The US Air Force (USAF) will receive its first MC-12W Liberty aircraft early this summer and will initially use seven MC-12W aircraft for mission qualification training.

The MC-12W is a medium-altitude, twin-engine, turboprop aircraft consisting of a sensor operator and a cryptologic operator.

The aircraft has been primarily designed to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support directly to ground forces, supporting the world-wide air force irregular warfare mission.

The air force will base the aircraft in Beale Air Force Base, California, US and will continue to keep the majority of MC-12W aircraft deployed.