Photo below - Boeing C-17 Heavy-Lift Aircraft                                                                                                               Photo by: Rudolf-Jürgen Hanser

 

As we mentioned before, we propose to utilize the E-4B in uch the same way as FEMA previously has done by deploying it as the first responder aircraft into a disaster area. The aircraft is specially equipped to operate independently for long periods of time and its unique features include sophisticated communications equipment, a conference/projection room, briefing room, operations team room and rest areas. It also has a large galley capable of providing 100 hot meals at a time. To reproduce this from "new" another civilian Boeing 747 would cost in excess of $200 million.

Utilizing the E-4B for the disaster and humanitarian support role is a logical and cost efficient use of a taxpayer provided resource. The beneficial impact it will have in relief operations cannot be ignored. It should also be mentioned here that in order to mitigate any concerns that this is a U.S. military only effort, we would paint the aircraft in our organizations colors. Should the USAF decline to provide this aircraft, we do have other options to consider including the use of modified commercial aircraft such as Boeing 767's and 757's etc.

Note the following unique characteristics from the photo above.

• Self-contained entry door in forward cargo compartment door.
• The ability to be air-refueled as evidenced by the bump on the nose of the aircraft.
• Satellite Radio capability as evidenced by the large blister on the top of the aircraft.

Cargo/Passenger Support Aircraft:

To carry large payloads over long distances, there are three possible candidate aircraft. They are the Boeing 747-400BCF, USAF Lockheed C-5 and the USAF C-17.

Boeing 747-400BCF

Photo above is of a former passenger 747-400 converted to the 400BCF cargo configuration. Note the passenger windows remaining in the upper deck while those of the main deck have been removed.

USAF C-5 Galaxy Cargo Aircraft

The USAF currently has two upgrade programs in work for much of the C-5 fleet. One involves upgrading the aircraft’s radios & navigation equipment called the “AMP” program and the other is to install new GE engines (similar to those found on the E-4B) and improve the airframe’s reliability. That program is called “RERP”. When these upgrades are installed, the aircraft is re-designated as a C-5M and will provide the user with a 22% increase in cargo loads and a planned 34% improvement in cost per flight hour. In addition, the new engines will allow the C-5M to meet stage III noise requirements, a key improvement for community relations.

There are currently two modified C-5's which have the upper-rear passenger accommodations removed to facilitate larger sized cargo such as NASA rockets to be carried. These two aircraft are designated C-5C's and are slated to be re-engined. We feel these C-5C's would be well suited for our operation.

             
Photo above of C-5 unloading cargo truck        Photo above of C-5 M in flight testing                Photo above of modified C-5M flight deck

USAF C-17 Cargo Aircraft

Our proposal works well with the purposes considered by the USAF. The transfer of C-17’s to HAL would allow the USAF to procure newer C-17’s and according to the USAF and C-17 supporters in Congress, will keep the production line open and the procurement cost per unit down. Under the current plan, production will soon come to an end in August 2010. According to recent testimony of the Air Force Secretary, this “gap” in production will cost the USAF billions of tax dollars if they were to re-start production later.

If we were to obtain at least three or more of these C-17’s, we could possibly eliminate the need for C-130’s which we will discuss next. Operating the C-17 would enable HAL to fly supplies, equipment and personnel non-stop from an originating source (such as the U.S.) directly to the disaster area. This would eliminate the need to transload cargo to a C-130 for the short trip to an austere landing site. As evidenced by the picture below, austere airfields are not a problem for the C-17.

Another benefit of the C-17 and C-5 is that they can carry outsize/oversize loads such as helicopters and heavy fuel trucks with the added capability to air refuel or perform air drops. They would compliment the E-4B nicely and provide a reliable platform for an effective and efficient humanitarian airlift operation unequaled in the world.

USAF C-130 Transport Aircraft

For the ability to provide airlift to remote, unimproved short runways we propose to operate the USAF Lockheed C-130 aircraft.

This highly versatile aircraft is critically important because although we can fly the supplies needed from anywhere in the world to an airfield large enough to handle the 747’s, that still may not be where the supplies are actually needed. That is where the C-130’s would come in. They will be able to transfer the supplies from the larger airfield to a smaller one or even air-drop them where they are needed as seen from the picture below.

Photo above of a Bell UH-1N (212) helicopter operated by the USAF

Photo above of a Bell 206L LongRanger