N278UP

This entry covers the specific airframe registered as N278UP, a freighter variant of the McDonnell Douglas MD-11F built in 1995 with manufacturer serial number 48577. The airframe is owned by UNITED PARCEL SERVICE CO, a corporation listed at Louisville, KY, US, and carries a US registration. Not published information includes any additional historical registry actions or valuation and condition summaries beyond the current ownership record.

The subject freighter is configured in the MD-11F layout with a main-deck cargo pallet arrangement and lower deck LD3 positions for additional cargo, reflecting its role as a dedicated freighter. With only 3 cockpit seats and the MD-11F freighter pallet plan, typical operations emphasize high-volume, long-range cargo missions rather than passenger service. Based on the listed owner and location, routine basing and operational management are conducted from Louisville, KY, US, consistent with centralized network cargo operations. Maintenance considerations for this airframe derive from its tri-jet architecture and PW4460 powerplants, which demand operator-specific logistics for parts and engine shop visits; Not published are any airframe-specific avionics fit or unique amenity modifications beyond the freighter configuration.

The McDonnell Douglas MD-11F occupies a niche as a long-range, high-capacity widebody freighter able to operate transcontinental and intercontinental routes within its 3,945 nm range and 473 kts cruise profile. Its three-engine design and PW4460 engines provide substantial thrust ratings (60,000 lbf each) suited to heavy cargo loads and high-altitude cruise up to 43,000 ft. Competing types in the large freighter market include twin-engine widebodies and converted passenger-to-freighter platforms; buyers and operators often weigh MD-11F economics against maintenance intensity of tri-jet systems and the availability of lower-hour airframes for secondary-market resale or continued heavy-use cargo operations.