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Boeing C-137 Stratoliner
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| C-137 Stratoliner C-18 | |
|---|---|
| A VC-137B at Peterson AFB, Colorado | |
| Type | Passenger/VIP transport |
| Manufacturer | Boeing |
| Status | Active service |
| Primary user | United States Air Force |
| Produced | 1954-1965 |
| Developed from | Boeing 707 |
| Variants | Boeing CC-137 E-3 Sentry E-6 Mercury E-8 Joint STARS VC-137C SAM 26000 VC-137C SAM 27000 |
The Boeing C-137 Stratoliner was a VIP transport aircraft derived from the Boeing 707 jet airliner used by the United States Air Force. Other nations also bought both new and used 707s for military service, primarily as VIP or tanker transports. In addition, the 707 served as the basis for several specialized versions, such as the E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft. The designation C-18 covers several later variants based on the 707-320C series.
Contents
Development
USAF procurement of the Boeing 707 was very limited, amounting to three Model 707-153s designated VC-137A. When delivered in 1959 these had four 6123-kg (13,500-Ib) dry thrust Pratt & Whitney JT3C6 turbojets; when subsequently re-engined with 8165-kg (18,000-Ib) dry thrust TF33-P-5 turbofans they were redesignated VC-137B. Only one other variant served with the USAF: this was the VC-137C Air Force One Presidential transport, the two examples of which, apart from interior furnishings, are similar to the Model 707-320B Intercontinental. Two further non-presidential C-137C aircraft were later added.[1]
To supplement its VC-137s, the USAF converted several C-135 airframes to VC-135 VIP standard, and these were used for staff transport mainly within the United States.[1].
Variants
C-18
File:DF-SC-86-12927.jpg
An EC-18B Advanced Range Instrumentation Aircraft (ARIA) takes off on its first flight at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, following its conversion from a Boeing 707-320.
The C-18 is the US military designation for the conversions of the 707-320B series.
- C-18A
- Eight second-hand (former American Airlines) 707-323Cs bought as crew trainers for the EC-18Bs, four later converted to EC-18B, two converted to EC-18D, one to C-18B; one was not taken into service and was used for spares.
- C-18B
- One C-18A modified with instrumentation and equipment to support the Military Strategic and Tactical Relay System (MILSTAR).[2]
- EC-18B
- Four C-18As modified alongside examples of the C-135 for Advanced Range Instrumentation Aircraft (ARIA) missions in support of the Apollo space program.[2]
- EC-18C
- Original designation for two prototype J-STAR aircraft, later redesignated E-8A.
- EC-18D
- Two C-18As modified as a Cruise Missile Mission Control Aircraft (CMMCA).[2]
- TC-18E
- Two second-hand (former Trans World Airlines) 707-331 aircraft modified for E-3 pilot and crew training.[2]
- TC-18F
- Two second-hand (former TAP Portugal) 707-382 aircraft modified for E-6 pilot training.[2]
C-137 Stratoliner
File:DF-ST-82-06709.jpg
Spectators watch one of two C-137B Stratoliner aircraft that are bringing in the 52 freed hostages after their release from Iran
File:DM-ST-88-06835.jpg
VC-137C SAM 27000 (Air Force One) parked on the tarmac at the Venice Marco Polo Airport, Italy in 1987
The USAF purchased a number of 707s under the C-137 series of designations:
- VC-137A
- Three 707-153s with a 22-passenger VIP interior and provision for use as an airborne command post, re-designated VC-137B.
- VC-137B
- The three VC-137As re-engined with four Pratt & Whitney JT3D-3 engines, operated by the 89th Military Airlift Wing, redesignated C-137B.
- C-137B
- The three VC-137Bs redesignated when downgraded from VIP role.
- VC-137C
- Two 707-353Bs were purchased by the USAF (one in 1961 and one in 1972) for service as presidential transports with call signs SAM 26000 and SAM 27000; later redesignated C-137C.
- C-137C
- The two VC-137Cs were redesignated when downgraded from presidential use. Two further C-137Cs were acquired by the USAF, one 707-396C (a seized aircraft formerly used for arms smuggling acquired in 1985) and one 707-382B bought second hand in 1987.
- EC-137D
- Two aircraft built as Early Warning and Control System prototypes. Later re-engined and re-designated E-3A. A further second-hand 707-355C aircraft was acquired and configured as an airborne special operations command post.
