Lockheed C-141 Starlifter

The Lockheed C-141 Starlifter is a strategic transport aircraft and tactic manufactured by the aeronautical Constructeur states-unien Lockheed in the Années 1960.

Design

In 1960, the US Air Force request making of a strategic transport aircraft with reaction with long operating range to replace the C-124 Globemaster II of Douglas Aircraft Company. Lockheed made a prototype then. The first prototype of Starlifter stole the December 17th 1963 (in homage to the first flight of the Frères Wright). The first apparatus was delivered in 1964 and it really entered in service the US Air Force under the name of C-141A in 1965. In all, 285 specimens of version C-141A were assembled with the factory Lockheed-Georgia de Marietta.

As it more resistant than was envisaged to the heavy loads, a lengthened version (whose first prototype YC-141B stole the March 24th 1977) was carried out and as of 1982, 270 version has were transformed into version B.
Lastly, in 1997, a last version modernized C was imagined to use to the maximum the apparatuses until their retirement effective in May 2006.

Because of its high cost, the plane is used only by the army states-unienne. The Soviet Union builds an apparatus are equivalent since 1974, the It-76.

Engagements

Starlifter took part in the Cold war of which more particularly with the Guerre of Vietnam by repatriating the wounded soldiers and the material with the the United States. It was also used to transport the ballistic missiles like the rockets Pershing or in the parachuting of the marine in zone ennemie.
Lastly, it was used for the war of the Gulf of 1990 - 1991 where it was illustrated with the C-5 (C-5 was conceived starting from C-141).

Alternatives

C-141A: first version whose 285 apparatuses were built.

NC-141A : they are 4 prototypes intended for example for NASA

C-141B: version modernized of has (appeared in 1977). It is lengthened of 7,16 m and can be supplied with vol.
C-141C: modernized version of B (appeared in 1997). Only the avionics was improved, on the 64 improved C-141B, the instrument panels became computerized.

Other characteristics

It can transport 4 team members and 205 troops, 168 parachutists or 41.222 kg of freight.

See too

List of the military aircrafts

Random links: