ADVANCED THEATER TRANSPORT

Is this odd-looking aircraft the next-generation tactical airlifter? If The Boeing Company has their way, it very well could be. Boeing is advocating a tail-less, turboprop powered, tilt-wing, wide-body aircraft as the replacement for the venerable C-130 tactical transport that has served the United States military so well for nearly half a century. The concept behind the "NOTAIL" ATT is the aircraft's tilt-wing. Boeing plans to design the aircraft so that lift will be generated by the wing itself at all times. While this will rule out VTOL capabilities, it will allow the new airlifter to operate into strips as short as 600 feet - with a 100,000 pound payload. The wingspan and length of the aircraft are less than that of a C-130, while the fuselage is almost twice as wide.

To my way of thinking, the concept is valid, though the slow takeoff and landing speeds - 40-50 knots - will make the airplane highly vulnerable to ground fire in forward areas. Still, such an aircraft has a mission and, considering it's extremely short field capabilities and comparable payload, makes it a far more suitable aircraft for forward area operations than the C-17 (which is now also produced by Boeing.)

Will it fly? That remains yet to be seen.

Click Sam's C-130 Page to return.