Aviation Naval Warfare Land Systems Small Arms Space By Flag By Year By Tag

Pilatus U-28

2006 MODERN

History of the Pilatus U-28

In the mid-2000s, at the height of U.S. engagement in the Afghanistan and Iraq theaters, U.S. Special Operations Command - USSOCOM - needed a Budget friendly solution (commercially available) light multi-role aircraft capable of meeting the specific mission parameters of its special forces mission. The result was a redesign of the Swiss-born Pilatus PC-12 passenger/cargo aircraft for the "U-28".

Since its inception, the fleet has been used for a variety of special missions, including providing mission support through (manned) tactical intelligence surveillance (ISR) reconnaissance, search and rescue (SAR), and supporting humanitarian operations.

The PC-12 family has been in service since its introduction in 1994, with more than 1,700 prototypes built to date, making it a successful aircraft design for the Swiss Pilatus.

The U-28 retains all the form and function of the original PC-12 for the civilian market, including the single-engine layout, crew/cabin, low-wing main aircraft and "T-shaped" single-engine rudder. rear wing. A retractable tricycle landing gear allows ground travel.

In addition to the inherent reliability and superior performance of its nose turboprop, the U-28 has demonstrated short-field/rough-field capabilities.

The difference between the U-28 and its civilian market counterpart is in the equipment installed: the platform houses tactical communications equipment, electro-optical (EO) sensors, protected data links (DoD and NATO type support), Real-time full-motion video processing and survival system. These systems result in special protrusions extending from the fuselage and wings, which are not seen in commercial models.

The U-28 crew consists of four people, including two pilots, a Combat Systems Officer (CSO) and a Tactical Systems Officer (TSO). The crew sat side by side in the cabin in a 2x2 configuration. The dashboard includes a state-of-the-art glass cockpit.

Power is provided by a single nose-mounted Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67B turboprop engine used to drive the four-bladed propeller unit in a traditional "tractor" fashion. This gives the aircraft a top speed of about 220 knots, a range of up to 1,500 nautical miles, and a service ceiling of up to 30,000 feet.

Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) is 11,000 lbs.

The U.S. Air Force has operated as many as 28 U-28A variants, of which 14 are currently (2020) recorded in operation with the branch.

The 34th, 318th, and 319th Special Operations Squadrons are listed as key operators for the type, while the 5th and 19th Special Operations Squadrons are responsible for type training.