Boeing C-18
In June 1981, American Airlines sold eight Boeing 707-323Cs to the U.S. Air Force under the C-18A designation; they were delivered within the same year. One aircraft was used for spare parts, while the remaining seven underwent modification. One aircraft was transferred to Grumman, designated C-18B, based in Melbourne, and used for testing.
Acquisition and Initial Versions
Four aircraft were converted into EC-18B ARIA (Advanced-Range Instrumented Aircraft) to replace older EC-135N models (manufactured in 1966). These machines had the same nose section as the EC-135N, in which a 2.12 m diameter rotating antenna was installed. The EC-18Bs were used as communication relays between satellites and the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.
The new aircraft could carry more mission payload and a crew of 16 to 24 people, depending on the task. Today, all four aircraft serve with the 412th Test Wing (Edwards Air Force Base).
Specialized Roles: ARIA and CMMSA
Two C-18As were converted into EC-18D CMMSA (Cruise Missile Mission Support Aircraft), equipped with the Hughes APG-63 radar. These aircraft operated at Edwards Air Force Base alongside the EC-18Bs as airborne command posts, supporting cruise missile tests in the Nevada range. The EC-18C designation was initially assigned to prototype aircraft created under the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (J-STARS) program; subsequently, two aircraft received the E-8A designation.
Training Variants and Other Designations
Several aircraft were converted into training versions: the TC-18E for pilots and operators of the E-3 AWACS aircraft, and the TC-18F for E-6 pilots.
Technical Specifications
| Modification | С-18А |
| Wingspan, m | 44.42 |
| Aircraft length, m | 46.61 |
| Aircraft height, m | 12.93 |
| Wing area, m2 | 279.64 |
| Empty weight | 61236 |
| Maximum takeoff weight | 148325 |
| Internal fuel, l | 90300 |
| Engine type | 4 Turboprop engines Pratt Whitney TF33 (JT3D-3) |
| Thrust, kN | 4 x 80.07 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 1010 |
| Cruising speed, km/h | 966 |
| Practical range, km | 12248 |
| Operational range, km | 9914 |
| Service ceiling, m | 12800 |
| Crew | 3-4 |
| Payload | 215 passengers or 24709 kg of cargo |
Image and diagram gallery of the Boeing C-18
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