Tactical Airlift: Revisiting the YC-14

[Burncycle360]

Neither the YC-14 or YC-15 were adopted, though an enlarged design based on the YC-15 later turned into the basis of a strategic lifter (the C-17)

The YC-14's unique layout allowed it to really utilize rough / unprepared runways, not just in theory, in the same way something like a C-130 is expected to, but had sufficient volume and payload to carry an MBT at the time (in this case, an M60) with a pair of CF6-50D @ 51,000 lbs thrust each.   Obviously it didn't have strategic range with this payload, but that's not what it was for, and IMO improvements in engine design and efficiency for the commercial sector since the 70s has the potential to allow something similar to carry a heavier, modern MBT as a theater transport.  Would something with this capability be a useful tool in our toolbox today?

Edited December 8, 2022 by Burncycle360

[shep854]

At some point, the Herc will need to be replaced; with over 50 years of tech advancement, this may be viable...if we want ANOTHER Boeing aircraft.  But then, what's the alternative? A locally built A400?

Edited December 8, 2022 by shep854

[rmgill]

Have Lockmart rustle something up. Between the Herc, the C141 and the C5, I suspect they can come up with something. The C5-D unsolicited bid was something. 

[Stuart Galbraith]

Its worth reflecting that the USSR built a near analogue of the YC14 as the AN-72, codename Coaler if memory serves. They built 195, and there have been 24 lost, something like 12 percent of all built. You can make up your own mind if thats down to Antonov, poor maintenance, or its not really the safest configuration for an aircraft of its type.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonov_An-72

Seems to me its reinventing the C123 or Caribou with refinements. And everyone decided that a Hercules did the job just as well (or at least, everyone but the British MOD, but dont get me started on that now).

[bojan]

3 hours ago, Stuart Galbraith said:

...They built 195, and there have been 24 lost...

No, they had 24 incidences, not all of which resulted in the loss of aircraft. There were 10 lost aircrafts, half of which were not due the any plane fault. (one mid-air collision, one shotdown, one major crew error (forgot to extend landing gear), two CFIT due the bad weather).

Edited December 8, 2022 by bojan

[lucklucky]

23 hours ago, shep854 said:

At some point, the Herc will need to be replaced; with over 50 years of tech advancement, this may be viable...if we want ANOTHER Boeing aircraft.  But then, what's the alternative? A locally built A400?

Embraer C-390 . There was even a project for Embraer to be partially owned by Boeing but 737 MAX troubles and Covid prevented that.

Edited December 9, 2022 by lucklucky

[shep854]

48 minutes ago, lucklucky said:

Embraer C-390 . There was even a project for Embraer to be partially owned by Boeing but 737 MAX troubles and Covid prevented that.

Good call.  I didn't realize it was aimed at the C-130 class market.  Besides building relationships with South America, it would be supporting a competitor for Airbus.

[BansheeOne]

The A400M is straddling the line between tactical and strategic airlift. Note that France and Germany bought additional C-130J for real short-and-rough runway capability.