Advanced Medium STOL Transport
The Advanced Medium STOL Transport (AMST) project was intended to replace the Lockheed C-130 Hercules tactical transport in USAF service with a new aircraft with improved STOL performance. Increased need for strategic airlift led the Air Force to cancel the AMST program and seek a larger airlifter.
History
The Advanced Medium STOL Transport project arose from a USAF requirement released in 1968. The official RFP was issued in 1972, asking for a C-130-class aircraft with short take-off and landing capability. This included operating from a 2,000 foot semi-prepared field with a 400 nmi radius with a 27,000 lb payload.[1] The C-130 of that era required about 4,000 ft for this load.
Five companies submitted designs at this stage of the competition. On 10 November 1972 the downselect was carried out, and Boeing and McDonnell Douglas won development contracts for two prototypes each. This resulted in the YC-14 and YC-15, respectively.[2]
Both the YC-14 and YC-15 generally met the specifications of the contest.
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The increasing importance of the strategic vs. tactical mission eventually led the Air Force to conclude that they were better off with an updated C-130. The AMST program was canceled in 1979. In January 1979, the C-X Task Force formed to develop the required strategic aircraft. The C-X program selected a proposal for an enlarged and upgraded YC-15 that was later developed into C-17 Globemaster III.[3]
References
- Kennedy, Betty R. Globemaster III: Acquiring the C-17, Air Mobility Command Office of History, 2004.
- Norton, Bill. Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, Specialty Press, 2001. ISBN 1-58007-061-2.