Other US variants
- E-3 Sentry
- Airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft that provides all-weather surveillance, command, control and communications, to the United States, NATO and other air defense forces. Based on the 707-320B, production ended in 1992 after 68 had been built.
- E-6 Mercury
- A version of the 707-320, it operates as an airborne command post and communications center, relaying instructions from the National Command Authority. Its role in relaying to the fleet ballistic missile submarines gives it the suffix TACAMO ("Take Charge and Move Out"). Only one version of the E-6 currently exists, the E-6B. The E-6B is an upgraded version of the E-6A that now includes a battlestaff area for the USSTRATCOM Airborne Command Post
- E-8 Joint STARS
- The E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) is a USAF airborne battle management and command and control (C2) platform that conducts ground surveillance to develop an under standing of the enemy situation and to support attack operations and targeting that contributes to the delay, disruption and destruction of enemy forces.
Variants of other militaries
File:Boeing 707 refuelling MB-339.JPG
An Italian Air Force Boeing 707T/T refuel two MB-339 in a demonstration
- CC-137 Husky
- Canadian Forces designation for the 707-347C.
- KC-137
- of Brazilian Air Force[3][4]
- 707T/T
- The 707 Tanker/Transport. Italy purchased and converted four 707s, two to tankers and two to a straight freighter. No 707 tankers remains operational as of 3 April 2008.[5] Also, Omega Air operates K707 tankers for lease.[6]
- Sentry AEW1
- The Royal Air Force designation for seven E-3D AWACS aircraft.
- KE-3A
- The Royal Saudi Air Force purchased eight E-3 airframes configured as aerial refueling tankers.
- Condor
- Airborne Early Warning, Command and Control (AEWC&C) aircraft developed in conjunction with Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) using a former Lan Chile aircraft.
Operators
Specifications (VC-137C)
General characteristics
- Length: 152 ft 11 in (46.61 m)
- Wingspan: 145 ft 9 in (44.42 m)
- Height: 42 ft 5 in (12.93 m)
- Wing area: 3010 ft² (279.63 m²)
- Empty weight: 98,466 lb (44,663 kg)
- Loaded weight: 297,000 lb (135,000 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 327,000 lb (148,325 kg)
- Powerplant: 4× Pratt & Whitney TF-33-PW-102 turbofan engines , 18,000 lbf (80 kN) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 627 mph (1009 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 600 mph (966 km/h)
- Range: 7,610 mi (12,247 km)
- Service ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,200 m)
- Rate of climb: 4,900 ft/min (1,490 m/min)
See also
Related development
- VC-137C SAM 26000
- VC-137C SAM 27000
- Boeing 707
- C-135 Stratolifter
- KC-135 Stratotanker
- Boeing CC-137
- E-3 Sentry
- E-6 Mercury
- E-8 Joint STARS (JSTARS)
Comparable aircraft
Lists relating to aviation | |
|---|---|
| General | Timeline of aviation · Aircraft · Aircraft manufacturers · Aircraft engines · Aircraft engine manufacturers · Airports · Airlines |
| Military | Air forces · Aircraft weapons · Missiles · Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) · Experimental aircraft |
| Notable incidents and accidents | Military aviation · Airliners · General aviation · Famous aviation-related deaths |
| Records | Flight airspeed record · Flight distance record · Flight altitude record · Flight endurance record · Most produced aircraft |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Gunston, Bill: The Encyclopedia of Modern Warplanes, page 64. Aerospace Publishing Ltd, 1995. ISBN 1-56619-908-5
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Model Designation of Military Aerospace Vehicles, United States Department of Defense, DoD 4120.15L
- ↑ "Estimating KC-137 Aircraft Ownership Costs in the Brazilian Air Force", Defense Technical Information Center
- ↑ Brazilian Air Force information at Milavia
- ↑ Aeronautica Militare official site
- ↑ Omega K707 Civilan Tanker
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
Template:Boeing support aircraft
Template:USAF transports Template:US transport aircraft
Lists relating to aviation | |
|---|---|
| General | Timeline of aviation · Aircraft · Aircraft manufacturers · Aircraft engines · Aircraft engine manufacturers · Airports · Airlines |
| Military | Air forces · Aircraft weapons · Missiles · Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) · Experimental aircraft |
| Notable incidents and accidents | Military aviation · Airliners · General aviation · Famous aviation-related deaths |
| Records | Flight airspeed record · Flight distance record · Flight altitude record · Flight endurance record · Most produced aircraft |
| This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Boeing C-137 Stratoliner". |
