Transport Aircraft7:Armada
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Transport Aircraft
New-Tech Military Airlifters New-generation turbine engines with substantially improved thermodynamic and propulsive efficiencies are making possible transport aircraft that combine relatively short airfield performance with economical (and comparatively high-speed) cruise.
Roy Braybrook, inputs from Eric H. Biass
T
he operation to liberate Kuwait in 1991, the occupations of Afghanistan in 2001 and Iraq in 2003, and the Russo-Georgian conflict of 2008 have all highlighted logistic limitations in the major air forces involved. The results have included boosts to international sales of the Lockheed Martin C-130J and the Boeing C17, and a fresh start for the Antonov An-70.
I HERCULES
The C-130 Hercules series has the distinction of having been in continuous production longer than any other military aircraft. The first entered US Air Force
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service in 1957, and 2154 examples of that first generation were built (231 C-130As, 230 Bs, 488 Es and 1205 Hs). Around 1200 are still in service in 72 countries. In 1999 deliveries began of the 70-tonne C-130J Super Hercules with four 3424-kW Rolls-Royce AE2100Ds turning six-blade propellers, and a modernised flight deck and avionics. Orders currently stand at 337 units, including Australia twelve, Canada 17, India twelve, Iraq six, Israel three, Kuwait three, Mexico two, Norway four, Oman three, Qatar four, the UAE twelve and Britain twenty five. In January 2012 the 2400th Hercules was delivered.
In 2012 Lockheed Martin unveiled a proposal for the reduced-cost C-130XJ, aimed at operators needing only a small number of aircraft for tactical transport and special missions duties. Representing a price reduction of approximately 15%, the C130XJ will omit advanced communications and defensive systems, and will use gaseous oxygen and a simpler cargo-handling system. It will also have provisions for a nose-mounted EO/IR sensor, to facilitate use in ISR and SAR missions. I GLOBEMASTER III
In June 2012 the US Air Force placed an order for its 224th and last 265-tonne Boeing C-17. The production line is being kept open until (at least) 2014, largely by orders from other nations: Australia six
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