Quote:
Originally Posted by MoosePileit
Thread Hijack for a minute, but I'll keep it saucy...
W/O requoting the af.mil facts- which are bit too black and white/dry in comparing the KC-10 to a C-17. Folks can't jump out of a KC-10, which drove a lot of the C-17 design and funding. I know the guys that got the KC-10 from idea to paper to greenbacks to the line in SAC. BUT....taking the 82nd Abn 1/2 way around the world and watching them shuffle and hop is strategic, even if it's more of a design goal and very occasional deal rather than something we do everyday. Trying to move 18 pallets w/ the same aircraft that does airdrops and short landings suffers in the fuel bill arena.
The KC-10 needs downloading equipment the C-17 or other transporters deliver, at least at the start of an operation/opening a port- if you don't recall, ask about the mid-90's ORI debacle out at Roswell from WRI.
The KC-10 is also a jack of all trades when the ports can handle the distance up to the cargo deck, if the porters are gentle w/ the insides. Over the years it has made up for T-Tail shortages, and the crews have maintained a bit more of the "Gucci" lifestyle than the T-tails.
The C-17 does its 18 pallets down in about 10 minutes in the AOR. I've offloaded 8 vehicles and been airborne in the AOR in under 20 minutes, and I won't tell here to just how fast it really was! Strategic and Tactical Blur, just keeping passing us the gas!
Military airlifters are military airlifters. Ive been extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to fly the KC-10, C-17, and 747 classic. Heres my subjective ranking:
1. KC-10
2. 747
3. C-17 (Distant third place)
certifying the c-17 and making it a bc-17 would be fine if they outsourced combat flying to contracters, not just the AMC missions that are currently being contracted out. who knows maybe thats coming in the future?
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01-09-2024
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