The [18.1](1)Pi<--X (1)&USigma;(+) band system of a molecular beam sample of RuC has been recorded field free and in the presence of a static electric field using high resolution laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy. The Stark shifts of the optical features for the (RuC)-Ru-102 isotopomer were analyzed to produce permanent electric dipole moments of 3.31(4) and 4.09(14) D for the [18.1](1)&UPi; and X (1)&USigma;(+) states, respectively. The hyperfine structure associated with spectral features for the (RuC)-Ru-101 and (RuC)-Ru-99 isotopomers was analyzed to produce electric quadrupole and magnetic hyperfine coupling parameters. The hyperfine structure and dipole moments are interpreted using a molecular orbital correlation model and compared with predictions from electronic structure calculations and isovalent iron monocarbide, FeC. (C) 2003 American Institute of Physics.