Armstrong Whitworth AW.681

History

Like the United States Air Force (USAF) in the 1960s, the Royal Air Force (RAF) was looking for a tactically focused, high-performance Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) aircraft to replace its mixed and aging fleet by Blackburn Transportation consisting of Beverly and Handley Page Hasting's aircraft. Between submissions by Hawker Siddeley and Armstrong Whitworth (AW), the AW design was selected as "AW.681" to meet the operational requirements of the development 351.

The project officially began in 1962 (named Hawker Siddeley "HS. 681") with the goal of seeing the first recorded flight sometime in 1966.

AW engineers chose a traditional layout for their new aircraft, with the main aircraft having swept wings and a T-tail. The tail will be raised to accommodate the loading ramp under the tail, and the flight deck will be above the nose as usual. Two engine nacelles (with the ability to deflect thrust) will remain under each wing. The engine of choice became the Rolls-Royce RB. 142 "Medways" with 13,790 lbs of thrust each, another option is Bristol Siddeley "Pegasus" ducted turbofans (18,000 lbs of thrust each) and 18 x RB.

Install 162-64 "ceiling fans" (6,000 lb thrust rating) to cover vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities. The tricycle landing gear will allow ground operation. Blowing the flaps will aid in low altitude control and short field takeoff and landing operations.

Internally, the plane can carry about 35,000 pounds of cargo or 60 combat-ready troops.

Dimensions include a length of 104.1 feet, a wingspan of 134 feet, and a height of 37.9 feet. Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) will be 181,200 lbs. Top speed is estimated at 545 mph, range is up to 4,800 miles, and service is capped at 25,000 feet.

Once AW. Project 681 was supposed to "begin" but was cancelled by the new government (Labour) in February 1965 after reviewing the ongoing military programme. The Royal Air Force then decided to put a fleet of Lockheed C-130 Hercules on the transport mission, marking the official end of the AW. 681 History. After that, the aircraft remained around for a short time as Armstrong-Whitworth tried to sell the same aircraft (without the sophisticated VTOL capability) by combining AW's existing designs.

681 fuselage and empennage with Hawk Siddeley "Nimrod" wings and engines. The idea did not advance.

AW. The 681 product is also known as the Whitworth Gloster Model 681.

Specification

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