The Falcon 20 was a Cold War-era twin-engine business jet (bizjet) first-flying in 1963 and introduced for service in June of 1965. Production spanned from 1965 until 1991 to which some 512 total aircraft were realized. The series went on to find many global operators for its time including powerhouse Federal Express, governmental agencies, and small, private air carriers. The Falcon 20, with all its inherent strengths, also managed to interest many military powers of the world with the United States finding the type to be particularly useful in certain special-mission roles.
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) service took on the French-originated Dassault Aviation "Falcon 20" business jet under the HU-25 "Guardian" designation. The aircraft were specifically Falcon 20G production models and a complete batch of forty-one airframes under the "HU-25A" designation were secured, these powered by twin Garrett AIResearch ATF3-6-2C turbofan engines. Then followed the "HU-25B" which were seven examples converted from HU-25A airframes and equipped with Side-Looking Airborne Radar (SLAR) to be used in the Pollution Control data-collecting role. A further nine Hu-25A airframes were then converted for use in the drug interdiction role as "Hu-25C" as these arrived equipped with the APG-66 series search radar as well as WF-360 Forward-Looking InfraRed (FLIR) in a fuselage blister. Upgraded Hu-25C models then evolved to become the "Hu-25C+" and these same nine airframes were given more powerful AN/APG-66(V)2 series radar fits (the same as featured in the F-16 "Fighting Falcon" lightweight multirole fighter) as well as a more modern FLIR arrangement. The final, definitive Guardian entry became the Hu-25D, these aircraft, again, based in the A-model line but carrying the AN/APS-143B(V)3 series 360-degree scanning Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) while retaining the FLIR equipment of the proven C-models. Fifteen D-models were procured.
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None. Mission specific equipment such as radar, sensors, and FLIR fitted.
HU-25 "Guardian" - Base Series Designation; 41 examples acquired by the USCG.
Hu-25A - Initial in-service models based in the Falcon 20G.
Hu-25B - SLAR-equipped model for pollution control sorties; seven modified from A-model stock.
Hu-25C - Maritime drug interception role; fitted with Westinghouse APG-66 radar and WF-360 FLIR; nine examples modified from A-model stock.
Hu-25C+- Improved C-model aircraft; Fitted with AN/APG-66(V)2 radar and upgraded FLIR equipment; nine examples upgraded from existing C-model stock.
Hu-25D - Definitive service form; fitted with AN/APS-143B(V)3 ISAR radar with C-model FLIR equipment; fifteen examples modified from A-model stock.
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