Boeing NC-135
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The Boeing NC-135 is a version of the C-135 Stratolifter, modified to operate on several different programs.
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[edit] Missions and versions
[edit] Readiness Program
In support of the U.S. Test Readiness Program that was initiated in response to the Limited Test Ban Treaty (LTBT) of 1963, Sandia National Laboratories configured three NC-135 aircraft as flying laboratories to support atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons, should testing have resumed. These aircraft were based at Kirtland Air Force Base. Work was initiated in 1963 and the aircraft remained in service with Sandia until 1976, flying principally for Sandia, the Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.[1] The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) maintained controlling oversight of the NC-135 flight test aircraft. After 1976, the aircraft flew for Air Force Weapons Laboratory.[2]
[edit] Airborne astronomy missions
While flying simulations for the Test Readiness Program, the science teams assigned to the NC-135 aircraft realized that their flying laboratories could be effectively used to study solar eclipses, cosmic rays entering the atmosphere and the effects of magnetic fields in the ionosphere. Program scientists petitioned the AEC to allow for a program-with-in-a-program to use the aircraft for such scientific research. The petition was approved, and research continued through 1975.[2][3]
The first eclipse mission took place from Pago Pago in 1965, and flying in conjunction with several other science aircraft, one of the NC-135s managed to fly within eclipse totality for 160 seconds, providing valuable science data. Eclipse missions were also flown in 1970, 1972, 1973, 1979 and 1980.[2]
[edit] Big Crow
Big Crow is the designation of the two NKC-135 test-bed aircraft (55-3132 and 63-8050) heavily modified for electronic warfare testing, and to be used as a target simulator for flight testing the Boeing YAL-1 Airborne Laser (ABL).[4] On March 15, 2007, the YAL-1 successfully fired this laser in flight, hitting its target. The target was the NKC-135E Big Crow 1 test aircraft that has been specially modified with a "signboard" target on its fuselage. The test validated the system's ability to track an airborne target and measure and compensate for atmospheric distortion.[5]
[edit] Other versions
One aircraft, serial 61-2666, has been modified as an NC-135W to test systems and equipment used on other reconnaissance aircraft.[6][7]
[edit] Specifications (C-135)
General characteristics
- Crew: 3: pilot, copilot, boom operator (4 for non-PACER CRAG aircraft)
- Length: 136 ft 3 in (41.53 m)
- Wingspan: 130 ft 10 in (39.88 m)
- Height: 41 ft 8 in (12.70 m)
- Wing area: 2,433 ft² (226 m²)
- Empty weight: 98,466 lb (44,663 kg)
- Loaded weight: 297,000 lb (135,000 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 322,500 lb (146,000 kg)
- Powerplant: 4× (R/T) CFM International CFM-56 turbofan engines, 21,634 lbf (96 kN) each}
- Powerplant: 4× (E) Pratt & Whitney TF-33-PW-102 turbofan engines , 18,000 lbf (80 kN) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 580 mph (933 km/h)
- Range: 3,450 mi (5,550 km)
- Service ceiling 50,000 ft (15,200 m)
- Rate of climb: 4,900 ft/min (1,490 m/min)
[edit] References
- ^ Readiness Program (PDF). Sandia National Laboratories. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
- ^ a b c Mulkin, Barb. In Flight: The Story of Los Alamos Eclipse Missions (PDF). Los Alamos Science. Los Alamos National Laboriatories. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
- ^ Dolci, Wendy (1997). Milestones in Airbornce Astronomy: From the 1920s to the Present (PDF). American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
- ^ RDT&E, DW/04 Advanced Component Development and Prototypes (PDF). Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Exhibit R-2 RDT&E Budget Item Justification. Missile Defense Agency (02 2007). Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
- ^ Grill, Eric M., "Airborne Laser fires tracking laser, hits target", Aerotech News and Review, March 23, 2007, vol 22 issue 8
- ^ DoD 4120.15L Model Designations of Military Aerospace Vehicles
- ^ DOD 4120.15-L - Addendum; MDS Designators allocated after 19 August 1998 (until September 2006)
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