Description:
The C-21
is a twin turbofan engine aircraft used
for cargo and passenger airlift. The aircraft is the military version
of the Lear Jet 35A business jet. In addition to providing cargo and
passenger airlift, the aircraft is capable of transporting one litter
or five ambulatory patients during aeromedical evacuations.
Features
The turbofan engines are pod-mounted on the sides of the rear fuselage.
The swept-back wings have hydraulically actuated, single-slotted flaps.
The aircraft has a retractable tricycle landing gear, single steerable
nose gear and multiple-disc hydraulic brakes.
The C-21 can carry eight passengers and 42 cubic feet (1.26 cubic
meters) of cargo. The fuel capacity of the C-21 is 931 gallons (3,537.8
liters) with refueling accomplished at ground level through each
wingtip tank. The safety and operational capabilities of the C-21 are
increased by the autopilot, color weather radar and tactical air
navigation system, as well as high frequency, very high frequency and
ultra high frequency radios.
The aircraft has a crew of two and may be flown from either cockpit
seat. It is equipped with an automatic navigation system to enhance
crew efficiency. Four cathode ray tubes display essential information
to the pilots.
Background
Delivery of the C-21 fleet began in April 1984 and was completed
October 1985. DynCorp Technical Services provides full contractor
logistics support at seven worldwide locations. C-21s stationed outside
the continental United States are assigned to the theater
commanders.
Air Mobility Command is the lead command for the
aircraft.
In April 1997, the majority of continental U.S. based C-21s
were
consolidated within the 375th Airlift Wing at Scott Air Force Base,
Ill., with the National Guard Bureau retaining aircraft at Peterson
AFB, Colo., Air Force Flight Standards Agency retaining aircraft at
Andrews AFB, Md., and the Air Education and Training Command retaining
aircraft at Keesler AFB, Miss.
In January 2007, Program Budget Decision number 720 reduced C-21
operations to 40 aircraft. AMC dissolved C-21
operations at
Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. U.S. Air Forces in
Europe was reduced from
13 to 10, Pacific Air Forces from 4 to 3 and AETC from 5 to
3.
The NGB picked up 16 aircraft for bridge missions at Fargo,
N.D. and
Bradley Air National Guard Base, Conn., until they receive
C-27s. Base
Closure and Realignment actions moved the AFFSA from Andrews
AFB to
Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City, Okla. In June 2007 PACAF
divested itself of its three C-21s and the NGB gained three additional
C-21s. |
WEFT Description
-
- WINGS
- ENGINE
- FUSELAGE
- TAIL
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