C17-A Globemaster
The C-17 gives the RAF a longrange strategic heavy-lift transport aircraft that offers the ability to project and sustain an effective force close to a potential area of operations for combat, peacekeeping or humanitarian missions worldwide.
Specifications
Engines: Four P&W F117- PW-100 turbofans
Thrust: 40,400lbs each
Max speed: 550kts
Length: 53m
Max altitude: 45,000ft
Span: 52m
Aircrew: 3
The C-17 Globemaster III is the latest addition to the RAF’s inventory of transport aircraft. It is capable of rapid, strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases anywhere in the world, or directly to more temporary forward operating bases owing to its short field capability. The design of the aircraft allows it to carry out high-angle, steep approaches at relatively slow speeds, thus allowing it to operate into small, austere airfields onto runways as short as 3,500 feet long and only 90 feet wide. The aircraft can operate into and out of problematic sites such as those surrounded by inhospitable terrain or made difficult by adverse weather conditions. The fully-integrated, electronic flight-deck and the advanced cargo-handling systems allow a basic crew of only two pilots and one air loadmaster to operate the aircraft. On the ground, the aircraft can be turned in a very small radius and its four Pratt & Whitney engines are fully reversible, giving it the ability to manoeuvre into and out of restricted parking or freight-offload areas at undeveloped strips. This enables the C-17 to deliver cargo to small airfields with limited parking space in a shorter time, so increasing throughput where time on the ground is kept to a minimum. The C-17 can transport 45,360kgs of freight over 4,500 nautical miles whilst flying at heights in excess of 30,000 feet.Cargo is loaded on to the C-17 through a large rear door that can accommodate military vehicles and palletised cargo. It can carry almost all of the Army’s air-transportable, outsized combat equipment, from three Warrior armoured vehicles or 13 Land Rovers, to a Chinook helicopter or three Apache-sized helicopters. It carries all its own role-equipment and can fit centre-line seating, which increases the seating capacity from 54 side-wall seats to 102 seats. The aircraft can also be configured in the aeromedical evacuation role to carry a full stretcher fit. The C-17 needs little or no ground support equipment and if none is available it can perform a combat off-load where pallets are dropped from the aircraft ramp on to the taxiway or hardstanding.The C-17 gives the RAF a longrange strategic heavy-lift transport aircraft that offers the ability to project and sustain an effective force close to a potential area of operations for combat, peacekeeping or humanitarian missions worldwide. The aircraft is a declared part of the UK’s Joint Rapid Reaction Force and the RAF is currently the only European force which can offer ‘outsize airlift’ assets from within its own inventory. In 2004 the MoD announced the intention to buy the current fleet of four aircraft at the conclusion of the current lease arrangement in 2008 and to purchase one additional aircraft; bringing our C-17 fleet up to five.
Hercules C1/C3
Roles: The workhorse of the RAF’s Air Transport (AT) fleet used primarily to carry troops, passengers or freight.
