Airmanship Knowledge for Air Cadets Learning Outcome 3 Uncontrolled copy not subject to amendment Airmanship Knowledge for Air Cadets Learning Outcome 3 Know How to Identify Military Aircraft Part 3b: No2 Group Combat Support Revision 3.00

Contents Aircraft in No 2 Group – Combat Support (Part 2): C-17A Globemaster III Hercules C1 / C3 Hercules C4 / C5 Tristar VC10 Airbus A400M Voyager 2

1. C-17A Globemaster III Reporting Name: Globemaster III Role Letters and Marks: C-17A Role: Long range, strategic heavy-lift transport

C-17A 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 off-load of cargo Declared part of the UK’s Joint Rapid Reaction Force

Technical Data Wing Span: 52M Length: 53M Crew: 3 Maximum Speed: Mach 0.85 Engines: 4 x Four Pratt & Whitney F117- PW 100 turbofans

C-17A Globemaster III

2. Hercules C1 / C3 Reporting Name: Hercules Role Letters and Marks: C1 / C3 Role: Tactical Transport

The original RAF versions are designated Hercules C1 and C3 Hercules C1 / C3 This versatile work horse is intended primarily for tactical operations and can operate from short unprepared airstrips Its role includes supply dropping, freight carrying, trooping and air ambulance duties The original RAF versions are designated Hercules C1 and C3 The series 400 has five cabin windows on each side as opposed to six on the later 8

Technical Data Wing Span: 40.41M Length: C1=29.78M C3=34.37M Crew: 5 Maximum Speed: 335kts (621km/h) at 20,000ft Engines: Four Allison T56 turboprops or Four Allison AE2100D Turboprops - C130J

Hercules C1 / C3

3. Hercules C4 / C5 Reporting Name: Hercules Role Letters and Marks: C4, C5 Role: Tactical Transport

The new RAF versions are designated Hercules C4 and C5 Hercules C4 / C5 This versatile work horse is intended primarily for tactical operations and can operate from short unprepared airstrips Its role includes supply dropping, freight carrying, trooping and air ambulance duties The new RAF versions are designated Hercules C4 and C5 Hercules C4 / C5 have up-rated engines with composite 6 bladed propellers as well as a glass cockpit and a head up display The series 400 has five cabin windows on each side as opposed to six on the later 12

Technical Data Wing Span: 40.41M Length: C4=29.78M C5=34.37M Crew: 5 Maximum Speed: 335kts (621km/h) at 20,000ft Engines: Four Allison AE2100D Turboprops

Hercules C4 / C5

4. Tristar Reporting Name: Tristar Role Letters and Marks: K1, KC1, KC2 Role: Transport/Tanker

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 of loads, including up to 20 pallets of equipment or 250 passengers

Technical Data Wing Span: 50M Length: 50M Crew: 3 Maximum Speed: 527kts (978km/h) at 30,000ft Engines: Three Rolls-Royce RB211 turbofans

Tristar

5. VC10 Reporting Name: VC10 Role Letters and Marks: C1, C1K, K2, K3, K4 Role: Transport/Tanker

VC10 VC10 has been in RAF service since 1967 and has been developed to fulfill many roles over the years As a transporter the VC10 C1 can carry up to 150 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 2, 3 and 4s are also fitted with a centre-line refueling hose drum unit making them 3-point tankers

Technical Data Wing Span: 44.5M Length: K2=50.59M K3=54.55M Crew: 4 Maximum Speed: 500kts (922km/h) at 30,000ft Engines: Four Rolls-Royce Conway 301 turbojets

VC10

6. Airbus A400M Reporting Name: A400M Role: Transport

Technical Data Wing Span: 42.4m Length: 45.1m Crew: 4 Maximum Speed: Mach 0.68 – 0.72 Engines: 4 x EuroProp International TP400-D6

Airbus A400M

7. Voyager Reporting Name: Voyager Role Letters and Marks: To be confirmed Role: Tanker / Transport

Technical Data Wing Span: 60.3 M Length: 58.8 M Crew: 3 to 4 Maximum Speed: Mach 0.82 Engines: 2 x Trent 700 turbofans

Voyager

Any questions?