[Llarry]

Lady Jane's post with RCAF King Airs reminds me that I posted about U.S. Navy electronic recon aircraft and U.S. Air Force electronic aircraft but there is another service using recon aircraft: The U.S. Army has operated various models of the Beech King Air for many years, calling them Guardrail aircraft. The operators do not sit in the airplane, but the information is data linked back to a ground site where the operators are located.

Check out the photo of the RC-12N aircraft: talk about antennas!

The Army wants to replace the Guardrail system with a new jet-powered aircraft. Speaking as a neutral (Navy) observer, I suspect the USAF is going to pitch a fit over that plan; there is constant tension between the Army and the Air Force and there have been many Army aircraft procurement plans that have foundered on the rocks of Air Force opposition.