McDONNELL Douglas's (MDC's) Phantom Works has begun design work on a replacement for the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules to meet the US Air Force's projected need for an Advanced Theater Transport beyond 2020.
The tilt-wing design has emerged from the company's advanced transportation group at the Phantom Works to meet future USAF needs.
John Ryan, senior manager technology business development in the Advanced Systems and Technology section at McDonnell Douglas Aerospace, says: "The air force recognises the need for a replacement-It is looking at an in-service date of around 2020 for a C-130 replacement."
Ryan says that one of the key drivers in the proposed design will be the availability of more powerful turboprop engines. He says that a power plant capable of delivering 9,000kW (12,000hp) would be preferable.
The design is roughly the same size as that of the C-130, but is intended to provide improved overall performance. The tilt-wing design would provide a landing/ take-off run in the region of 230m (750ft), compared to the C-130J's 1,050m requirement.
Ryan says that the wing is designed to pivot about the lateral axis close to the rear wing spar. The angle of incidence would vary between 15¡ at take-off to up to 45¡ for landing. Lockheed Martin has also begun to look at future transport requirements, although in the short- to mid-term its aim will be to push its C-130J.
One Advanced Tactical Transport concept so far examined by Lockheed Martin is centred on a large wing-body-blended aircraft with a plan-form similar to that of the USAF's Boeing/Lockheed Martin F-22.
Source: Flight International
