The Argentine Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Argentina, FAA) has approved the purchase of 10 TC-12B Huron aircraft and related services from U.S.. The amount of this acquisition is around 16.6 millon dollars. The aircrafts will be delivered in 2024. Once the aircrafts have been placed in flight condition by the technical personnel of the 309th AMARG, they will be sent to a maintenance center where they will be reconditioned to adapt them to the requirements of the Argentine Air Force, mainly with regard to compliance with the Military Airworthiness Directives.
The Beechcraft C-12 Huron is the military designation for a series of twin-engine turboprop aircraft based on the Beechcraft Super King Air and Beechcraft 1900. C-12 variants are used by the United States Air Force, United States Army, United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. These aircraft are used for various duties, including embassy support, medical evacuation, as well as passenger and light cargo transport.
The C-12 Huron features a cargo door with a built-in airstair to provide easy access for entry and exit for both passengers and cargo. The modified flight deck and cabin is used for high-altitude flights. The aircraft’s cabin can be readily assembled to cater to passengers, cargo or both. The multi-functional displays (MFDs) are replaced with current navigation equipment as part of a modernisation programme. The MFDs also show the required navigation information to the pilot. The aircraft comprises a two-seat cockpit.
The TC-12B Huron was a twin-engine, pressurized version of the Beechcraft Super King Air 200. 25 served with the US Navy with training Squadron 35 (VT-35), the US Navy’s only TC-12B Huron squadron based at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas, home of the Training Air Wing 4 (TAW-4). Around 14 UC-12B aircraft were converted to TC-12B. The US Navy retired this aircraft on 16 May 2017 and replaced and now relies on the T-44C for multi engine training. The de-icing and anti-icing systems installed in the aircraft allow flight operations under instrument and icing conditions.
