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Airmanship Knowledge
Learning Outcome 3
Part 4
No2 Group Combat Support
Part 2
Revision 1.00
Airmanship Knowledge
Learning Outcome 3
Know the aircraft in service with the
British Armed Forces
C17A Globemaster III
Reporting Name
Role Letters & Marks
Role
Globemaster III
C17A
Long range, strategic
heavy-lift transport
C17A Globemaster III
C17A Globemaster III
C17A Globemaster III
C17A Globemaster III
C17A Globemaster III
C17A Globemaster III
• Long-range, strategic heavy-lift transport aircraft.
• Capable of operating into austere strips with short
runways and limited facilities.
• Basic crew of two pilots and one air loadmaster.
• Can carry ‘outsize’ loads up to 135,000lbs single-item
weight.
• Self-supporting, needing little or no ground equipment for
offload of cargo.
• Declared part of the UK’s Joint Rapid Reaction Force.
C17A Globemaster III
WING SPAN
LENGTH
CREW
MAXIMUM SPEED
ENGINES
52M
53M
3
Mach 0.85
4 x Four Pratt & Whitney F117- PW
100 turbofans
Hercules C1 / C3
Reporting Name
Role Letters & Marks
Role
Hercules
C1 / C3
Heavy Transport
Hercules C1 / C3
Hercules C1 / C3
Hercules C1 / C3
Hercules C1 / C3
Hercules C1 / C3
Hercules C1 / C3
Hercules C1 / C3
Hercules C1 / C3
• This versatile work horse is intended primarily for tactical
operations and can operate from short unprepared
airstrips.
• It role includes supply dropping, freight carrying, trooping
and air ambulance duties.
• The RAF versions are designated Hercules C1 and C3.
Hercules C1 / C3 Technical Data
WING SPAN
LENGTH
CREW
MAXIMUM SPEED
ENGINES
40.41M
C1=29.78M C3=34.37M
5
335kts (621km/h) at
20,00ft
Four Allison T56 turboprops
Hercules C4/5
Reporting Name
Role Letters & Marks
Role
Hercules
C4, C5,
Heavy Transport
Hercules C4/5
Hercules C4/C5
Hercules C4/C5
Hercules C4/C5
Hercules C4/C5
Hercules C4/5
• This versatile work horse is intended primarily for tactical
operations and can operate from short unprepared
airstrips.
• It role includes supply dropping, freight carrying, trooping
and air ambulance duties.
• The C130J is the latest version and are designated C4
and C5
• Externally it is no different from other Hercules, it does
however have up-rated engines with composite 5 bladed
propellers and the cockpit is fitted with a “glass cockpit”
and a head up display
Hercules C4/5
Technical Data
WING SPAN
LENGTH
CREW
MAXIMUM SPEED
ENGINES
40.41M
C1=29.78M C3=34.37M
3
335kts (621km/h) at
20,00ft
Four Allison AE2100D
Turboprops - C130J
Tristar
Reporting Name
Role Letters & Marks
Role
Tristar
K1, KC1, C2
Transport/Tanker
Tristar
KC1
Tristar
K1
Tristar
KC1
Tristar
KC1
Tristar
KC1
Tristar
KC1
Tristar
• These conversions of a successful Lockheed civil
airliner, have given the RAF a greatly increased strategic
transport and refuelling capability.
• The alterations include the fitting of an in-flight refuelling
probe and centre-line hose drum unit (HDU).
• The tanker role has a close circuit television (CCTV)
system fitted to allow the crew to monitor the refuelling
operation.
• The interior of the aircraft has been reworked to military
specifications and can take a wide variety and
combinations of loads, including up to 20 pallets of
equipment or up to 250 passengers dependant on Mk of
aircraft.
Tristar Technical Data
WING SPAN
LENGTH
CREW
MAXIMUM SPEED
ENGINES
50M
50M
4 + Up To 4 Stewards
527kts (978km/h) at 30,000ft
Three Rolls-Royce
RB211 turbofans
VC10
Reporting Name
Role Letters & Marks
Role
VC10
C1K, K3, K4
Transport/Tanker
VC10 C1K
VC10 K3
VC10
VC10
VC10
• VC10 has been in RAF service since 1967 and has been
developed to fulfill many roles over the years.
• As a transporter the C1K can carry up to 129 troops or
24,516 kg of freight on pallets using a roller conveyor
system.
• The original fleet of VC10 C1 aircraft have been modified
and supplemented by ex-civilian VC10s and super
VC10s (4m longer).
• The tanker versions (K) are fitted with two Mk 32 in-flight
refueling pods, one under each wing.
• The K 3 & 4s are also fitted with a centre-line refueling
hose drum unit making them 3-point tankers.
VC10 Technical Data
WING SPAN
LENGTH
CREW
MAXIMUM SPEED
ENGINES
44.5M
C1K & K3=54.55M
C1K 5, K3 & K4 4
500kts (922km/h) at 30,000ft
Four Rolls-Royce Conway 301
turbojets
Airbus A400M
Reporting Name
Role
A400M
Transport
Airbus A400M
Airbus A400M
Airbus A400M
Airbus A400M
Airbus A400M
WING SPAN
LENGTH
CREW
MAXIMUM SPEED
ENGINES
42.4m
45.1m
4
Mach 0.68 – 0.72
4 x EuroProp
International TP400-D6
Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft
Airbus A330 – Voyager KC2 and KC3
Reporting Name
Role Letters & Marks
Role
Voyager
KC2 and KC3
Tanker
Voyager KC2 and KC3
Voyager KC2 and KC3
Voyager KC2 and KC3
Voyager KC2 and KC3
FSTA A330 - Voyager KC2 & KC3
Technical Data
WING SPAN
LENGTH
CREW
MAXIMUM SPEED
ENGINES
60.3 M
58.8 M
3/4
Mach 0.82
2 x Trent 700 turbofans
Questions?