Canada's strategic airlift capability megathread (CC177, CC130J, A400M?)

[KevinB]

What about additional conversions though?

I believe that is what they mean.

Airbus has been adamant that everyone jump on the NEO bus or…

 

[Good2Golf]

Airbus has been adamant that everyone jump on the NEO bus or…

…buy an as-yet undeveloped multi-role tanker-freighter-passenger hauling KC-46…

 

[dapaterson]

…buy an as-yet undeveloped multi-role tanker-freighter-passenger hauling KC-46…

I'm sure that the MBAs at McDonnell-Douglas Boeing will, at some time, look up from their P&L spreadsheets and start thinking about aircraft design.

 

[Kirkhill]

Inside the C-130 Hercules, a military transport aircraft that can land almost anywhere and haul almost anything

The C-130 Hercules airlifter's versatility, longevity, and cargo capacity have made it a valuable asset to the Air Force and over 40 countries.

www.businessinsider.com

70 years in production.

Almost as long as the Chinook - 64 years in production.

Sometimes the universe just finds the sweetspot.

The 4 wheeled wagon has been around for 5500 years.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

A400 seems to be getting more customers and forming a NATO "Pool" of aircraft

 

[ytz]

NATO moving to C-17/A400M combo.

I keep saying we should do the same.

 

[PuckChaser]

Literally anything would be good. Despite elbows up, if they open the C17 line back up we immediately need to round out a full Sqn of them. A400s would be a nice European olive branch as we run the J models out of hours as much as I'd be sad to see the Hercs go.

 

[Cloud Cover]

I have read that the USAF has had such serious parts issues with the C17 that the Air Force itself has resorted to 3D printing their own parts. Also, it seems the last preferred option for a C17 restart was for an aircraft with somewhat different fuselage dimensions (narrower by a meter, taller and some changes to door and ramp configurations). To wit, the next iteration of C17 could be identical to current or it could be modified enough to think twice.

 

[calculus]

I have read that the USAF has had such serious parts issues with the C17 that the Air Force itself has resorted to 3D printing their own parts. Also, it seems the last preferred option for a C17 restart was for an aircraft with somewhat different fuselage dimensions (narrower by a meter, taller and some changes to door and ramp configurations). To wit, the next iteration of C17 could be identical to current or it could be modified enough to think twice.

Correct. The C17 FE was narrower by about a meter, in an effort to gain some aerodynamic efficiency. The one that would hopefully get built if they reopen the line is the original "A" model, or the proposed "B'' model.

Three Types Of C-17 That Never Made It Off The Drawing Board

The C-17 was a successful design. Here are 3 modifications to the C-17 that never made it off the drawing board.

avgeekery.com

 

[ytz]

I would think the cheapest restart is the A model. And for the US, they just need a bridge to their future airlift programs.