C-145A Combat Coyote Mission The C-145A’s primary role is to enable CAA special air mobility Airmen to conduct U.S. Special Operations Command’s Aviation Foreign Internal Defense and Aviation Security Cooperation missions. AFSOC’s CAAs are tasked to assess, train, advise and assist foreign aviation forces in airpower employment, sustainment and force integration. Features The C-145A is a twin-engine, high-wing aircraft with twin vertical fins and a non-retractable tricycle landing gear capable of short takeoff and landings to unprepared runways. The C-145A is reconfigurable to support both air, land and airdrop of cargo (max 2,400 pounds) and personnel, casualty evacuation, combat search and rescue, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. The C-145A can carry a maximum of 16 passengers or 10 combat rigged paratroopers. Maximum cargo weight is 5,000 pounds, or up to four litter patients. Missions can be conducted to prepared and semi-prepared airfields. Background The C-145A aircraft was originally procured in 2009 to conduct non-standard aviation special air mobility missions. In 2010, AFSOC selected the C-145A to be operated primarily by CAAs. 210529-F-NS874-1077 U.S Air Force Airmen with the 711th Special Operations Squadron prepare a C-145A Combat Coyote for takeoff at the Opa-Laka Executive Airport in Miami, Florida, May 29, 2021. The C-145A is reconfigurable to support both airland and airdrop of cargo and personnel, casualty evacuation, combat search and rescue, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Blake Wiles) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res 210401-F-XG228-440 Several C-145A aircraft are parked on the flightline at Duke Field, Florida, April 1, 2021 prior to being flown for local training missions. The C-145A is equipped to support the transport of 2,400 pounds of cargo and personnel, casualty evacuation, combat search and rescue, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dylan Gentile) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res 130410-F-RS318-220 A 6th Special Operations Squadron C-145A aircraft lands on Camp James E. Rudder, April 10, 2013. The aircraft transported service members from various branches of the U.S. military to a safe altitude where they performed the first free fall exercise from a C-145A aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. John Bainter) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res General Characteristics Primary Function: Light Special Air Mobility Builder: PZL Mielec Power Plant: Two Pratt and Whitney PT6A-65B Turboprops Thrust: Takeoff power 1,100 shaft horsepower Wingspan: 72 feet 4 inches Length: 43 feet Height: 16 feet 1 inch Max Cruise Speed: 223 knots Max Range: 1,010 nautical miles Service Ceiling: 25,000 feet (with supplemental oxygen equipment) Maximum Takeoff Weight: 16,534 lbs. (7,500 kgs) Crew: 3 (2 pilots, 1 loadmaster) Unit Cost: Approx. $14M per aircraft Inventory: Active duty, 5; Reserve/ANG, 0 (Current as of March 2021)