained all the functions and capabilities of the basic one.

It was changed, but it retained all the features ... What was finalized there? Did they do circumcision, or what?

[Zaurbek]

We did not pay attention to such devices ... although there were a lot of carriers - An28, L-410 ...

[Strannik_0055]

Good night, you can help, literature is needed on the experience of using P aircraft data (very little information). Maybe there was an article on this topic.