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Home > C-21 Learjet


 

The C-21 is a twin turbofan engine aircraft used for cargo and passenger airlift. The aircraft is the military version of the Learjet 35A business jet. In addition to providing cargo and passenger airlift, the aircraft is capable of transporting litters during medical evacuations.

1 Features

The turbofan engines are pod-mounted on the sides of the rear fuselage. The swept-back wings have hydraulically actuated, single-slotted flaps. The aircraft has a retractable tricycle landing gear, single steerable nose gear and multiple-disc hydraulic brakes.

The C-21 can carry eight passengers and 42 ft³ (1.26 m³) of cargo. The fuel capacity of the C-21 is 931 US gallons (3,538 L) with refueling accomplished at ground level through each wingtip tank. The safety and operational capabilities of the C-21 are increased by the autopilot, color weather radar and tactical air navigation system, as well as high frequency, very high frequency and ultra high frequency radios.

The aircraft has a crew of two and may be flown from either cockpit seat. It is equipped with an automatic navigation system to enhance crew efficiency. Four cathode ray tubes display essential information to the pilots.

2 Background

Delivery of the C-21 fleet began in April 1984 and was completed October 1985. L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace provides full contractor logistics support at 12 worldwide locations.

On April 1, 1997, all continental U.S.-based C-21s were realigned under Air Mobility Command, with the 375th Airlift Wing at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, as the lead command. C-21s stationed outside the continental United States are assigned to the theater commanders.

3 General Characteristics

Primary Function: Passenger and cargo airlift Prime Contractor: Learjet, Inc. Power Plant: Two Garrett TFE-731-2-2B turbofan engines Thrust: 3,500 pounds (16 kN) each engine Length: 48 ft 7 in (14.71 m) Height: 12 ft 3 in (3.71 m) Maximum Takeoff Weight: 18,300 lb (8,235 kg) Wingspan: 39 ft 6 in (11.97 m) Maximum Speed: 530 mph (853 km/h), Mach 0.81, 461 knots at 41,000 ft (12,500 m) Ceiling: 45,000 ft (13,700 m) Fuel Capability: 931 US gallons (3,538 L) (1,120 US gallons (4,256 L) with ferry tanks) Maximum Range: 2,306 miles (3,690 km) Maximum Load: Eight passengers and 3,153 pounds (1,433 kg) of cargo Crew: Two (pilot and co-pilot) Date Deployed: April 1984 Unit Cost: $3.1 million (fiscal 1996 constant dollars) Inventory: Active forces, 74; ANG, 2; Reserve, 0



Modern USAF Series Miscellaneous
C-5 Galaxy Attack-- OA/ A-10The A-10/OA-10 Thunderbolt II often known as the "Warthog," is the first US Air Force aircraft specifically designed for close air support of ground forces. It is a simple, effective and survivable single-seat, twin-engine jet aircraft designed to attack, AC-130H/UThe AC-130 Gunship is an armed variant of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules. The primary missions of the United States Air Force's AC-130H Spectre and AC-130U Spooky gunships are close air support, air interdiction, and force protection. Missions in close air s RC-135V/WRC-135 Rivet Joint Description RoleReconnaissance CrewFive (augmented): three pilots, two navigators Dimensions Length135 ft41. 1 m Wingspan131 ft39. 9 m Height42 ft12. 8 m Wing area2,433 sq ft226 m² Weights Empty98,466 lb44,664 kg Loaded106,306 lb48,220
C-17 Globemaster IIIThe C-17 Globemaster III is a strategic airlifter manufactured by Boeing IDS, used by the United States Air Force and the Royal Air Force. Mission The C-17 Globemaster III is the newest, most flexible cargo aircraft to enter the airlift force. The C-17 is Bomber-- B-52B-52 Stratofortress Description RoleHeavy bomber, missile platform Crew5aircraft commander, pilot, radar navigator, navigator and electronic warfare officer Dimensions Length159 ft 4 in48. 5 m Wingspan185 ft56. 4 m Height40 ft 8 in12. 4 m Wing area4,000 f, -2B-2 Spirit Description RoleMulti-role Heavy bomber CrewTwo Dimensions Length69 ft21 m Wingspan172 ft52. 4 m Height17 ft5. 2 m Wing area> 5,000 ft²> 464. 5 m² Weights Empty~ 158,000 lb71,668 kg Loaded Maximum take-off336,500 lb152,600 kg Powerplant Engines, -1B, F-117A OC-135B
C-20 Gulfstream III Fighter-- F-15/ E, F-16 KC-10, -135
C-21 Learjet Electronic-- E-3, -4B, -8C EC-130E/ J, H HC-130P/ N
C-32 C-22B Transport-- C-5, -17, -141B, -20, -21 MC-130E/ H/ P
C-130 Hercules C-22B, -32, -130, -37A, -40B/C MH-53J/ M
C-141B Starlifter Trainers-- T-1, -37, -38, -43, -6 HH-60G
C-37A Gulfstream V Weather-- WC-130, -135 UH-1N
C-40B/C Clipper UAV-- RQ-1/MQ-1 UAV, Global Hawk U-2S/TU-2S
VC-25

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