Specifications
Engines: Four Allison T56-A-15 turboprops
Thrust: 4,200shp each
Max speed: 310kts
Length: 29.77m
Max altitude: 32,000ft
Span: 40.38m
Aircrew: 6
The C-130 Hercules tactical transport aircraft is the workhorse of the RAF’s Air Transport (AT) fleet and is based at RAF Lyneham, in Wiltshire, where it is operated by Nos 24, 30, 47 and 70 Squadrons. The fleet totals 50 aircraft and is a mixture of C1/C3 aircraft and the new C-130J aircraft, designated C4/C5.The C1 and C3 aircraft are used primarily to carry troops, passengers or freight and are capable of carrying up to 128 passengers, or 20 tonnes of palletised freight or vehicles, for up to 2000nmls. The freight bay can accommodate a range of wheeled or tracked vehicles, or up to seven pallets of general freight. In the aeromedical evacuation role either 64 or 82 stretchers can be carried, depending on the mark of aircraft and the stretcher configuration. The maximum unrefuelled ferry range is 3500nmls, which can be extended to over 4000nmls by air-to-air refuelling. The other main role of the C-130 is Transport Support (TS), which is the airborne delivery of personnel or stores by airdrop. In this role the aircraft supports airborne operations conducted by 16 Air Assault Brigade by the aerial delivery of paratroops, stores and equipment. The aircraft is particularly valuable in its TS role as it can be operated from unprepared and semi-prepared surfaces by day or by night.The majority of aircraft are fitted with defensive infrared countermeasure equipment, whilst some aircraft used for special tasks have an additional, enhanced defensive-aids suite comprising a Skyguardian radarwarning receiver, a chaff and flare countermeasure dispensing system and a missile approach warning system. The C3 is also equipped with station-keeping equipment, which enables the aircraft to maintain its airborne position in a large formation in thick cloud or bad weather where the other formation members cannot be seen. The aircraft are receiving an ongoing avionics, electrical and structural upgrade, which will enable them to remain the workhorse of the AT fleet into the next decade.
Hercules C4/C5
Roles: Used for operational missions involving parachute ops and air despatch.
Specifications
Engines: Four Allison AE 2100D3 turboprops
Thrust: 4700shp each
Max speed: 340kts
Length: 34.34m
Max altitude: 32,000ft
Span: 40.38m
Aircrew: 3
The RAF has a total of 25 C-130J C4/C5 aircraft. The C4 is almost the same size as the current C3 aircraft, but with a slightly shorter fuselage, while the C5 is the same size as the C1. The C-130J has been modified and upgraded to include new Allison AE turboprop engines and Dowty Aerospace six-bladed composite propellers. The new engines and advanced propellers, coupled with a new digital engine-control system, give the C-130J increased take-off thrust and better fuel efficiency; thus the external fuel tanks have been omitted. The aircraft also has a revised flight deck with modern glass-cockpit and head-up displays, allowing two-pilot, flight deck operation. The cockpit of the aircraft is fully night-vision compatible with the use of night-vision goggles. A separate air loadmaster station has been established in the cargo hold. The aircraft has been cleared for wider use in the tactical TS role and is used for operational missions involving parachute ops and air despatch.The defensive-aids suite includes a missile warning system linked to the directional, infrared countermeasure system, a radar warning receiver and a chaff and flare dispensing system. The defensive system helps protect the aircraft against surface-to-air and air-to-air infrared seeking weapons that may be encountered during operations.
Tristar
Roles: A total fuel load of 139,700kgs can be carried, which can be used by the aircraft itself, or given away to receivers.
Specifications
Engines: Three RR RB211-524B turbofans
Thrust: 50,000lbs each
Max speed: 520kts
Length: 50.04m
Max altitude: 43,000ft
Span: 50.09mAircrew: 4-9
The RAF has a mixed fleet of nine hose-and-drogue extended Lockheed L-1011 TriStar aircraft, which are operated by No 216 Squadron, based at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, in the air transport (AT) and air-to-air refuelling (AAR) roles. The aircraft, which previously saw airline service when they were owned by British Airways and Pan Am, were purchased by the RAF in the early 1980s. The six ex-British Airways aircraft were modified by Marshall of Cambridge (Engineering) into AAR tanker aircraft, with a twin, centreline hose-and-drogue configuration. Four aircraft were designated KC1, while two were designated K1. The installation included the addition of under-floor fuel tanks which increased the available fuel load by 43,900kgs. This allows a total fuel load of 139,700kgs to be carried, which can be used by the aircraft itself, or given away to receivers. AAR operations can be monitored by a CCTV system, which was added under the rear of the fuselage.Although the aircraft has two hosedrum refuelling units, only one can be used at a time, thus restricting AAR to single-point refuelling. On a typical AAR flight from the UK to Cyprus, or Gander (Canada), the KC1 can refuel up to four fast-jet aircraft and simultaneously carry up to 31 tonnes of passengers and/or freight. The addition of a large, fuselage freight-door and a roller-conveyor system allow outsized palletised cargo to be carried. Although the K1 model does not have the freight door, it retains a passenger- seat fit of 187 in the rear cabin, with baggage carried in the forward cabin.The three ex-Pan Am aircraft are largely unchanged from their airline days and operate in the passenger role, carrying up to 266 passengers. These aircraft are designated C2 and C2A and are used extensively for transporting troops to world-wide destinations in support of exercises and operations. All versions of the TriStar aircraft can operate in the aeromedical evacuation role, including the option of installing a full stretcher fit if required for the repatriation of casualties.All RAF TriStars have a comprehensive avionics suite, which is undergoing modernisation. As part of this programme the aircraft are being fitted with equipment which will enable them to operate as a JTIDS (Joint Tactical Information Distribution System) station and a radio relay station in areas of intensive military operations.
