The Beechcraft C-12 is a military utility aircraft manufactured by Beechcraft, a subsidiary of Textron Aviation. The C-12 was first introduced in 1983 and was based on the Beechcraft Super King Air 200 aircraft. Beechcraft decided to manufacture the C-12 to meet the demand for a multi-mission aircraft for the United States military.

The C-12 is a twin-engine turboprop aircraft with a pressurized cabin and a capacity of up to six passengers. It has a range of approximately 1,500 nautical miles and a maximum speed of 325 knots. The aircraft is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-42 engines and has a service ceiling of 25,000 feet.

The primary mission of the C-12 is to provide personnel and cargo transportation for the U.S. Army, Air Force, and Navy. It is also used for a variety of other missions such as reconnaissance and surveillance, search and rescue, and medical evacuation. The C-12 has been used in numerous conflicts including Operation Desert Storm, Kosovo, and Iraq.

The C-12 has been a very successful aircraft, with over 1,000 produced since its introduction. The majority of these aircraft are operated by the United States military, with only a small number being operated by other countries. Over the years, the C-12 has undergone several upgrades, including the addition of improved avionics, new engines, and an increased service ceiling.

Despite its success, the C-12 has faced some safety issues over the years. In December 2018, one C-12 operated by the U.S. Navy crashed in Arizona, killing all four crew members on board. The crash was attributed to pilot error and mechanical failure. Since then, the U.S. Navy has implemented several safety measures to ensure the safety of its C-12 fleet, including improved maintenance and training programs.

Overall, the Beechcraft C-12 has been a very successful aircraft, with over 1,000 produced and a long history of use by the United States military. It has proven itself to be a reliable and versatile aircraft, capable of performing a variety of tasks. Despite some safety concerns, the C-12 continues to be a popular aircraft for the military and other users.