https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Military_transport_aircraftMilitary transport aircraft - Revision history2026-08-18T14:59:51ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Military_transport_aircraft&diff=416811&oldid=prevAjay Kumar: Created a new article2023-08-21T07:17:55Z<p>Created a new article</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{short description|Aircraft designed to carry military cargo and personnel}}<br />
{{for|freight and cargo aircraft|Cargo aircraft}}<br />
{{Redirect|Heavy transport helicopter|the European Defence Agency project|Future Transport Helicopter}}<br />
{{more citations needed|date=August 2017}}<br />
[[File:Airbus A400M Atlas (ZM400) - ASCOT482.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Airbus A400M Atlas]] transport aircraft of the [[Royal Air Force]].]]<br />
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A '''military transport aircraft''', '''military cargo aircraft''' or '''airlifter''' is a [[military aircraft|military-owned]] [[transport aircraft]] used to support [[military operation]]s by [[airlift]]ing troops and military equipment. Transport aircraft are crucial to maintaining [[supply line]]s to [[forward base]]s that are difficult to reach by [[ground transport|ground]] or [[maritime transport|waterborne]] access, and can be used for both strategic and tactical missions. They are also often used for civilian [[emergency relief]] missions by transporting [[humanitarian aid]].<br />
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==Air frames==<br />
===Fixed-wing===<br />
<!-- This section is linked from [[Air force]] --><br />
[[File:Skytrain Douglas C-47 (16138521471).jpg|thumb|A Douglas C-47 Skytrain, derived from the [[Douglas DC-3]]]]<br />
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Fixed-wing transport aeroplanes are defined in terms of their range capability as [[strategic airlift]] or [[tactical airlift]] to reflect the needs of the land forces which they most often support. These roughly correspond to the commercial [[flight length]] distinctions: [[Eurocontrol]] defines short-haul routes as shorter than {{convert|1500|km|nmi|abbr=on}}, long-haul routes as longer than {{convert|4000|km|nmi|abbr=on}} and medium-haul between.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.eurocontrol.int/sites/default/files/content/documents/official-documents/facts-and-figures/coda-reports/study-impact-global-economic-crisis-2011.pdf |title= Study into the impact of the global economic crisis on airframe utilisation |publisher= Eurocontrol |date= January 2011 |page= 21}}</ref><br />
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The [[military glider]] is an unpowered tactical air transport which has been used in some campaigns to transport troops and/or equipment to the battle front.<br />
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===Rotary wing===<br />
[[Military helicopter|Military]] transport helicopters are used in places where the use of conventional aircraft is impossible. For example, the military transport helicopter is the primary transport asset of [[US Marines]] deploying from [[Landing Helicopter Dock|LHD]]s and [[LHA (hull classification symbol)|LHA]]. The landing possibilities of [[helicopter]]s are almost unlimited, and where landing is impossible, for example densely packed jungle, the ability of the helicopter to hover allows troops to deploy by [[abseiling]] and [[Fast-roping|roping]].<br />
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Transport helicopters are operated in assault, medium and heavy classes. [[Air assault]] helicopters are usually the smallest of the transport types, and designed to move an [[infantry]] [[squad]] or [[section (military unit)|section]] and their equipment. Helicopters in the assault role are generally armed for self-protection both in transit and for suppression of the [[landing zone]]. This armament may be in the form of [[door gunner]]s, or the modification of the helicopter with stub wings and [[aircraft pylon|pylon]]s to carry [[missile]]s and [[rocket launcher#rocket pod|rocket pods]]. For example, the [[Sikorsky S-70]], fitted with the ESSM (External Stores Support System), and the ''Hip E'' variant of the [[Mil Mi-8]] can carry as much disposable armament as some dedicated [[attack helicopter]]s.<br />
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Medium transport helicopters are generally capable of moving up to a [[platoon]] of infantry, or transporting [[towed artillery]] or [[Military light utility vehicle|light vehicles]] either internally or as underslung roles. Unlike the assault helicopter they are usually not expected to land directly in a contested landing zone, but are used to reinforce and resupply landing zones taken by the initial assault wave. Examples include the unarmed versions of the Mil Mi-8, [[Eurocopter Super Puma|Super Puma]], [[Boeing Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight|CH-46 Sea Knight]], and [[NHIndustries NH90|NH90]].<br />
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Heavy lift helicopters are the largest and most capable of the transport types, currently limited in service to the [[CH-53 Sea Stallion]] and related [[CH-53E Super Stallion]], [[CH-47 Chinook]], [[Mil Mi-26]], and [[Aérospatiale Super Frelon]]. Capable of lifting up to 80 troops and moving small [[Armoured fighting vehicle]]s (usually as slung loads but also internally), these helicopters operate in the [[Airlift|tactical transport]] role in much the same way as small fixed wing [[turboprop]] air-lifters. The lower speed, range and increased fuel consumption of helicopters are more than compensated by their ability to operate virtually anywhere.<br />
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== Payload comparison==<br />
[[File:CH-53K King Stallion lifts a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle.jpg|A [[Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion|Sikorsky CH-53K]]|thumb|right]]<br />
[[File:IL-76MD_-_TankBiathlon2013_(modified).jpg|A 1970s Ilyushin-Il-76 airlifter designed for both strategic and tactical military operations|thumb|right]]<br />
{| class="wikitable sortable"<br />
|-<br />
! Country<br />
! Aircraft<br />
! Payload t<br />
! Max takeoff weight <br />kg (lb))<br />
! Cargo hold Length <br /> m (ft)<br />
! Cargo hold Width <br /> m (ft)<br />
! Cargo hold Height <br /> m (ft)<br />
|-<br />
| Soviet Union<br />
| [[Antonov An-124 Ruslan|Antonov An-124]]<br />
| 150<br />
| {{cvt|402000|kg|lb|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|36|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|6.4|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|4.4|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
|-<br />
| United States<br />
| [[Lockheed C-5 Galaxy]]<br />
| 129.274<br />
| {{cvt|381018|kg|lb|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|37|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|5.8|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|4.1|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
|-<br />
| Soviet Union<br />