VC10
Roles: Enables the rapid deployment of troops and their weaponry, and fast-jet fighter aircraft, to any theatre of operations around the world.
Specifications
Engines: Four RR Conway turbofans
Thrust: 20,000lbs each
Max speed: 530kts
Length: 48.36m
Max altitude: 43,000ft
Span: 44.55m
Aircrew: 4
The VC10 C1K is a dual-role AT and AAR aircraft. In the AT role, the aircraft is used for troop carrying, with accommodation for 124 passengers and nine crew. Use of a large, cabin-freight door on the forward left side of the aircraft allows easy conversion of the aircraft into a dual-role passenger/freight or full-freight configuration. In its full-freight role, the cabin can hold up to 20,400kgs of palletised freight, ground equipment or vehicles, on its permanently strengthened floor. The aircraft can also be used for aero-medical evacuation, for which up to 68 stretchers may be fitted.The C1Ks were converted to the AAR role in 1993 with the fitting of a Mk32 refuelling pod under the outboard section of each wing. The aircraft can carry up to 69,800kgs of fuel using its original eight fuel tanks; the fuel can be used to feed the aircraft itself or be dispensed to receiver aircraft that are equipped with a probeand- drogue refuelling system. Capable of refuelling two aircraft simultaneously from the two underwing pods, the VC10 C1K can itself be refuelled from a suitably equipped VC10K or TriStar AAR aircraft by the use of an air-to-air refuelling probe, which is permanently attached to the aircraft nose. The aircraft is equipped with a modern flight-management system and the avionics required for full worldwide operations. The crew comprises two pilots, a weapon systems officer, a flight engineer, an air loadmaster and up to three air stewards.The bulk of the RAF’s single-role AAR fleet comprises VC10s of two different variants, the K3 and K4. Each aircraft is a three-point tanker, with fuel being dispensed from the two wing-hoses or from the single fuselage-mounted Hose Drum Unit (HDU). The wing hoses can transfer fuel at up to 1000kgs per minute and are used to refuel tactical fast-jet aircraft. The HDU can transfer fuel up to 2000kgs per minute and is usually used to refuel ‘heavy’ strategic aircraft, although it can also be used by fast-jet aircraft.Each tanker variant of VC10 carries a different fuel load. The K3 is equipped with fuselage fuel tanks, mounted in the passenger compartment, and can carry up to 78 tonnes of fuel. These internal tanks are not fitted to the K4, which has a maximum fuel load of 68 tonnes. For self defence, the aircraft’s only countermeasures are its recent change to a low infrared paint scheme (grey), a radar-warning receiver and a Matador IRCM (Infrared Counter Measures) missile-protection system, which comprises two infrared jammers mounted under the engines at the rear of the aircraft. The aircraft also has a very limited passenger-carrying capacity used almost exclusively to carry ground crew and other operational support personnel.The VC10 is now reaching the end of its service life, but continual modifications maintain the aircraft as a significant asset, enabling the rapid deployment of troops and their weaponry, and fast-jet fighter aircraft, to any theatre of operations around the world.
