Strange aircraft

[Jetex61]

Hi all
Took this picture yesterday as the aircraft was approaching City of Derry Airport. It stayed for a couple of hours and left in the direction of Belfast. I assume it's G8 connected, a US Government type, can anybody shed any light on it?
David


What is this?? by Jetex61, on Flickr

[smudge]

Hi all
Took this picture yesterday as the aircraft was approaching City of Derry Airport. It stayed for a couple of hours and left in the direction of Belfast. I assume it's G8 connected, a US Government type, can anybody shed any light on it?

Cracking shot David!  Yes, it's a Pilatus PC-12, designated U-28 in USAF service.  In from and out to Mildenhall I think ( one of the guys will correct me if wrong ).

They wear that pseudo-civilian scheme but the truncated mil serial gives it away.

http://www.airframes.org/reg/n779pc

G8 related indeed.

[smudge]

I hadn't noticed that dorsal antenna before; I don't think it's GPS rx ( they tend to be flush-mounted ) to perhaps it's SATCOM tx / rx.

[Jetex61]

Thanks Smudge for the info, I would like to have seen who got off it! It is from 319th SOS, detachment at Stuttgart.
David