Tanker and Transport
Voyager
Coming soon
Coming soon
C17 Globemaster III
The C-17 Globemaster III is capable of rapid, strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases anywhere in the world. The design of the aircraft also 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 3,500ft long and only 90ft wide. The C-17 can transport 45,360kg of freight (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) more than 4,500nm whilst flying at heights in excess of 30,000ft. The C-17 gives the RAF a long range strategic heavy-lift transport aircraft that can operate close to a potential area of operations for combat, peace keeping or humanitarian missions worldwide. Taken from Royal Air Force (adapted) Royal Air Force, Ministry of Defence © Crown Copyright 2017 |
A400M Atlas
The RAF took delivery of its first 22 A400M aircraft in 2014 with deliveries expected to be completed by 2019. It will be replacing the C130JK to provide tactical air lift and strategic oversize lift capability. The aircraft is capable of carrying a load of 25 tonnes over a range of 2,000nm at speeds comparable with pure-jet military transports. It is capable of operating either at low-level (down to 150ft) or at high altitude (40,000ft) and will be able to deploy troops and/or equipment either by parachute (up to 108 paratroopers), or by landing on short, unprepared or semi-prepared landing strips. It is operated by two pilots and a weapons systems operator who have the benefit of an integrated, digital avionics system in the cockpit and a fly-by-wire control system. Additional systems provide a night-vision-compatible glass cockpit complete with a heads-up display supported by at least five multi-function displays that will allow state-of-the-art avionics developments to be incorporated to the flight-deck design, so greatly reducing crew workload. Taken from Royal Air Force (adapted) Royal Air Force, Ministry of Defence © Crown Copyright 2017 |
C130K and C130J Hercules
C130K The main role of the C130K Hercules is Tactical Air Transport (TacAT) including airborne delivery of personnel or stores by airdrop. The aircraft is particularly valuable in it TacAT role as it can be operated from unprepared and semi-prepared surfaces by day or by night and allows responses to crisis situations, such as evacuating UK nationals from war zones. C130K aircraft may also be used to carry troops, passengers or freight and are capable of carrying up to 128 passengers (Mk3)/92 passengers (Mk1) or 15.9 tonnes of palletised freight/vehicles for up to 1,200nm (Mk3)/17.4 tonnes for up to 1,050nm (Mk1). The freight bay can accommodate a range of wheeled or tracked vehicles, or up to 7 pallets of general freight. The C130K is capable of operating in the aeromedical evacuation role where up to either 93 (Mk3) or 70 (Mk1) stretchers can be carried, depending on the mark of aircraft and the stretcher configuration C130J The main role of the C130J is also Tactical Air Transport (TactAT), and its capabilities are broadly similar to that of the C130K. However, its engines and advanced propellers, coupled with a digital engine-control system, give the C130J increased take-off thrust and better fuel efficiency than the C130K. 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 compatible with the use of night-vision goggles and, like its predecessor, is equipped with station-keeping equipment that enables the aircraft to maintain its airborne position in a large formation in poor weather. In addition to its TacAT role, the C130J can also be used in the AT role, offering similar range and payload to the C130K, operating either strategically from a Main Operating Base (MOB), or tactically from a Deployed Operating Base (DOB) Distinguishing features:
Royal Air Force, Ministry of Defence © Crown Copyright 2017 |
Augusta A109E
The Augusta A109E Power helicopter is operated by No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron in the Command Support Air Transport (CSAT) role. It can be flown by a single pilot in all weather conditions, by day and night. It provides site-to-site transportation for the Royal family, senior military personnel and Government Ministers in the UK and near Europe, providing a complementary capability to the fixed wing CSAT aircraft on the Squadron Taken from Royal Air Force (adapted) Royal Air Force, Ministry of Defence © Crown Copyright 2017 |
HS125 CCMk3
The BAe 125 is operated by the RAF in the Command Support Air Transport (CSAT) role. Based on one of the most popular civilian business jets, its robust engineering, flexibility of operation and rapid turnaround times have made it a very successful platform for moving small numbers of high priority passengers around the world. The BAe 125 continues to provide essential operational support to military commanders in theMiddle East and Afghanistan. More recently the aircraft was vital in supporting the NATO operation in Libya. From the UK it routinely provides a bespoke and flexible passenger transport capability that supports the efficient business of senior Government Ministers and MoD personnel Taken from Royal Air Force Royal Air Force, Ministry of Defence © Crown Copyright 2017 |
BAe146 CCMk2 and CMk3
The BAe146 is a quiet but tough aircraft, with a high level of built-in redundancy that enables it to operate for long periods away from base with little external support. It is extremely versatile, with excellent short field performance, good hot and high airfield capability and the ability to operate from rough landing strips. The RAF has two BAe146 CCMk2 aircraft that are currently operated in the Command Support Air Transport (CSAT) role. The aircraft has proved to be highly effective on operations, providing essential support to transport military commanders around theatre to allow key face-to-face engagement with their own military personnel, coalition partners and Host Nation leadership. It regularly operates in the Middle East and Afghanistan, and has provided a much needed transport capability during the NATO operation inLibya. In the UK it provides transport to senior members of the Royal Family, senior Government Ministers and MoD personnel. In 2013, these aircraft were joined by two BAe146 CMk3 aircraft operating in a tactical air transport role supporting operations in Afghanistan. Based on the QC variant of the civilian BAe146, the aircraft is equipped with a cargo door providing a multi-role capability of a passenger seat configuration or palletised freight. Although a different role from traditional CSAT, the similarities with the aircraft type means that the same crews will operate both variants Taken from Royal Air Force (adapted) Royal Air Force, Ministry of Defence © Crown Copyright 2017 |
Aircraft |
Engines |
Thrust |
Max Speed |
Length |
Max Altitude |
Span |
Aircrew |
Voyager |
Two RR Trent 772B Turbofans |
71,100lbs each |
330kts |
58.82m |
41,000ft |
60.3m |
3 (AAR) 11 (AT) |
C17 Globemaster MkIII |
Four P&W F117-PW-100 Turbofans |
40,400lbs each |
450kts |
53m |
45,000ft |
52m |
3 |
A400M Atlas |
Four EPI TP400 D6 Turboprop |
11,000shp each |
510kts |
42.2m |
40,000ft |
42.4m |
3 |
C130K Hercules |
Four Allison T56-A-15 Turboprops |
19,600lbs each |
290kts (cruise speed) |
29.77m (Mk1) 34.89m (Mk3) |
40,000ft (max) 26,000ft (normal) |
40.70m |
6 |
C130J Hercules |
Four Allison AE 2100D3 Turboprops |
4,700shp each |
320kts (cruise speed) |
34.34m (Mk4) 29.77m (Mk5) |
40,000ft (max) 28,000ft (normal) |
40.38m |
4 |
Augusta A109E |
Two Pratt & Whitney PW206C Turboshafts |
168kts |
13.07m |
10,000ft |
10.83m |
1 |
|
HS125 CCMk3 |
Two Garrett TFE 731-3DR-1H |
3,700lbs each |
320kts |
15.46m. |
41,000ft |
14.33m |
3 |
BAe146 CCMk2 |
Four Lycoming ALF502R-5 Turbofans |
6,790lbs each |
300kts |
26.19m |
30,000ft |
26.26m |
5 |
BAe146 CMk3 |
Four Lycoming ALF502R-5 Turbofans |
6,790lbs each |
295kts |
28.60m |
31,000ft |
26.34m |
5 |
© Air Cadet 101 - Harry Briggs