Northrop Grumman is converting older Guardrail variants as RC-12Xs at its facility at McClelland in Sacramento, California. RC-12X 91-0518 is seen there on May 9. The first to be fully converted was 93-00701, which received the glass cockpit, structural upgrades and Northrop Grumman's Airborne Signals Intelligence Payload, although some have been modified without the ASIP installed for use as trainers. At least six aircraft have been converted from Guardrail Common Sensor System 2s (RC-12Ps 92-13122 and -13123, and RC-12Qs 93-00697, -00699, and -00701). A total of 33 existing Guardrails are due to be upgraded as RC-12Xs and 14 have been funded, with an option for a further 14. The first two were delivered to the 1st Military Intelligence Battalion at Wiesbaden in Germany on January 13.
展开▼