Information AboutC-141 |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT C-141 STARLIFTER | |
| lockheed corporation | |
| u.s. military transport aircraft 1960-1969 | |
| c-0141 starlifter | |
| vietnam war aircraft | |
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The Lockheed C-141 Starlifter is a military Strategic Airlift er in service with the United States Air Force . Introduced to replace slower piston-engined cargo planes such as the C-124 Globemaster II , the C-141 was designed to a 1960 requirement and first flew in 1963 ; production deliveries of an eventual 285 began in 1965 , 284 for Military Airlift Command, and one for NASA . The aircraft is still in service almost 40 years later, although the USAF plans to withdraw the C-141 from service in 2006 when sufficient C-17 Globemaster III aircraft are available. over Antarctica]]The original Starlifter model, the C-141A, could carry 138 passengers, 80 litters for wounded, or thirteen standard 463L Master Pallet s with a total of 62,700 pounds (28,900 kg) of cargo. The C-141 could also carry a Minuteman Missile . It was soon discovered that the aircraft's volume capacity was relatively low in comparison to its lifting capacity; it generally ran out of physical space long before it hit its weight limit. To correct this and use the C-141 to the fullest, 270 C-141As were stretched, producing the C-141B. Additional 'plug' sections were added before and after the wings, lengthening the fuselage by 23 ft 4 in (7.11 m) and allowing the carriage of 103 litters for wounded, 13 standard pallets, 205 troops, 168 Paratroopers , or an equivalent increase in other loads. Also added at this time was a boom receptacle for Inflight Refueling . The conversion program took place between 1977 and 1982 . It was estimated that this stretching program was the equivalent of buying 90 new aircraft, in terms of increased capacity. More recently, 63 aircraft have been upgraded to C-141C status, with improved avionics and navigation systems, to keep them up-to-date until C-17s are available to replace them. In 1994 , thirteen C-141Bs were given SOLL II (Special Operations Low-Level II) modifications, which gave the aircraft a low-level night flying capability, enhanced navigation equipment, and improved defensive countermeasures. The USAF operates these aircraft for the Air Force Special Operations Command . These aircraft are slated to be replaced by special-purpose new-build C-17s. On American POW s from North Vietnam , and will soon be moved to the National Museum Of The United States Air Force , also at WPAFB. SPECIFICATIONS (C-141B STARLIFTER)
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