『每日軍事武器鑑賞』－C-141 星式 戰略運輸機

克里斯Chris

C-141B Starlifter

President John F. Kennedy's first official act after his inauguration was to order the development of an all-jet transport to extend the reach of the nation's military forces. Lockheed's C-141 StarLifter was the result.
The C-141 Starlifter is the workhorse of the Air Mobility Command. The Starlifter fulfills the vast spectrum of airlift requirements through its ability to airlift combat forces over long distances, inject those forces and their equipment either by airland or airdrop, re-supply employed forces, and extract the sick and wounded from the hostile area to advanced medical facilities.

The C-141B is a stretched C-141A with in-flight refueling capability. Stretching of the Starlifter consisted of lengthening the plane 23 feet, 4 inches (53.3 centimeters), which increased cargo capacity by about one-third - 2,171 extra cubic feet (65.13 extra cubic meters). Lengthening of the aircraft had the same effect as increasing the number of aircraft by 30 percent. The C-141 was the first jet aircraft designed to meet military standards as a troop and cargo carrier.

A universal air refueling receptacle on the C-141B transfers 23,592 gallons (89,649.6 liters) of fuel in about 26 minutes, allowing longer non-stop flights and fewer fuel stops during worldwide airlift missions. The C-141 force, nearing seven million flying hours, has a proven reliability and long-range capability.

The Starlifter, operated by the Air Mobility Command, can airlift combat forces, equipment and supplies, and deliver them on the ground or by airdrop, using paratroop doors on each side and a rear loading ramp. It can be used for low-altitude delivery of paratroops and equipment, and high-altitude delivery of paratroops. It can also airdrop equipment and supplies using the container delivery system. It is the first aircraft designed to be compatible with the 463L Material Handling System, which permits off-loading 68,000 pounds (30,600 kilograms) of cargo, refueling and reloading a full load, all in less than an hour.

克里斯Chris

The C-141 has an all-weather landing system, pressurized cabin and crew station. Its cargo compartment can easily be modified to perform around 30 different missions. About 200 troops or 155 fully equipped paratroops can sit in canvas side-facing seats, or 166 troops in rear-facing airline seats. Rollers in the aircraft floor allow quick and easy cargo pallet loading. A palletized lavatory and galley can be installed quickly to accommodate passengers, and when palletized cargo is not being carried, the rollers can be turned over to leave a smooth, flat surface for loading vehicles.

In its aeromedical evacuation role, the Starlifter can carry about 103 litter patients, 113 ambulatory patients or a combination of the two. It provides rapid transfer of the sick and wounded from remote areas overseas to hospitals in the United States.

The Air Force Reserve, through its associate units, provides 50 percent of the Starlifter's airlift crews, 40 percent of its maintenance capability and flies more than 30 percent of Air Mobility Command's peacetime worldwide missions.

The first Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units to receive the C-141 as unit equipment became operational in fiscal 1987. The units are located at Jackson, Miss., and Andrews Air Force Base, Md.

During Desert Shield and Desert Storm, a C-141 from the 437th Military Airlift Wing, Charleston AFB, S.C., was the first American aircraft into Saudi Arabia, transporting an Airlift Control Element from the 438th Military Airlift Wing, McGuire Air Force Base, N.J. In the following year, the C-141 completed the most airlift missions - 7,047 out of 15,800 - supporting the Gulf War. It also carried more than 41,400 passengers and 139,600 tons (125,690 metric tons) of cargo.

The first C-141A, delivered to Tinker AFB, Okla., in October 1964, began squadron operations in April 1965. Soon, Starlifters made flights almost daily to Southeast Asia, carrying troops, equipment and supplies, and returning patients to U.S. hospitals.

Several C-141s have been modified to carry the Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile in its special container, up to a total weight of 92,000 pounds (41,400 kilograms). Some C-141s have been equipped with intraformation positioning sets that enable a flight of two to 36 aircraft to maintain formation regardless of visibility. The C-141 was the first jet transport from which U.S. Army paratroopers jumped, and the first to land in the Antarctic. A C-141 established a world record for heavy cargo drops of 70,195 pounds (31,587.7 kilograms).

