Boeing CC-137
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| CC-137 | |
|---|---|
 A Canadian Armed Forces Boeing 707 (CC-137) |
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| Type | Military transport aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Boeing |
| Maiden flight | 1970 |
| Introduced | 1972 |
| Retired | 1997 |
| Primary user | Canadian Forces |
| Number built | 5 |
| Developed from | Boeing 707 |
| Variants | C-137 Stratoliner |
The CC-137 is the designation for five Boeing 707-347C transport aircraft which served with the Canadian Forces from 1970 to 1997. The aircraft provided long range passenger transport for the military, VIP transport for government and air to air refueling for fighters such as the CF-116 Freedom Fighter and CF-18 Hornet. It was replaced by the Airbus CC-150 Polaris in the transport role. Presently, Lockheed C-130 Hercules transports provide a compromised platform for air refuelling but future conversions of the CC-150 Polaris will allow for a high-speed option.
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[edit] Design and development
During the 1960s, the Royal Canadian Air Force set out a requirement to replace the aging fleet of Canadair CC-106 Yukons and Canadair CC-109 Cosmopolitan transports. Initially, the Boeing KC-135 was being considered because the versatile design could also fulfill a yet-unspecified aerial refuelling role. [1]Although a "purpose-built" aircraft would have suited the RCAF requirements better, an opportunity to acquire Boeing 707s as an alternative, soon presented itself. [2]
[edit] Operational history
Canada purchased five Boeing 707s in 1970 (which had been built for Western Airlines but the order was subsequently cancelled) to replace the RCAF's CC-106 Yukons in the long range transport role and the CC-109 Cosmopolitan as an executive or short-range transport.[3] To fulfil Canada's requirements for aerial refueling, two aircraft were fitted with Beechcraft made probe and drogue refueling pods in 1972.[4] The two sets of refuelling equipment was moved from aircraft to aircraft to keep fleet utilization even between the airframes.
The CC-137 fleet had a combined total of 191,154 hours, remaining in service in the transport role until 1995, with two aircraft continuing in use as tankers until 1997.[5][4]
[edit] Operators
[edit] Specifications (CC-137)
Data from Boeing CC137 (707-347C)[6]
General characteristics
- Crew: 3
- Capacity: 170 passengers
- Payload: 90,000 lb (41,000 kg)
- Length: 152 ft 11 in (46.61 m)
- Wingspan: 145 ft 9 in (44.42 m)
- Height: 42 ft 5 in (12.93 m)
- Wing area: 3,010 ft² (280 m²)
- Empty weight: 140,000 lb (63,569 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 327,000 lb (148,000 kg)
- Powerplant: 4× Pratt & Whitney JT3D-7 turbofans, 19,700 lb (87.6 kN) each
Performance
- Cruise speed: 618 mph (537 knots, 994 km/h)
- Range: 7,638 mi (6,636 nm, 12,290 km)
- Service ceiling 39,000 ft (12,000 m)
[edit] See also
Related development
Related lists
[edit] References
[edit] Notes
[edit] Bibliography
- Bowers, Peter M. Boeing Aircraft since 1916. London: Putnam, 1989. ISBN 0-85177-804-6.
- Stachiw, Anthony L. Boeing CC137 (707-347C). St. Catharine's, Ontario, Canada: Vanwell Publishing Ltd., 2004. ISBN 1-55125-079-9.
[edit] External links
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