The U-28A: A Vital Asset in Special Operations

Outside of the mainstream “bread and butter” aircraft in the U.S. Air Force’s inventory are a few unique outliers. These are aircraft that were brought in to fill a particular void that no other aircraft were suited to do. For the most part, these are commercially available off-the-shelf airplane that can be easily drafted into a mission-ready platform. One very notable example (even though it is used by the Army) is the HADES project, by Leidos. It uses a commercially available Bombardier Global 6500 for high-altitude ISR work, slated to replace the ever-reliable but old RC-12 Guardrail.    

The Pilatus PC-12 one of the most popular single-engine turboprops of all time, so adopting it was a natural position for the Air Force if they had a mission to fit it. Well, they did, and the aircraft became the U-28A Draco. 

Origins and Evolution of the U-28A

Here’s a very brief and condensed history of the Draco:

The origins of the PC-12 go back a lot farther than the U-28A specifically, as the PC-12 has been around for a long time. The PC-12 was first introduced back in late 1989 at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) annual convention.

It was designed to fit a market that was both new and was not being serviced by anything currently in production. This has proven to be very true by the sheer volume of competitors to the PC-12 on the market today. 

At the time, the Beechcraft King Air was the top turboprop contender, but having exactly twice as many engines roughly doubled the cost of ownership. The PC-12 could fill a niche role in that it has most of the range of a King Air, along with most of the seating, but a lot less expensive. 

Since turboprops have such an incredible record of safety and reliability, opting for a single engine configuration was not viewed as a serious reduction in safety.

Why The PC-12 Was Chosen For Military Adaptation

The PC-12 was identified as an ideal candidate for military adaptation due to its exceptional performance characteristics. It is a relatively low-cost aircraft that can fill several roles very well. In the case of the U.S. Air Force, the U-28A was selected to fill an ISR roles specifically for Special Operations Forces. The first users of the Draco were at Hurlburt Field in Florida, and the only other operational unit is stationed at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico. 

The aircraft’s inherent capabilities aligned well with the demands of special operations, but it is not limited to SOF.

The decision to adapt the PC-12 for military use was driven by its ability to perform in diverse operational theaters. The U-28A serves as a versatile, manned aircraft delivering crucial tactical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. Its support extends across a spectrum of missions, including:

  1. Humanitarian aid efforts
  2. Search and rescue operations
  3. Conventional military engagements
  4. Specialized covert missions

Transforming The PC-12 Into The U-28A For Special Operations

Most of the work to transform the PC-12 for ISR work in the SOF community is internal. Externally, the U-28A is like any other PC-12, except it is matte gray instead. The aircraft has a crew of four (two pilots, one combat systems officer, one tactical systems sensor operator) and is used specifically for ISR work that other airframes were poorly suited to perform. Some of this is due to scale, some is due to ability to operate at forward locations, and some is just due to the mission profiles. 

Cost also plays a serious part in the equation; a PC-12 is many thousands of dollars less per hour to operate than an RC-135, EC-130/MC-130, or the E-8 JSTARS (if there were overlap between those airframes and the U-28A). 

Key Modifications for Military Use

Again, the modifications done to the U-28A still make it hard to distinguish between a ‘slick’ PC-12. They are mostly modifications made to keep the pilots safe and sound in combat situations. there are several iterations of the PC-12, the U-28A Draco is specifically derived from the PC-12/45, which has an increased maximum takeoff weight compared to the original model, the PC-12/41.

This was a good strategic move since the aircraft would weigh more because of the hardening modifications, and the sensor gear is not light in it’s own right. The U-28A's heart is its robust Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67B engine, which endows the aircraft with remarkable operational flexibility. This powerplant enables:

  1. Superior high-altitude performance
  2. Exceptional short takeoff and landing (STOL) abilities

These capabilities are crucial for missions involving some of the world's most isolated and challenging airfields. The U-28A's adeptness at operating in such demanding environments is a key factor in its selection for missions in hard-to-access regions.

The U-28A’s Role in Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

AFSOC is the Air Force component of the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and the U-28A plays a sometimes misunderstood and underappreciated role in supporting special operations forces, providing critical support for ground forces and special operations missions.

AFSOC is a prolific user of nonstandard fleet aircraft, which are supported by contractor support as are most nonstandard aircraft in the military. AFSOC is the prime user of nonstandard aircraft because these aircraft are usually procured for one specific purpose and nothing else. Other examples are the MC-12W Liberty, the C-146A Wolfhound, and the C-145A Combat Coyote. 

U-28A Crew Training and Operations

Special operations components and military units operate a number of specialized aircraft because their mission profiles and needs are so unique and different from the rest of the operational Air Force. 

Pilatus aircraft are well proven for military missions and disaster relief (the U-28A is used extensively for disaster recovery) and intelligence gathering. SOF relies heavily on intelligence gathering which is why such a big portion of the AFSOC fleet are ISR assets. 

All training is conducted by the 5th and 19th SOS, and there are three operational squadrons spreading 28 aircraft across two bases and three squadrons (the 319th, 34th and 318th Special Operations Squadrons).

Final Thoughts

Rumor has it that the U-28A will be phased out by the Air Tractor AT-802U when it comes into service. The AT-802U has similar sensory capabilities, but it combines the ability for armed overwatch as well, making it a more well-rounded platform that is even better suited for harsh, extreme, and austere conditions. Our prediction is the AT-802U will be a favorite of ground troops everywhere, and a critical asset for Air Force Special Operations and joint operations alike. 

Until then, Greenwood Aerospace will continue to serve as your go-to for Pilatus Aircraft Ltd U-28A sustainment. We combine all of our expertise into providing top-of-the-line aircraft sustainment through parts and logistics support to keep your aircraft safely in the air. To learn more about Greenwood Aerospace and our services, contact our team today!