US Air Force retires RC-26 reconnaissance aircraft
The US Air Force has decided to retire all 11 of its RC-25Bs nationwide. (Photo: USAF)
The US Air Force is retiring its fleet of RC-26Bs nationwide that provided law enforcement with observation support in counter-narcotics, counterinsurgency and homeland security missions.
The USAF’s 115th Fighter Wing in Madison, Wisconsin, retired its RC-26B reconnaissance aircraft after its final mission at the end of 2022, the USAF said in early January.
The withdrawal of the platform was a part of the USAF’s decision to retire all 11 of its RC-26Bs nationwide. It was a cost-saving measure, replacing the piloted reconnaissance assets with UAS.
The USAF has argued that there will be no capability gap, but that remains to be seen.
Pilots at the 115th Fighter Wing and military information support operators were flying the RC-26 to support both state and federal counter-narcotics, counterinsurgency and homeland security missions.
The USAF said the RC-26 has been an integral part of the Air National Guard’s Counterdrug Program.
In its domestic operations role, the RC-26 and its crews have provided law enforcement with observation support, including identifying and tracking suspects.
It has also provided covert support, which assists law enforcement agencies in gathering evidence that can ultimately lead to takedowns of drug trafficking organisations.
While most of the focus of the aircraft’s mission has been on supporting law enforcement, RC-26 pilots also assisted other agencies during natural disasters, including Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Maria.
More from Air Warfare
-
![Hanwha Aerospace and GA-ASI join forces to co-develop UAVs]()
Hanwha Aerospace and GA-ASI join forces to co-develop UAVs
The $510 million partnership will see Hanwha invest to co-develop and manufacture the Gray Eagle STOL, with a maiden flight test expected by 2027.
-
![Sweden commits to acquire four C-390 Millennium aircraft]()
Sweden commits to acquire four C-390 Millennium aircraft
The acquisition of four C-390 aircraft follows the country’s signing of an MoU in 2023 and formal selection in 2024. It will join the existing contract held by the Netherlands and Austria.
-
![Airbus to fly new CUAS UAV prototype this year]()
Airbus to fly new CUAS UAV prototype this year
The counter-UAS prototype, named Low-cost Air Defence or ‘LOAD’, will be used to combat kamikaze UAS.