克里斯Chris

Service Life

The first C-141B was received by the Air Force in December 1979. Conversion of 270 C-141s from A to B models was completed in 1982. C-141 modifications aim to preserve the remaining force by reliability and maintainability improvements and capability improvements necessary for effective use through 2006. Thirteen aircraft will receive additional SOLL II upgrades under the Special Operations Forces Improvement program. Sixty-three aircraft in the current C-141 fleet will undergo major modification. Each will receive the All Weather Flight Control System (AWFCS) consisting of a digital autopilot, advanced avionics display, and Ground Collision Avoidance System (GCAS). Other major improvements include a Defensive Systems (DS), Fuel Quantity Indicating System, and GPS modifications. As a general rule, these 63 aircraft are the "youngest" (fewest equivalent damage hours) in the fleet and will carry the weapon system through programmed retirement in 2006.


All Weather Flight Control System (AWFCS) The AWFCS modification is necessitated to alleviate reliability and maintainability problems presently being experienced due to the aging (or rather aged) avionics systems on the C-141. The system's functionality includes: autopilot, autothrottle, yaw damping, ground collision warning, primary flight instrument display, and warning display. LRUs installed by this modification (4 6x8" AMLCD Display Units (DUs), 2 Automatic Flight Control Processors (AFCPs), 2 Display Processor Units (DPUs), and 2 Display Avionics Management Units) replace approximately 19 antiquated LRUs, Indicators, and Controls. Additionally, a new Ground Collision Avoidance System (GCAS) and Multi-function Standby Airspeed/Attitude/Altitude Indicator (w/independant airdata source) are installed during this modification.

GPS Enhanced Navigation System (GPSENS) GPSENS integrates into the AWFCS aircraft to provide GPS based navigation and centralized and consolodated control of the majority of aircraft communication and navigation equipment via 3 Multifunction Control Display Units and 2 Navigational Processors. The Fuel Saving Advisory System (FSAS) LRUs are removed and their functionality is rehosted within the Nav. Processors.

Digital Fuel Quantity Indication System (FQIS) The new digital FQIS provides a display of fuel quantity in the same manner as the old analog system - one indicator for each tank and a totalizer to sum each individual tank reading (except in a digital format vs the analog dail). All components and wiring of the old system are replaced when the new system is installed. A complete aircraft kit consists of 11 Digital Fuel Qauntity Indicators (one part number which is interchangeable for all tank indicator positions and totalizer), 68 Full Height Compensated (FHC) Fuel Probes, and associated wiring. BIT capabilities facilitate ease of maintenance and trouble shooting.

Airlift Defensive System (ADS) ADS provides C-141 aircraft with a common self-protection capability against shoulder fired man portable Surface-to-Air Missile threat.
L-Band Satcom System Operating on the Inmarsat and GPS satellites with interconnection to international telex, fax and switched data networks, the L-Band Satcom system provides automatic (and manual) data reporting and message transfer of position reports, performance data and operational messages on a 24 hour global basis. Coverage is provided from sea level to 55,000 feet from 70 degrees north to 70 degrees south.
Interim GPS Provisions The C-141 aircraft is equipped with provisions to allow the use of hand-held GPS equipment. Power and antenna access plugs are located at the aft end of the center pedestal. Hand-held GPS units in use consist of the Precise Lightweight GPS Receiver (PLGR) and the Bendix-King KLX-100 (Comm functions not allowed for on-aircraft use).
Traffic Collision Aviodance System (TCAS) Current plans include the installation of a TCAS on the C-141 aircraft.

Recently, the C-141 went through a series of major repairs. Wing Station 405, windshield post crack repairs and center wing box repair/replacement are complete. As the aircraft continues to age, it is quite possible new structural problems may limit the readiness of the force. To slow aircraft aging of the active duty fleet, 56 PAI aircraft have been transferred to the UE Guard and Reserve as of FY95. Additionally, the process of retiring high flight hour equivalent aircraft will culminate with the retirement of the entire AMC active duty fleet by FY03.

