N261UP

This airframe, registered as N261UP, is a freighter variant of the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 built by McDonnell Douglas in 2001 with manufacturer's serial number 48805. The airplane is recorded as owned by UNITED PARCEL SERVICE CO (a corporation based in Louisville, KY, US) and carries a US registration. Operated within the UPS fleet and based out of its Louisville hub, the aircraft serves as part of the carrier’s long‑range dedicated cargo operations. No public valuation or detailed condition report is published for this specific airframe.

The airframe is configured as a main‑deck cargo freighter with lower‑deck bulk and ULD space, supporting palletized and containerized freight on transcontinental and intercontinental rotations. In service with UNITED PARCEL SERVICE CO, the MD-11F variant typically operates long‑haul night and day express routes linking major cargo hubs, using the airplane’s twin‑aisle cargo deck and lower‑hold capacity to maximize payload density. Avionics and mission systems are those standard for MD-11 freighters of this build era, emphasizing reliability for high-cycle cargo operations; maintenance considerations focus on tri‑jet engine upkeep and airframe fatigue monitoring consistent with heavy freighter use. Crew accommodations are minimal with a small flightdeck complement reflected in the seven-seat provision, intended for operational and relief personnel rather than passenger service.

The McDonnell Douglas MD-11F occupies a niche as a long‑range, high‑payload freighter derived from a trijet design, offering heavier cargo capability than many widebody twins of its era but with higher fuel burn and maintenance complexity due to its third engine. Competing freighters include later-generation twinjets optimized for fuel efficiency on similar missions. Market demand for MD-11Fs is focused on niche cargo operators and integrator fleets that value payload and volume; resale and long‑term maintenance considerations hinge on engine shop visits for the GE CF6-80C2D1F powerplants and the airframe’s cycle history.