Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!usc!apple!veritas!amdcad!amdcad!military From: crg1!cliffw%sequent.uucp@RELAY.CS.NET (Cliff White) Newsgroups: sci.military Subject: Re: C-17, F-14 vs FA-18 Message-ID: <1991Mar30.020652.28712@amd.com> Date: 29 Mar 91 23:48:53 GMT References: <1991Mar18.132459.14027@cbnews.att.com> <1991Mar20.032310.29056@cbnews.att.com> <1991Mar23.061719.5018@amd.com> Sender: military@amd.com Organization: Sequent Computer Systems, Inc Lines: 29 Approved: military@amd.com From: Cliff White >From: henry@zoo.toronto.edu (Henry Spencer) >Strategic airlifters available only in small numbers always operate from >runways. They are too valuable to risk in combat-zone operations. The >C-5 has almost exactly the same theoretical dirt-strip capability as the >C-17; it has never been allowed to use it. I've heard the following story: (read it in a book, can't recall title) -the 747 was an outground of Boeings (sp?) C-5 entry -the 747 lost in the competition, primarily because they could not meet the short field/dirt field spec. -then the 747 beat the C-5 into production...by about 2 years... -after the fun was over, Lockheed admitted the C-5 couldn't meet the origional landing field spec either.. -so the USAF changed the spec.. I wish i could remember the book title...great story about procurement (think it was 'the C-5A Scandal'...) anybody have more details? -- cliffw