Specifications
Engines: Four P&W F117- PW-100 turbofans
Thrust: 40,400lbs each
Max speed: 550kts
Length: 53m
Max altitude: 45,000ft
Span: 52m
Aircrew: 3
The C-17 Globemaster III is the latest addition to the RAF’s inventory of transport aircraft. It is capable of rapid, strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases anywhere in the world, or directly to more temporary forward operating bases owing to its short field capability. The design of the aircraft allows it to carry out high-angle, steep approaches at relatively slow speeds, thus allowing it to operate into small, austere airfields onto runways as short as 3,500 feet long and only 90 feet wide. The aircraft can operate into and out of problematic sites such as those surrounded by inhospitable terrain or made difficult by adverse weather conditions. The fully-integrated, electronic flight-deck and the advanced cargo-handling systems allow a basic crew of only two pilots and one air loadmaster to operate the aircraft. On the ground, the aircraft can be turned in a very small radius and its four Pratt & Whitney engines are fully reversible, giving it the ability to manoeuvre into and out of restricted parking or freight-offload areas at undeveloped strips. This enables the C-17 to deliver cargo to small airfields with limited parking space in a shorter time, so increasing throughput where time on the ground is kept to a minimum. The C-17 can transport 45,360kgs of freight over 4,500 nautical miles whilst flying at heights in excess of 30,000 feet.Cargo is loaded on to the C-17 through a large rear door that can accommodate military vehicles and palletised cargo. It can carry almost all of the Army’s air-transportable, outsized combat equipment, from three Warrior armoured vehicles or 13 Land Rovers, to a Chinook helicopter or three Apache-sized helicopters. It carries all its own role-equipment and can fit centre-line seating, which increases the seating capacity from 54 side-wall seats to 102 seats. The aircraft can also be configured in the aeromedical evacuation role to carry a full stretcher fit. The C-17 needs little or no ground support equipment and if none is available it can perform a combat off-load where pallets are dropped from the aircraft ramp on to the taxiway or hardstanding.The C-17 gives the RAF a longrange strategic heavy-lift transport aircraft that offers the ability to project and sustain an effective force close to a potential area of operations for combat, peacekeeping or humanitarian missions worldwide. The aircraft is a declared part of the UK’s Joint Rapid Reaction Force and the RAF is currently the only European force which can offer ‘outsize airlift’ assets from within its own inventory. In 2004 the MoD announced the intention to buy the current fleet of four aircraft at the conclusion of the current lease arrangement in 2008 and to purchase one additional aircraft; bringing our C-17 fleet up to five.
Hercules C1/C3
Roles: The workhorse of the RAF’s Air Transport (AT) fleet used primarily to carry troops, passengers or freight.
Specifications
Engines: Four Allison T56-A-15 turboprops
Thrust: 4,200shp each
Max speed: 310kts
Length: 29.77m
Max altitude: 32,000ft
Span: 40.38m
Aircrew: 6
The C-130 Hercules tactical transport aircraft is the workhorse of the RAF’s Air Transport (AT) fleet and is based at RAF Lyneham, in Wiltshire, where it is operated by Nos 24, 30, 47 and 70 Squadrons. The fleet totals 50 aircraft and is a mixture of C1/C3 aircraft and the new C-130J aircraft, designated C4/C5.The C1 and C3 aircraft are used primarily to carry troops, passengers or freight and are capable of carrying up to 128 passengers, or 20 tonnes of palletised freight or vehicles, for up to 2000nmls. The freight bay can accommodate a range of wheeled or tracked vehicles, or up to seven pallets of general freight. In the aeromedical evacuation role either 64 or 82 stretchers can be carried, depending on the mark of aircraft and the stretcher configuration. The maximum unrefuelled ferry range is 3500nmls, which can be extended to over 4000nmls by air-to-air refuelling. The other main role of the C-130 is Transport Support (TS), which is the airborne delivery of personnel or stores by airdrop. In this role the aircraft supports airborne operations conducted by 16 Air Assault Brigade by the aerial delivery of paratroops, stores and equipment. The aircraft is particularly valuable in its TS role as it can be operated from unprepared and semi-prepared surfaces by day or by night.The majority of aircraft are fitted with defensive infrared countermeasure equipment, whilst some aircraft used for special tasks have an additional, enhanced defensive-aids suite comprising a Skyguardian radarwarning receiver, a chaff and flare countermeasure dispensing system and a missile approach warning system. The C3 is also equipped with station-keeping equipment, which enables the aircraft to maintain its airborne position in a large formation in thick cloud or bad weather where the other formation members cannot be seen. The aircraft are receiving an ongoing avionics, electrical and structural upgrade, which will enable them to remain the workhorse of the AT fleet into the next decade.
