Editing Transall C-160 (section)

==Design==

===Overview===
[[File:C-160 landing on strip 2007.JPEG|thumb|C-160 on a rough landing strip, 1985]]

The Transall C-160 is a twin-engine tactical transport featuring a cargo hold, a rear-access ramp beneath an upswept tail, a high-mounted wing and turboprop engines. The C-160 is designed to perform cargo and troop transport duties, aerial delivery of supplies and equipment and is designed to be compatible with international railway [[loading gauge]]s to simplify cargo logistics and loading.<ref name="wilson68 p615"/> In flight the cargo area is pressurised and kept at a constant temperature by integrated air conditioning systems.<ref name="Wache-100">Wache 2004, p. 100.</ref>
[[File:Landing gear&APU C-160 AirExpo 2008.jpg|thumb|The [[auxiliary power unit]] and port-side main [[landing gear]] of a ''Luftwaffe'' C-160, 2008]]
Additionally, the landing gear can be partially retracted while on the ground. This lowers the C-160, making it easier to move vehicles into the hold as they don't need to climb a ramp.

One aspect of the C-160 that made the type well suited to tactical operations is its short airfield performance, including the ability to perform steep descents of up to 20 degrees and perform landings on airstrips as short as 400 meters.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1979/1979%20-%200063.html "Transall – Strategy behind a tactical aircraft"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403182528/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1979/1979%20-%200063.html |date=2015-04-03 }} ''Flight International'', 1979.</ref> In the airlift role, a later production C-160 could carry up to 8.5 tons across a distance of 5,000 kilometers, and take off from airstrips as short as 700 meters.<ref name ="rcp 96-97"/> Dependent upon aircraft configuration, a single aircraft could airdrop as many as 88 [[paratrooper]]s or transport up to 93 equipped troops.<ref name ="rcp 96">Rouvez, Coco and Paddack 1994, p. 96.</ref>

The C-160 is powered by a pair of [[Rolls-Royce Tyne]] turboprop engines, which drive a pair of four-bladed [[Dowty Rotol]] propellers.<ref name="wilson68 p615"/> Advantages of the twin-engine configuration over four include reduced unit and production cost, lower weight and fuel consumption, simplified design and reliability. Each engine is equipped with an auxiliary generator system, providing the aircraft with both electricity and hydraulic pressure.<ref name="Wache-96">Wache 2004, p. 96.</ref> An [[auxiliary power unit]] ([[General Electric CJ610]]) is used to power the aircraft while on the ground, and for rare use in mid-air emergencies.<ref name="Wache-97">Wache 2004, p. 97.</ref>

===Upgrades and improvements===
An updated second generation of the C-160 was produced during the 1980s. Amongst changes made, the new variant was equipped with additional fuel tankage, aerial refuelling probes and enhanced avionics.<ref name ="chant 472"/> While there were considerable changes to instrumentation, including the navigational and autopilot systems, the second generation C-160 retained the original operating characteristics to simplify crew transfers between types. The second generation C-160s were also designed for potential adaptation to other roles such as maritime patrol and aerial fire fighting.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1980/1980%20-%203472.html?search=transall "C-160 "Military – Fixed Wing."] ''Flight International'', 15 November 1980. p. 1885.</ref>

[[File:50+61 German Air Force Transall C-160D ILA Berlin 2016 17.jpg|thumb|left|A [[German Air Force]] Transall at [[ILA Berlin Air Show|ILA]] 2016]]
The C-160 proved to be a versatile aircraft, leading to a long operational service life. Between its introduction and 1999, approximately 2000 modifications and upgrades were incorporated upon the type, split 60/40 between the structure and equipment respectively.<ref name="blum 4">Blumschein 1999, p. A26-4.</ref> Many changes were made over time in regards to the aircraft's avionics, incorporating new features such as [[GPS]] and laser inertial navigation systems, modern autopilot and crew management systems.<ref name="blum 4-5">Blumschein 1999, p. A26-4-5.</ref>

Other improvements and additions to the type include [[kevlar]] armour, electronic warfare management systems, chaff/flare dispensers, missile approach warning systems and [[TCAS]] collision warning system.<ref name="blum 4-5"/> Extensive efforts have been made by both France and Germany to extend the aircraft's operating lifespan up to and if necessary beyond 55 years to 2018.<ref name="blum 1-3">Blumschein 1999, p. A26-1-3.</ref> In 2003–2004, Germany signed separate contracts with [[Terma A/S]] and [[Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems|Northrop Grumman]] to upgrade the aircraft's electronic warfare self-protection and [[Missile Approach Warning|missile approach warning systems]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Terma Signs $16 Million Contract With EADS For C-160 EW/Protection Suites.(Brief Article)|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-111535786.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222031706/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-111535786.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 February 2016|work=Defense Daily|publisher=Access Intelligence|access-date=4 March 2013|date=18 November 2003}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Fiszer, Michal|title=Luftwaffe Transalls receiving modernized countermeasures suites.(EUROPEAN REPORT)(Northrop Grumman Corp. bags a contract)|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-126317463.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222051017/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-126317463.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 February 2016|work=Journal of Electronic Defense|publisher=Horizon House Publications |access-date=4 March 2013|date=1 May 2004}}</ref>
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