Anchelli Pelican
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| Anchelli Pelican | |
|---|---|
| |
| Role | Strategic and tactical airlifter |
| Designer | Anchelli Aerodynamics |
| First flight | 5 August 1992 |
| Introduction | 23 March 1997 |
| Status | In service |
| Primary user | Belfrasian Air Force See Operators |
The Anchelli Aerodynamics Pelican is a large military transport aircraft designed by Anchelli Aerodynamics for service with the Belfrasian Air Force. The four turbofan engined aircraft was designed to be able to carry large and oversized payloads either on strategic or tactical airlifting duties with the ability to utilise small airfields and be able to conduct quick turnarounds. The highly modifiable interior of the aircraft has led it to be highly popular for the Air Force as an airlifter, with the much larger Atlas fleet being freed for carry oversized or outsized cargo.
The Pelican aircraft of today has been upgraded to be fully capable of providing rapid strategic delivery of troops and cargo to main operating bases or forward operating bases within areas of operation around the globe. The same aircraft is capable of conducting tactical airlift and combat airdrop missions when required, proving it's remarkable flexibility and performance.
Design
Following the success of the Anchelli Atlas, one of the worlds largest strategic airlifters, Anchelli were contracted to produce an aircraft capable of combining the heavy load-lifting capabilities of the Atlas with the ability of the [[Wikipedia: Lockheed C-130 Hercules|Continental Perseus]] to land close to front lines on rough and unprepared fields. The resulting aircraft followed a traditional transport layout with a circular fuselage, high mounted wings, and a rear loading cargo ramp. An example with a front lifting nose for a cargo ramp was rejected after consideration as unnecessary. Despite some significant production delays and bouts of miscommunication between the Belfrasian Military Council and Anchelli, the resulting Pelican airlifter is a very capable design incorporating a number of advanced features.
Variants
- Pelican C.1
- Initial version of Pelican in service, remains in limited service with Federation Guard units and foreign buyers. Version capable of airlifting equipment, troops, paratroopers, and casualties over continental ranges from rough strips with ease.
- Pelican C.2
- Upgraded variant with extended range thanks to center wing tank. Also features new-age glass architecture and rearranged cockpit setup to allow easier access to control panels during flight without changing seating position. Also includes more powerful engines and a larger flap assembly, allowing quicker take-offs or shorter landings from smaller airstrips closer to areas of operation
- Pelican C.2A
- Quickly introduced and retrofitted from the C.2 fleet with engine malfunction problems fixed following fatal crash in 2004. New engine design from Anchelli decreases chance of blade dislodge greatly.
- Pelican C.3
- Introduced in 2015, the C.3 features new flaps, blanded winglets, upgraded avionics packages and a specialised inflation/deflation system for tires allowing for operations on rougher airfields.
- Pelican KC.1
- Initial tanker variant, utilises the center wing tank plus a connection system to link to specialised fuel tank pallets to two under-wing booms and an attachable rear-door boom.
Foreign variants
Operators
Specifications
<imgur thumb="yes" w="300" comment="Schematic view of the Pelican.">0klpb1f.gif</imgur> General characteristics
- Crew: 3 (2 pilots, 1 loadmaster)
- Capacity:
- Length: 53 m (174 ft) ()
- Wingspan: 51.75 m (169.8 ft) ()
- Height: 16.8 m (55 ft) ()
- Empty weight: 128,100 kg (282,400 lb) ()
- Max. takeoff weight: 3,265,350 kg (7,198,860 lb) ()
- Powerplant: 4 × Augment-Rheyling 40400 turbofans
Performance
- Maximum speed: 570 mph (920 km/h)
- Range: 5,060 mi (8,140 km) w/ 40,823 kg of cargo ()
- Service ceiling: 45,000 ft (13,715 m)