| [[Antonov An-22]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Antonov An-22|url=https://aerocorner.com/aircraft/antonov-an-22/|website=Aerocorner|access-date=3 November 2021}}</ref><br />
| 80<br />
| {{cvt|250000|kg|lb|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|32.7|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|4.44|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|4.44|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
|-<br />
| United States<br />
| [[Boeing C-17 Globemaster III|Boeing C-17]]<ref name="Comparison of military transport aircraft">{{cite web|url= https://www.theaviationzone.com/factsheets/comparison.asp|title =Comparison of military transport aircraft|publisher=theaviationzone.com|accessdate= 15 August 2021|url-access=registration}}</ref><br />
| 77.5<br />
| {{cvt|265352|kg|lb|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|26.83|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|5.49|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|3.76|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
|-<br />
| China<br />
| [[Xi'an Y-20]]<br />
| 66<br />
| {{cvt|220000|kg|lb|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|20|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|4|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|4|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
|-<br />
| Soviet Union<br />
| [[Ilyushin Il-76]]<br />
| 60<br />
| {{cvt|190000|kg|lb|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|24.54|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|3.45|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|3.4|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
|-<br />
| Europe <br />
| [[Airbus A330 MRTT]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aerocorner.com/aircraft/airbus-a330-mrtt/|title=Airbus A330 MRTT|website=Aerocorner|access-date=3 November 2021}}</ref><br />
| 45<br />
| {{cvt|233000|kg|lb|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|45|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|5.28|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|2.54|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
|-<br />
| Europe<br />
| [[Airbus A400M Atlas|Airbus A400M]]<br />
| 37<br />
| {{cvt|141000|kg|lb|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|17.71|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|4|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|3.85|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br/>rear section：{{cvt|4|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
|-<br />
| Japan<br />
| [[Kawasaki C-2]]<br />
| 36<br />
| {{cvt|141000|kg|lb|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|16|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|4|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|4|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
|-<br />
| Brazil<br />
| [[Embraer C-390 Millennium|Embraer C-390]]<br />
| 26<br />
| {{cvt|86999|kg|lb|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|18.5|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|3.00|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|3.04|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
|-<br />
| Soviet Union<br />
| [[Mil Mi-26]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Mi-26 HALO|url=https://man.fas.org/dod-101/sys/ac/row/mi-26.htm |website=Federations of American Scientists - Military Analysis Network |access-date=3 November 2021}}</ref><br />
| 20<br />
| {{cvt|56000|kg|lb|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|12|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|3.3|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|2.9|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
|-<br />
| United States<br />
| [[Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules|Lockheed Martin C-130J]]<ref name="Comparison of military transport aircraft"/><br />
| 19.8<br />
| {{cvt|70370|kg|lb|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|12.5|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|3.05|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|2.75|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
|-<br />
| Ukraine<br />
| [[Antonov An-178]]<br />
| 16 (18 max)<br />
| {{cvt|51000|kg|lb|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|13.21|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|2.73|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|2.73|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
|-<br />
| United States<br />
| [[Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion|Sikorsky CH-53K]]<br />
| 15.876<br />
| {{cvt|39916|kg|lb|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|9.14|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|2.46|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|2|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
|-<br />
| Italy<br />
| [[Alenia C-27J Spartan]]<ref>{{cite web |title=C-27J Capabilities and Cost Analysis Report|url=https://wildfiretoday.com/documents/C-27J_Report.pdf|website=wildfiretoday|publisher=Convergent Performance, LLC |access-date=3 November 2021}}</ref><br />
| 11.6 max<br />
| {{cvt|32500|kg|lb|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|11.43|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|3.33|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|2.59|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
|-<br />
| United States<br />
| [[Boeing CH-47 Chinook]]<ref>{{cite web|title=CH-47 Chinook |url=https://www.helis.com/60s/CH-47-Chinook.php |website=helis.com |access-date=3 November 2021}}</ref><br />
| 10.886<br />
| {{cvt|22680|kg|lb|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|9.14|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|2.53|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|1.98|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
|-<br />
| Spain<br />
| [[EADS CASA C-295|CASA C295]]<br />
| 7 (9.25 max)<br />
| {{cvt|23200|kg|lb|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|12.69|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|2.7|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
| {{cvt|1.9|m|ft|abbr=values}}<br />
|-<br />
|}<br />
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==See also==<br />
* [[Airlift]]<br />
* [[Cargo aircraft]]<br />
* [[Liaison aircraft]]<br />
* [[List of military transport aircraft]]<br />
* [[Loadmaster]]<br />
* [[Troop ship]]<br />
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==References==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
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==Further reading==<br />
*{{cite news |url= http://aviationweek.com/defense/opinion-why-military-transports-are-less-popular-youd-expect |title= Opinion: Why Military Transports Are Less Popular Than You'd Expect |date= Jun 7, 2018 |author= Richard Aboulafia |work= Aviation Week & Space Technology}}<br />
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{{Military aircraft types (roles)}}<br />
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{{Authority control}}<br />
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Military Transport Aircraft}}<br />
[[Category:Military transport aircraft| ]]</div>Ajay Kumar