US Air Force designation: C-23A
US Army National Guard designation: C-23B
TYPE: Twin-turboprop freight/utility version of 330-200.
PROGRAMME: First flight of prototype 23 December 1982; first EDSA C-23A flown 6 August 1984; all 18 delivered by 6 December 1985; C-23A fleet based at Zweibrücken, Germany, for transporting high priority spares between over 20 peacetime USAF bases in Europe; initial contract included 10 years' logistic support and servicing; deliveries to ArNG began September 1990, first three to Missouri, Puerto Rico and Connecticut National Guard.
CUSTOMERS: Eighteen ordered by US Air Force March 1984, for 10th Military Airlift Squadron (MAC) in EDSA (European Distribution System Aircraft) role; US Department of Army ordered 10 C-23Bs October 1988 to replace DHC-4 Caribous with Army National Guard (mainly to carry Army aviation spares and components between ArNG bases and Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depots, but also suited to passenger, paratrooping and freight paradropping roles).
Civil-registered Sherpa delivered to Venezuelan government to support hydro-electric power development schemes (joined by 360-300 in 1988).
DESIGN FEATURES: Retains features of all-passenger 330-200, allowing utility passenger role; forward freight door and wide-body hold of 330-200 unchanged; power assisted full width rear cargo ramp/door for through loading (operated inside/outside aircraft, and lowered to variety of positions to simplify loading from range of ground equipment); forward baggage compartment of 330-200 retained; standard airline containers can be accommodated in main cabin, up to LD3 size, making aircraft particularly suited to short-haul cargo feeder services; loads can include two half-ton vehicles or bulky cargo; cabin also suitable for specialist role equipment; roller conveyor systems, including optional pallet locks picking up on aircraft's standard seat rails. No passenger cabin windows in C-23A.
ArNG aircraft embody strengthened wings, more powerful 1,061 kW (1,424 shp) PT6A-65AR turboprops and five-blade propellers of Shorts 360, plus uprated landing gear, more advanced flight deck instrumentation and air-openable rear freight doors for supply dropping; ramp upper section retracts inward and upward, while bottom section lowers to provide drop platform; max payload increased to 3,302 kg (7,280 lb).
Following details (except Avionics) apply to C-23B:
ACCOMMODATION: Crew of two on flight deck, plus optional jump seat facility. Dual controls standard. Aircraft air-conditioned throughout. Baggage compartment in nose with external access. Passenger door at rear of cabin on port side. Cargo door at front of cabin on port side. Power assisted full width rear loading ramp/door. In an all-cargo configuration the cabin can accommodate up to seven C08 or four LD3 containers. Cabin floor is flat throughout its length and is designed to support 181 kg (400 lb) per foot run at 610.3 kg/m² (125 lb/sq ft). The locally reinforced centre cabin area is able to carry 272 kg (600 lb) per foot run at 732.4 kg/m² (150 lb/sq ft). A further 272 kg (600 lb) total load can be stowed on the ramp/door. Seat rails can be used as cargo lashing points. Freight loading is facilitated by the low level cabin floor. Alternative loads seating capacity for 30 personnel in airline standard seats; 27 paratroops plus jumpmaster on side facing seats; 15 stretchers plus three attendants; two Land Rover/Jeep class vehicles, various aircraft engines and associated transport dollies.
AVIONICS: Avionics in the C-23As for the US Air Force include single UHF and HF radios, dual VHF-AM/FM, two flight directors, dual VOR/ILS, a Litton LTN-96 ring laser gyro inertial navigation system, Tacan, dual ADF, flight data recorder, cockpit voice recorder, IFF transponder, GPWS, radar altimeter, and a Collins RNS-300 colour weather radar with terrain mapping.
