The Northrop YC-125 was a military version of the Northrop N-23 "Pioneer". The YC-125 was designed to operate from rough, short airfields
and to be easily maintained. Thirteen YC-125A's were ordered in 1948 to test the aircraft's ability to haul troops and cargo.
Ten additional aircraft were ordered, slightly modified as YC-125B's, to test their capabilities in the Arctic rescue role.
The first flight of the YC-125A occurred on August 1, 1949, and deliveries to the Air Force began in 1950.
The tests found the aircraft to be significantly underpowered for the intended missions. They were declared surplus in 1955.