DHC-4 Caribou light transport
The Royal Australian Air Force DHC-4 Caribou is a versatile tactical light transport aircraft, capable of very short take-off and landings on unprepared runways. Its main operational role is tactical air transport in support of the Australian Army. The Caribou is operated by No 38 Squadron from RAAF Base Amberley, near Brisbane, and RAAF Base Townsville.
The Caribou is a twin-engined high-wing monoplane with full-span double-slotted Fowler flaps and fully-reversible propellers, which allow it to achieve its trademark steep approach and very short take-offs and landings. The high wing and distinctive high placement of the tail provide easy access to a large cargo compartment, while the low-pressure tyres permit operation on unprepared runways.
It is the last piston-engined aircraft in the Air Force and is our only aircraft to employ the Low Altitude Parachute Extraction System (LAPES), where up to 2000kg of sled-mounted cargo is extracted from the aircraft by a parachute from a metre above the ground.
The Caribou is equipped with GPS satellite navigation and night-vision equipment, giving it the capability to operate in any weather, day or night, to either land or drop soldiers and equipment by parachute with pinpoint accuracy. The Caribou is not pressurised and is not fitted with auto-pilot or weather radar.
Since 1997 the Caribou has participated in famine-relief operations in Papua New Guinea and Irian Jaya during Operations SIERRA, PLES DRAI and AUSINDO JAYA, as well as the tsunami-relief operation in PNG in 1999 and operations in East Timor and the Solomon Islands since 1999.
Although introduced in 1964 and employed in the Vietnam War, the Caribou is still recognised as one of the most capable short-haul transport aircraft in the world.
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| Manufacturer | De Havilland Canada |
|---|---|
| Role | Light tactical transport |
| Crew | Two pilots, flight engineer |
| Engine | Two Pratt and Whitney radials (2000 horsepower each) |
| Airframe | Length: 22.5m height: 9.6m |
| Wingspan | 29m |
| Weight | 15,400kg |
| Speed | 280km/h (cruise) |
| Range | 2000km |
| Ceiling | 28,000 feet or 13,000 feet with passengers |
| Accommodation | 4 tonnes of cargo:
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