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Overview
The C-160 Transall first flew in 1963. Production was completed in 1972, but in
1977 the program was reinstated to produce a "new generation" C-160 for France. The last of these
new generation aircraft entered service in 1987. The wings are high-mounted and equally tapered
outboard of the two turboprop engines, which are mounted under and extend beyond the wings’ leading
edges. The fuselage is long, thick, and tapered to the rear with an upswept tail section.
Originally conceived as a replacement for the Nord Noratlas, which equipped
French and West German transport units, the C-160 was one of the first successful joint European
aerospace ventures, being produced by a consortium of companies which was collectively known as the
Transport Allianz group. Indeed, the name and designation chosen for the resulting machine reflected
the origins of the project — Transall was merely a contraction of Transport Allianz.
The initial quantity to be acquired was set at 160 aircraft; 50 C-160F models for France and 110
C-160D models for West Germany. Members of the original production group included Nord-Aviation,
Hamburger Flugzeugbau (HFB) and Vereinigte Flugtechnische Werke (VFW), these joining forces at the
beginning of 1959.
Three prototypes were built, one by each of the three major partners in this
venture, and the first of these made a successful maiden flight on 25 February 1963. They were
followed by six pre-production examples from May 1965, while production-configured C-160s began to
emerge in the spring of 1967; by the time manufacture ceased in 1972 a total of 169 aircraft had
been built. In addition to the 160 examples supplied to the two principal partners, nine more of a
variant known as the C-160Z were sold to South Africa. The only other air arm to operate the
original type was Turkey, which took delivery of 20 C-160T aircraft (former Luftwaffe examples) in
the early-1970s.
Subsequently, at the end of the 1970s, it was decided to reopen the production
line in France, that country's air force ordering 25 C-160NG models (Nouvelle Génération) which
differ from their predecessors by virtue of additional fuel capacity and improved avionics. Range
limitations have been partly resolved by the extra center-section fuel tank, but the newest C-160s
also feature inflight refueling capability in the form of a probe above the cockpit. Four more
C-160NGs were added in 1982, and production ended in 1985. Ten aircraft were completed with a
hose-drum unit in the port undercarriage sponson for refueling tactical aircraft, and five more
have provision for the fitment of this feature so that they can be rapidly re-roled as tankers.
The Transall's maximum payload is 35,275 pounds (16,000kg), while 93 troops or 62
litters can be accommodated — the aircraft wheels can be raised in order to lower the fuselage for
loading and unloading. Loads up to 17,637 pounds (8,000kg) can be air dropped. The aircraft can
carry out low altitude drops at between 10 and 30 feet (3 to 9m), and touch and go drops in which
the aircraft briefly touches the runway without landing.
Upgrade Programs
In 1994, an upgrade program for French Air Force C-160s which was completed in
1999. The upgraded cockpit is equipped with a new head0-up display and an upgraded electronic
warfare suite with a radar warning receiver, missile approach warner and chaff and decoy dispensers.
The aircraft have been fitted with a new EFIS 854 TF Electronic Flight
Instrumentation System, which includes Electronic Attitude Director Indicator (EADI) and Electronic
Horizontal Situation Indicator (EHSI). A flight management system with two Gemini 10 computers and a
new radio management system have been installed. Three new sensors have been installed for aircraft
position and attitude control: an inertial reference unit (IRU) an attitude and heading reference
unit (AHRU) and a global positioning system (GPS).
German Air Force C-160Ds have been upgraded with BAE SYSTEMS High Integration Air
Data Computer (HIADC), Litton ALR-68 radar warning systems and Rockwell FMS-800 Flight Management
and Global Positioning System.
C-160G Gabriel
The C-160G Gabriel configures an ELINT subsystem provided by Thomson-CSF Radars
& Contre-Mesures for detection, analysis and location of radar sources with a COMINT subsystem
provided by Thomson-CSF Communications for detection, interception, classification, listening-in,
analysis and location of radio transmitters. Thomson-CSF Radars & Contre-Mesures has also
developed complete SIGINT electronic intelligence systems for integration on board the C-160 and
similar aircraft.
Special features include wingtip pods with UHF/DF blade antennas, a group of five
large blade antennas on top of the forward fuselage, a blister fairing on each side of the rear
fuselage, and a retractable dome, under the forward fuselage.
C-160H Astarte
Four communications relay aircraft, designation C-160H Astarte (Avion STAtion
Relais de Transmissions Exceptionelles), have been delivered to the French Air Force since 1987. The
aircraft’s main mission is communications with the submerged nuclear ballistic missile submarines of
the French fleet. The aircraft are equipped with unjammable VLF communications including a Rockwell
VLF transmitter and a Thomson-CSF communications center. The VLF system includes dual trailing wire
antennae.
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