克里斯Chris

Specifications
Primary Function	Long-range troop and cargo airlift.
Contractor	Lockheed-Georgia Co.
Power Plant	Four Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-7 turbofan engines.
Thrust	20,250 pounds (9,112.5 kilograms), each engine.
Length	168 feet, 4 inches (51 meters).
Height	39 feet, 3 inches (11.9 meters).
Wingspan	160 feet (48.5 meters).
Speed	500 mph (Mach 0.66).
Ceiling	41,000 feet (12,424 meters).
Maximum Takeoff Weight	323,100 pounds (145,395 kilograms).
Range	2,500 miles (2,174 nautical miles).
Unit Cost	$8.1 million (1992 dollars).
Crew	Six (pilot, co-pilot, two loadmasters, and two flight engineers).
Date Deployed	C-141A: May 1964; C-141B: December 1979.
Inventory	Active force, 241; ANG, 16; Reserve, 12.

克里斯Chris

(文章來自 :舊型戰略運輸機)

克里斯Chris

舊新聞：

美軍最後一架C-141戰略運輸機退役進博物館



圖片說明：C-141A型運輸機

美國飛機製造商洛克希德-馬丁公司6日宣佈，美軍有名的C-141“運輸星”戰略運輸機當日結束了“謝幕飛行”，從此退出現役。


據法新社5月7日報道，洛克希德－馬丁公司6日宣佈，“美國空軍的最後一架C-141‘運輸星’飛機于當日退役。這架飛行了43年的飛機已被贈送給俄亥俄州賴特帕特森空軍基地的空軍國家博物館收藏”。6日，這架C-141運輸機的“謝幕飛行”的目的地就是這家博物館。

　　第一架C-141運輸機于1965年開始服役。它是一種裝備了雙流渦輪噴氣發動機的軍用運輸機，是世界上第一種完全為貨運設計的噴氣式重型戰略運輸機。它最大承載力是可以搭載138名士兵或者載重超過26噸的輜重，能夠運送美軍大多數重型裝備，同時它還完成過緊急轉移戰鬥傷員的任務。

　　1973年2月12日，型號為C-141A的飛機曾啟程飛往越南首都河內附近的一處基地，接美軍戰俘回國。

　　上世紀70年代末和90年代初，還誕生過C-141B和C－141C兩種型號的“運輸星”系列飛機。服役的“運輸星”架數一度達到284架。全部這款運輸機的飛行小時總數超過了1060萬小時。

　　美軍目前使用的運輸機是由洛克希德公司生產的C-130J和C-5型飛機。

克里斯Chris

美空軍最後兩架C-141“運輸星”運輸機退役

在美空軍第305空中機動飛行大隊(AMW)服役的兩架C-141"運輸星"運輸機已光榮退役，這也是在空軍服役的最後兩架C-141。由洛克希德·馬丁公司研製的這種渦輪風扇運輸機在空軍服役了整整39年。空軍為兩架C-141專門舉行了退役儀式。從1963年至1968年， 共有285架C-141進入美空軍服役。


洛克希德·馬丁公司戰略運輸機副總裁June Shrewsbury在退役儀式上對C-141運輸機給予高度評價，他表示，C-141是世界上第一架噴氣運輸機，自1965年以來，它一直是美國戰略運輸機的中堅力量，參加過許多戰爭，為美國空軍迅速向全世界部署軍隊和保證供給提供了最關鍵的保障能力。


在C-141運輸機的飛行歷史上，最引人注目的三件大事是：

　　·1969年，美國"阿波羅"11號首次人類登月成功後，一架C-141運輸機將從月球返回的宇航員及密封艙從夏威夷運回休斯頓；

　　·1973年2月12日，一架C-141運輸機飛抵越南河內附近的嘉林機場將第一批越戰期間的戰俘運送回美國；

　　·1973年10月，在"贖罪者之戰(Yom Kippur War)"中，為支援以色列 C-141飛行員們飛行了421架次、運送了10000噸設備及供給品。