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| Lockheed C-141 StarLifter |
Militarymedia.net - First flown on December 17, 1963, the C-141 StarLifter provided the USAF with fast and extensive long-range jet transport. The C-141 has a fuselage with a cross section similar to the C-130 Hercules. The wings are equipped with a powerful high lift device for good low speed handling and field performance.
The first of two C-141A prototypes flew in December 1963. The type entered service in October 1964 and reached initial operational capability in April 1965, immediately providing impressive confirmation of its capabilities in air bridge service to Southeast Asia.
During the 1970s, 270 of the 274 surviving C-141s cycled through an upgrade program that added 7.11 m (23 ft 4 in) fuselage span and in-flight refueling capability for true global airlift capacity. The overall cargo capacity of the resulting C-141B was increased by more than 30 percent, and thus the program added the equivalent of 90 new aircraft in capacity at a relatively low cost. The prototype conversion YC-141B made its first flight on March 24, 1977, and Lockheed completed the final C-141B on June 29, 1982.
Throughout his career, the StarLifter has been a USAF workhorse, flying regular supply missions around the world in addition to performing special requirements. An invaluable value to the USAF is the versatility of the StarLifter; it can be quickly reconfigured for many missions. Thirteen C-141B transports from the 437th Air Wing were equipped for the Special Low Level Operations (SOLL) support role, with increased survivability measures, including an infrared turret under the nose, improved electronic countermeasures and system self-defense.
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| Lockheed C-141 StarLifter |
Between 1997 and late 1999, the USAF upgraded 64 C-141s to the C-141C standard specifically for Air Force Reserve Command. It accepts a glass cockpit, GPS, an all-weather flight control system and a defense system incorporating a missile warning receiver.
The intensive use of the C-141 fleet has cost many victims. Since its introduction, this cargo plane has been in service for more than 40 years. In the 2000s the breed was withdrawn from front-line service. The last StarLifter was retired in 2006. This type was replaced by the Boeing C-17A Globemaster III.
