McDonnell Douglas C-9 (Nightingale / Skytrain II)

History

In 1966, the US Air Force needed an aeromedical transport aircraft, which led to an order for the C-9A Nightingale the following year. Aircraft deliveries began in 1968. In 1968-69, the USAF received 21 C-9A Nightingales.

From 1968 to 2005, the aircraft served as special operations missions such as medical evacuation transport and passenger aircraft.

In April 1972, the US Navy placed its first order of five C-9Bs; however, this order was not implemented. In 1976, six aircraft were delivered to the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. The C-9B serves as a convertible cargo and passenger aircraft for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. It was delivered from 1973 to 1976. On June 28, 2014, the last C-9B entered service with the U.S. Navy. This variant is also used by NASA to replace the KC-135.

The outer length of the aircraft is 36.35 meters, the outer height is 4.7 meters, the tail height is 8.5 meters, and the body width is 3.3 meters. The wheelbase is 16.22 meters. It has a wingspan of 28.47 meters and a wing area of ??93 square meters.

The C-9B is also equipped with an avionics weather radar system.

The C-9B is powered by two 14,500 lbf Pratt and Whitney JT8D-9 engines. It is a two-shaft, low-bypass turbofan engine with a single-stage axial fan, a six-stage low pressure, a seven-stage high-pressure compressor, nine annular combustion chambers, and a single-stage high-pressure, three-stage low-pressure turbine .

The takeoff weight of this aircraft is a whopping 49.9895 kg. The landing weight is 44,906 kg and the empty weight is 27,079 kg. It also installed additional fuel tanks under the cargo hold, increasing the range to nearly 2,520 nautical miles.

The maximum speed is 500 knots and the cruising speed is 485 knots.

Specification

Base

Year of Service

1968

Origins

United States

Status

retirement

does not work.

Crew

5

Production

48

Manufacturer

Aeromedical Corporation / McDonnell Douglas - USA

Operator

Kuwait; USA

Roles

Transportation

General transport function for moving supplies/cargo or people (including casualties and VIPs) out of range.

Commercial Aviation

Used in roles serving the commercial aviation market, moving passengers and cargo over long distances.

VIP service

Used in the VIP (Very Important Person) passenger role, usually with above-average amenities and luxury as standard.

Dimensions and Weight

Length

119. 2 feet

(36.34m)

Width/span

93. 2 feet

(28.42m)

Height

27. 4 feet

(8.36m)

MTOW

110,231 lbs

(50,000 kg)

Performance

Installed:

2 x Pratt & Whitney JT8D-9A turbofans, 14,500 lbs each.

Maximum speed

554 km/h

(892 km/h | 482 knots)

Maximum

36,089 feet

(11,000 m | 7 km)

Area

2,998 km

(4,825 km | 8,936 nautical miles)

rate of climb

3,000 ft/min

(914 m/min)

Range (MPH) Subsonic: <614mph | Transonic: 614-921 | Supersonic: 921-3836 | Hypersonic: 3836-7673 | Hypersonic: 7673-19180 | Reentry: > 19030

Variant

C-9A "Nightingale" - USAF Aeromedical Evacuation Platform; 23 examples provided. C-9B "Skytrain II" - USN/USMC Passenger Transport Platform; 24 examples provided. C-9K - Kuwait Air Force Designation; 2 examples provided.