Hercules C4/C5
Roles: Used for operational missions involving parachute ops and air despatch.
Specifications
Engines: Four Allison AE 2100D3 turboprops
Thrust: 4700shp each
Max speed: 340kts
Length: 34.34m
Max altitude: 32,000ft
Span: 40.38m
Aircrew: 3
The RAF has a total of 25 C-130J C4/C5 aircraft. The C4 is almost the same size as the current C3 aircraft, but with a slightly shorter fuselage, while the C5 is the same size as the C1. The C-130J has been modified and upgraded to include new Allison AE turboprop engines and Dowty Aerospace six-bladed composite propellers. The new engines and advanced propellers, coupled with a new digital engine-control system, give the C-130J increased take-off thrust and better fuel efficiency; thus the external fuel tanks have been omitted. The aircraft also has a revised flight deck with modern glass-cockpit and head-up displays, allowing two-pilot, flight deck operation. The cockpit of the aircraft is fully night-vision compatible with the use of night-vision goggles. A separate air loadmaster station has been established in the cargo hold. The aircraft has been cleared for wider use in the tactical TS role and is used for operational missions involving parachute ops and air despatch.The defensive-aids suite includes a missile warning system linked to the directional, infrared countermeasure system, a radar warning receiver and a chaff and flare dispensing system. The defensive system helps protect the aircraft against surface-to-air and air-to-air infrared seeking weapons that may be encountered during operations.
Tristar
Roles: A total fuel load of 139,700kgs can be carried, which can be used by the aircraft itself, or given away to receivers.
Specifications
Engines: Three RR RB211-524B turbofans
Thrust: 50,000lbs each
Max speed: 520kts
Length: 50.04m
Max altitude: 43,000ft
Span: 50.09mAircrew: 4-9
The RAF has a mixed fleet of nine hose-and-drogue extended Lockheed L-1011 TriStar aircraft, which are operated by No 216 Squadron, based at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, in the air transport (AT) and air-to-air refuelling (AAR) roles. The aircraft, which previously saw airline service when they were owned by British Airways and Pan Am, were purchased by the RAF in the early 1980s. The six ex-British Airways aircraft were modified by Marshall of Cambridge (Engineering) into AAR tanker aircraft, with a twin, centreline hose-and-drogue configuration. Four aircraft were designated KC1, while two were designated K1. The installation included the addition of under-floor fuel tanks which increased the available fuel load by 43,900kgs. This allows a total fuel load of 139,700kgs to be carried, which can be used by the aircraft itself, or given away to receivers. AAR operations can be monitored by a CCTV system, which was added under the rear of the fuselage.Although the aircraft has two hosedrum refuelling units, only one can be used at a time, thus restricting AAR to single-point refuelling. On a typical AAR flight from the UK to Cyprus, or Gander (Canada), the KC1 can refuel up to four fast-jet aircraft and simultaneously carry up to 31 tonnes of passengers and/or freight. The addition of a large, fuselage freight-door and a roller-conveyor system allow outsized palletised cargo to be carried. Although the K1 model does not have the freight door, it retains a passenger- seat fit of 187 in the rear cabin, with baggage carried in the forward cabin.The three ex-Pan Am aircraft are largely unchanged from their airline days and operate in the passenger role, carrying up to 266 passengers. These aircraft are designated C2 and C2A and are used extensively for transporting troops to world-wide destinations in support of exercises and operations. All versions of the TriStar aircraft can operate in the aeromedical evacuation role, including the option of installing a full stretcher fit if required for the repatriation of casualties.All RAF TriStars have a comprehensive avionics suite, which is undergoing modernisation. As part of this programme the aircraft are being fitted with equipment which will enable them to operate as a JTIDS (Joint Tactical Information Distribution System) station and a radio relay station in areas of intensive military operations.
