Aircraft/Navy

Sea Power, Jan 2003

E-6 MERCURY

C-9B/DC-9 SKYTRAIN

BRIEFING: The Navy acquired 17 C-9Bs between 1973 and 1982 to replace the aging C-1188 Liftmaster. The C-913-a military version of the McDonnell Douglas DC-9-32 airliner-was modified with upper cargo doors to allow for cargo or passenger loads or a mixture of the two. During the 1980s, an additional 12 second-hand DC-9-31 and -33 airliners (retaining the DC-9 designation) were purchased from commercial airlines and modified with cargo doors, bringing the total C-9 fleet to 29 aircraft.

The Skytrain fleet is flown by five reserve VR squadrons and one Marine Corps VIVIR squadron positioned throughout the continental United States. The C-9 fleet provides cargo and passenger transportation as well as forward-- deployment logistics support. In routine operations, the C-9s provide unique logistics capabilities for the Navy, particularly the airlift of Naval Reserve personnel to and from training sites and the movement of naval personnel to support ship deployments.

C-12 HURON

C-20D/G GULFSTREAM III/IV

BRIEFING: The C-20D is an FAA-certified Gulfstream Ill aircraft capable of all-- weather, long-range, high-speed, nonstop transoceanic flights. The aircraft features an executive compartment with accommodations for five passengers, a staff compartment with accommodations for eight passengers, and a walk-in fully pressurized baggage area of 157 cubic feet. The two C-20Ds are operated by VR-1 at NAF Washington, Md.

The C-20G-an FAA-certified Gulfstream IV aircraft, also capable of all-- weather, long-range, high-speed nonstop transoceanic flights-may be configured for cargo operations, passenger operations, or a combination of the two. With passenger seats removed the aircraft may be modified to the following configurations: three pallets/no passengers, two pallets/eight passengers, one pallet/14 passengers. With a full complement of seats installed, the aircraft is capable of accommodating up to 26 passengers and a crew of four. A hydraulically operated cargo door is installed on the starboard side of the aircraft to facilitate loading and unloading of cargo. A ball-roller cargo floor is capable of accommodating palletized cargo. The fully pressurized walk-in baggage area is accessible from the cabin. The C-20G aircraft are operated by VR-48 at NAF Washington, Md., and VR-51 at MCAF Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

C-26D

C-37A GULFSTREAM V/V-SP

C-40A CLIPPER

BRIEFING: The C-40A, an FAA-certified derivative of the Boeing 737-700C airliner, can accommodate 121 passengers, eight pallets of cargo, or a combination of three pallets and 70 passengers. The C-40A has a state-of-the-art flight deck, avionics that meet FAA safety mandates, and engines that are Stage III noise-compliant and certified for overwater operations. The C-40A will set new standards in performance, low-cost operations, and reliability for the Navy's fleet logistics support mission. With its superior range and performance, Boeing 777-type flight deck, updated avionics, and quiet, clean, fuel-efficient engines, the C-40A will increase the Navy's capability for rapid response to the fleet's airlift requirements.