Fairchild C-26 Metroliner

The Fairchild C-26 Metroliner is the designation for the Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner series twin turboprop aircraft in the service of the United States military. It was not officially named by the US Armed Forces, but is unofficially known by the same name as its civilian counterpart. The C-26A is the military version of the Model SA227-AC Metro III; the C-26B is the military version of the Model SA227-BC Metro III and Model SA227-DC Metro 23; and UC-26C is the military designation for the Model SA227-AT Merlin IVC.

Variants

 * C-26A: Military version of the Metro III (Model SA227-AC).
 * C-26B: Military version of the Metro III (Model SA227-BC) and Metro 23 (Model SA227-DC).
 * RC-26B: C-26B modified with electronic surveillance equipment for drug interdiction missions (the USAF operates 11 within the Air National Guard)
 * UC-26C: Was a used 1983-built Merlin IVC operated for several years as 89-1471. Modified with an integrated sensor package including forward-looking infrared and high resolution radar.
 * C-26D: C-26Bs transferred from USAF inventory and modified with new navigation equipment for the US Navy, four used for rapid response cargo and passenger transportation in Europe.
 * EC-26D: One range support aircraft operated by the US Navy's Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands.
 * RC-26D: Two range support aircraft operated by the US Navy's Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands with installed radar units.
 * C-26E: Upgrade of 11 C-26B aircraft including an improved Rockwell Collins Proline 21 Electronic Flight Instrument System.

Users

 * Barbados
 * Barbados Air Wing - Regional Security System
 * Barbados Coast Guard
 * Colombia
 * Colombian Air Force
 * Colombian National Police
 * Mexico
 * Mexican Air Force
 * Peru
 * Peruvian Air Force
 * Trinidad and Tobago
 * Trinidad and Tobago Air Guard
 * United States
 * United States Air Force
 * United States Army
 * United States Navy
 * Venezuela
 * Venezuelan Air Force

Related Development

 * Swearingen Merlin
 * Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner

Comparable Aircraft

 * Beechcraft 1900
 * Beechcraft C-12 Huron
 * Beechcraft RC-12 Guardrail
 * Saab 340
 * Saab 2000