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Boeing YC-14

The YC-14 was designed in the early 1970s as a possible replacement for the C-130.  It and the McDonnell-Douglas YC-15 competed in U.S. Air Force tests during 1976 and 1977.  While both aircraft performed well, neither one was selected for production.  Instead, the Air Force settled on an improved version of the C-130.  The YC-14 introduced several new technologies and techniques in aircraft design, the most obvious of them is the positioning of the jet engines to exhaust over the top of the wing.  This, along with specially designed flaps, allows the jet thrust to provide additional lift, giving the plane a very impressive short-field performance and allowing it to land at as little as 99 miles per hour.

Wingspan

129 ft

Length

131 ft 8 in.

Height

48 ft 2 in.

Weight

249,000 lbs (loaded)

Cruising Speed

472 MPH

Maximum Altitude

30,000 ft

Range

3,000 miles

Engines

Two General Electric CF6-50D turbofans with 51,000 pounds of thrust each

Crew

3 flight crew, 150 troops

Manufacturer
Boeing

Markings
Boeing/Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB, California, 1977

Serial Number
72-1873

Designation
YC-14