NationStates | Dispatch | C137 Dakota II

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by The Most Catholic Diarchy of Miklania. 8 years 27 days ago. 327 reads.

The C137 Dakota II is a medium transport designed to haul airborne forces, light vehicles, and cargo across the country or halfway around the region. The C137 is a reliable and cost effective solution for militaries around the region. The latest models include powerful new engines with state of the art high efficiency propellers.

Design and Development

The C137 was originally created in the mid 60's to replace rapidly aging DC-3 Dakotas and Curtiss Commandos. While the same size as the Douglas and the Commando, it was more capable of hauling the payloads that the Miklanian Air Force needed it to carry. New turboprop engines and improved flap designs allowed the aircraft to go where it's larger predecessors could not, and take off in incredibly short spaces. The MAF was impressed with the short takeoff and landing performance, the significantly lighter weight, and incredible speed of the new design. The first YC137 was built by General Miklanian and delivered for testing in less than three weeks. The brilliant new design quickly proved it's worth and was ordered into production on June 14th, 1965.

Over the next several decades GM improved the design with new engines, avionics, and increased cargo capacity. The latest model is the C137-10, larger and more capable than any of it's predecessors.

The C137-10 features an enlarged cargo area capable of carrying a packaged Jet Ranger sized aircraft. Light vehicles such as the Humvee, MRAP, and Growler are all transportable. One of the main roles of the Dakota II family is to deliver paratroopers into battle. The C137-10 can transport 46 fully equipped paratroopers in safer seats than previous models. The floor of the C137-10 has a non-slip texture to prevent crew members and troops from falling while moving around in flight. The floor also has a modern cargo management system built into it, allowing for rapid loading and unloading of cargo, and zero shift within the aircraft after ti has been properly secured.

GM exports a model fitted with probe and drogue refueling pods on the wings and large internal fuel tanks to nations that require a cost effective tanker that can refuel fighter aircraft as well as helicopters. The KC137-10 was originally marketed to the Xrevaro Air Force, and has since been adopted in limited numbers by the Miklanian Marine Corps.

AC137 gunship models have used several weapons over the years. Current AC137-10 gunships offered by General Miklanian feature a single 25mm GAU-12 Equalizer or 30mm GAU-23/A cannon in the front left door of the aircraft, and a single 40mm L/60 Bofors cannon in the rear left side drop door. "J" model gunships are fitted with hard points for quad AGM-114 Hellfire racks underneath the wings. This provides the aircraft with a standoff attack capability. Tubes for deploying Griffin Missiles, either the powered or non-powered versions are fitted inside the aircraft. These missiles are extremely small, precise, and affordable, with very low collateral damage. AC137-10s are fitted with state of the art optics and targeting radars for accurate fire day or night in all weather conditions.

The MC137-10 is a full featured multi-mission variant designed for special operations support. GM has fitted it with advanced sensors and avionics for low level night flying, and weapons packages including a 30mm cannon in the rear door are available for providing special operations crews with direct fire support.

The EC137-10 is fitted with advanced electronic warfare and PSYOPS equipment. The EC137-10 carries on-board equipment for monitoring and jamming communications. Recent upgrades have given them the ability to broadcast messages over TV and radio waves allowing operators to spread propaganda in warfare, public service announcements in disasters, or as one enterprising crew figured out, reruns of M*A*S*H.

Avionics and powerplant

The avionics package of the C137-10 is much more impressive than in previous models of the aircraft. The "Dash 10" features a full glass cockpit, heads up displays, advanced weather and navigation radar, encrypted military communications and navigation sets, and an assortment of optional self defense packages. The standard MAF model has 360 degree missile approach warning sensors, radar warning receivers, and active jamming suites. Chaff and flare dispensers are fitted as standard equipment.

General Miklanian manufacturers all of the avionics used on MAF standard C137s, but it is possible to integrate alternative or locally made equipment for export customers.

The Dash 10 is powered by two Prance-Royce AE 1200 turboprop engines, driving advanced six bladed propellers. These engines are more reliable, more efficient, and more powerful than the previous powerplants for the Guardian and are among the best in their class. Each produces 4,720 hp. The engines feature full digital controls, real time status monitoring, automated diagnostics, and are of a very simple design meant to be easily maintained with minimal support equipment.

Operators

Miklania - 22 (C137-10); 4 (KC137-10); 6 (MC137-10); 3 (AC137-10)