The British Air Force has demonstrated the "special" property of the C-17 Globemaster III
The American military transport aircraft C-17 Globemaster III has been in service since 1993. Today it is in service with the armies of the United States, Great Britain, Canada and Australia.
Almost all characteristics of the aircraft have been disclosed to date. However, thanks to a recent video from Squadron No. 99 of the Royal Air Force of Great Britain, it became known, as they write in the West, about another "special" ("unique") property of the transport aircraft, namely, the ability to deploy thrust reversers on its engines directly in flight in order to provide fast descent from the existing height.
Typically, the C-17, like most aircraft, uses thrust reverser to deflect airflow up and forward, resulting in more effective braking when landing. At the same time, thanks to this function, the transporter is able to reduce the distance that it requires for a full stop to 900 meters or even less, which allows the aircraft to use relatively short runways.
On the ground, when the engines are idling, the thrust reversers also redirect the jet stream away from the rear of the aircraft, which is especially useful when loading or unloading through a ramp.
With regard to the use of the reverse of the engines in the air, it provides the fastest possible descent of the aircraft from cruising altitude. So, in the description for the video from Squadron No. 99 it is indicated that during the recent maneuver, called Reverse idle tactical descent, the plane dropped from 9 meters to 000 meters in just two minutes. At the same time, the military argues that for the C-1500, this indicator is not the limit of capabilities.
As soon as the reverse thrust is engaged in flight, the pilots ensure that the descent rate of the transporter is maintained by adjusting the position of the aircraft.
- explained in 99th Squadron - the only C-17 operator in the RAF.
Although the command of the British Air Force claims that the aforementioned maneuver is unlikely to be used in emergency situations. However, it can be assumed that this "special" property of a transport aircraft could be useful for a sharp decline during penetration into enemy airspace or even landing at airfields located on enemy territory.
- Vasily Tisha
- https://twitter.com/saltaspotter
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