History
The MC-145B was developed from the PZL-Mielec M28 Skytruck which first flew in 1993 for the Polish armed forces as a transport and maritime reconnaissance aircraft. In early 2020 the U.S Special Operations Command launched the Armed Overwatch Program to procure around 75 fixed-wing aircraft that could perform in close air support and ISR missions with precision stand-off capabilities to replace the aging U-28A Draco fleet in use by SOCOM. There were a number of competitors for the program, those being the:
- Beechcraft’s AT-6E Wolverine
- Air Tractor-L3Harris AT-802U Sky Warden
- Leidos-Vertex Aerospace Bronco II
- MAG Aerospace MC-208 Guardian
- SNC-Embraer A-29
- SNC-PZL Mielec MC-145B Coyote
The prototype MC-145B, tail number N590QP, first flew in July 2021 at Eglin AFB in Florida. On the 26th of October the same year the MC-145B was officially unveiled at an event at Warsaw-Babice Airport in Poland where the prototype would be seen carrying a varied armament of AGM-114 Hellfire, AGM-179 JAGM, AGR-20 APKWS, and Hydra rocket pods under the wings on 4 hardpoints along with 8 Common Launch tubes mounted to launch munitions from the bottom of the aircraft. Plans were also in-place for provisions to launch larger munitions from the cargo ramp in the rear which could accommodate AGM-158 JASSM or ADM-160 MALD.
On the 1st of August 2022 the MC-145B would lose the competition with the U.S SOCOM deciding to go forward with the Air Tractor-L3Harris AT-802U Sky Warden for the program. The prototype aircraft, tail number N590QP, is still owned by Sierra Nevada Corporation and is frequently seen being flown at Denver Centennial Airport in Colorado and at several testing sites for various flight tests.
Specifications
Performance:
- Top Speed - 258mph (415kph)
- Cruise Speed - 205mph (330kph)
- Rate of Climb - 2,420 ft/min (738 m/min)
- Service Ceiling - 25,000ft (7,620m)
- Operational Range - 1,162 miles (1,870km)
Size:
- Length - 43ft (13.11m)
- Width - 72.3ft (22.04m)
- Height - 16.1ft (4.91m)
Weight:
- Empty Weight - 9,921lb (4,500kg)
- Max Take-off Weight - 16,535lb (7,500kg)
Powerplant:
- 2 x Pratt & Whitney PT6A-54B Turboprop Engines - 1,100hp each
Armament
-
External
- AGM-114 Hellfire
- AGM-179 JAGM
- AGR-20 APKWS
- Hydra Rockets
- GBU-39
-
Internal
- GBU-69/B SGM
- AGM-176 Griffin
- ADM-160 MALD
- AGM-158 JASSM
- Coyote UAS
- DARPA Gremlin
-
Avionics
- External NSP-7 Radar Pod
- MX-15D
- MX-20D
- AN/AAR-47 MAWS
- AN/ALE-47 CM Dispenser
Pictures
Cockpit of the MC-145B.
Common Launch Tubes located in the rear of the cabin.
Some of the external armament possible.
A rendering of AGM-158 JASSM and how it would be fitted within the cabin.
MC-145B prototype N590QP seen at Denver Centennial Airport in 2025.
- Yes
- No
Sources
The Military Factory - MC-145B
Jet Photos
Key Aero - M28 Soma Unveiled
SNCorp - Shaping the Future of Special Operations Air Power: SNC MC-145B Coyote’s Powerful Capabilities Take to the Sky
Airliners.Net
Shepard Media - Modified Wily Coyote entices no-US users
Defence Blog - Lockheed Martin showcases new attack aircraft designed to support US special operations forces
Wikipedia - PZL M28 Skytruck
Wikipedia - Armed Overwatch Program
Air Force Technology - MC-145B Coyote Aircraft, United States America
The War Zone - MC-145B Wily Coyote Special Ops Planes Will Be Able To Launch Stealth Cruise Missiles
The War Zone - Meet The MC-145B Wily Coyote Armed Special Ops Transport Plane
Defence Blog - U.S. Special Forces evaluates strike capabilities of Coyote aircraft
Global Security - MC-145B Wily Coyote
Konflikty.PL - MC-145 Coyote – Polish Skytruck for the American Special Operations Command