VC10
Roles: Enables the rapid deployment of troops and their weaponry, and fast-jet fighter aircraft, to any theatre of operations around the world.
Specifications
Engines: Four RR Conway turbofans
Thrust: 20,000lbs each
Max speed: 530kts
Length: 48.36m
Max altitude: 43,000ft
Span: 44.55m
Aircrew: 4
The VC10 C1K is a dual-role AT and AAR aircraft. In the AT role, the aircraft is used for troop carrying, with accommodation for 124 passengers and nine crew. Use of a large, cabin-freight door on the forward left side of the aircraft allows easy conversion of the aircraft into a dual-role passenger/freight or full-freight configuration. In its full-freight role, the cabin can hold up to 20,400kgs of palletised freight, ground equipment or vehicles, on its permanently strengthened floor. The aircraft can also be used for aero-medical evacuation, for which up to 68 stretchers may be fitted.The C1Ks were converted to the AAR role in 1993 with the fitting of a Mk32 refuelling pod under the outboard section of each wing. The aircraft can carry up to 69,800kgs of fuel using its original eight fuel tanks; the fuel can be used to feed the aircraft itself or be dispensed to receiver aircraft that are equipped with a probeand- drogue refuelling system. Capable of refuelling two aircraft simultaneously from the two underwing pods, the VC10 C1K can itself be refuelled from a suitably equipped VC10K or TriStar AAR aircraft by the use of an air-to-air refuelling probe, which is permanently attached to the aircraft nose. The aircraft is equipped with a modern flight-management system and the avionics required for full worldwide operations. The crew comprises two pilots, a weapon systems officer, a flight engineer, an air loadmaster and up to three air stewards.The bulk of the RAF’s single-role AAR fleet comprises VC10s of two different variants, the K3 and K4. Each aircraft is a three-point tanker, with fuel being dispensed from the two wing-hoses or from the single fuselage-mounted Hose Drum Unit (HDU). The wing hoses can transfer fuel at up to 1000kgs per minute and are used to refuel tactical fast-jet aircraft. The HDU can transfer fuel up to 2000kgs per minute and is usually used to refuel ‘heavy’ strategic aircraft, although it can also be used by fast-jet aircraft.Each tanker variant of VC10 carries a different fuel load. The K3 is equipped with fuselage fuel tanks, mounted in the passenger compartment, and can carry up to 78 tonnes of fuel. These internal tanks are not fitted to the K4, which has a maximum fuel load of 68 tonnes. For self defence, the aircraft’s only countermeasures are its recent change to a low infrared paint scheme (grey), a radar-warning receiver and a Matador IRCM (Infrared Counter Measures) missile-protection system, which comprises two infrared jammers mounted under the engines at the rear of the aircraft. The aircraft also has a very limited passenger-carrying capacity used almost exclusively to carry ground crew and other operational support personnel.The VC10 is now reaching the end of its service life, but continual modifications maintain the aircraft as a significant asset, enabling the rapid deployment of troops and their weaponry, and fast-jet fighter aircraft, to any theatre of operations around the world.
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