Cargo Aircraft Bombing System (CABS)

Abstract : From the early days of aviation, bombs typically have been carried by either fighter or bomber aircraft in the inventory. On the other hand, more and more long-range, precision-guided missiles are being produced with ranges that vary from tens to hundreds of miles. With such missiles, targets can be destroyed without placing personnel and equipment into close proximity to the targets. The mass delivery of standoff weapons could be especially advantageous during the early phases of an air campaign. This study considers the use of cargo aircraft for carrying and launching bombs and missiles. It discusses many aspects of a Cargo Aircraft Bombing System (CABS) and provides an overall view. The intention of the study was not to complete design details about CABS, but rather to identify preliminary design concepts that need to be considered in a CABS. The study summarizes current knowledge on CABS and reviews the Air Force's BLU-82 Commando Vault (Daisy Cutter) bomb and the Royal Air Force's Future Offensive Air System (FOAS). Background information (i.e., physical characteristics, performance, and operations) is provided on four carrying platforms, including the C-17, C-141, C-130 and C-5, and four types of precision-guided missiles, including the JSOW, JASSM, SLAM-ER, and LOCAAS. Large numbers of missiles can be carried in cargo aircraft based on operational mass restrictions. Normally, a full load would not be carried in each sortie with CABS. Based on missile and aircraft availability, and a given mission, a particular number of missiles could be carried. The problem is how to place and carry these missiles on board. Three types of carriage and release systems are proposed: Tray/Spring-type carrier/launcher, Rotary-type carrier/launcher, and Tray/Chute Extraction-type carrier/launcher. (15 tables, 26 figures, 95 refs.)