View source for Transall C-160

{{Short description|German/French military transport aircraft}}
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{{Infobox aircraft
 |name = C-160
 |image = File:C-160 Transall Germany 50+95 Neubrandenburg 2013 (9965209624).jpg
 |caption = C-160 of the [[German Air Force]]
 |type = [[Military transport aircraft]]
 |national_origin = [[France]]/[[Germany]]
 |manufacturer = [[Transall]]
 |designer =
 |first_flight = 25 February 1963
 |introduction = [[1967 in aviation|1967]]
 |retired = [[South Africa]] (1997) <br>Germany (2021) <br>France (2022)
 |status = In service with [[Turkish Air Force]]
 |primary_user = [[German Air Force]] (former)
 |more_users = [[French Air and Space Force]] (former) <br />[[Turkish Air Force]]
 |produced = 1965–1985
 |number_built = 214
 |unit cost =
 |variants =
}}

The '''Transall C-160''' is a [[military transport aircraft]], produced as a joint venture between [[France]] and [[Germany]].  "[[Transall]]" is a German abbreviation of the manufacturing consortium ''Transporter Allianz'', comprising the companies of [[Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm|MBB]], [[Aérospatiale]], and [[VFW-Fokker]].<ref>Aircraft, compared and contrasted, p. 145.</ref>

The C-160 was developed during the late 1950s and 1960s with the initial goal of fulfilling the requirements for a modern transport aircraft for both the [[French Air and Space Force|French]] and [[German Air Force]]s. On 25 February 1963, the first prototype performed its [[maiden flight]]; the type entered service four years later. Production was divided between the German and French consortium members; early on, multiple production lines were operated, but this was reorganised to use a single assembly line in [[Toulouse]] during the late 1970s. In addition to the type's domestic sales, the C-160 achieved some success on the export market; such customers included the [[South African Air Force]] and [[Turkish Air Force]] as well as a number of civilian operators.

The C-160 has had a lengthy service life, during which it has provided logistical support during numerous overseas operations, including the [[Turkish invasion of Cyprus|invasion of Cyprus]], the [[South African Border War]], and the [[Gulf War]]. Furthermore, it has adapted to fulfil several specialist roles, such as an [[aerial refueling]] tanker, [[signals intelligence|electronic intelligence]] gathering, and as a communications platform. In French and German service, the C-160 has been replaced by the larger and newer [[Airbus A400M Atlas]],<ref>Hewson, R. ''The Vital Guide to Military Aircraft'' 2nd edition. London: Airlife Publishing Ltd., 2001.</ref> and a small number of [[Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules|Lockheed-Martin C-130J Super Hercules]] during the early twenty-first century. Nevertheless, the C-160 remains in active service more than 60 years after the type's first flight in 1963.

==Development==

===Origins===
In the late 1950s, a requirement arose to replace the [[piston engine|piston-engined]] [[Nord Noratlas]] transports operated by the air forces of both France (''Armée de l'Air'') and Germany (''Luftwaffe''). Keen to encourage industrial co-operation between the two countries, as had happened under a previous arrangement in which Noratlases for German service had been built under license by [[Weser Flugzeugbau]], France and Germany signed an agreement for the development of a Noratlas successor on 28 November 1957. The Italian government also became involved in the project early on to meet their own requirements, however Italy's participation in the fledgling program was soon terminated in favour of the smaller and locally-built [[Aeritalia G.222|Fiat G.222]].<ref name="wilson68 p614"/>

The consortium, "Transporter-Allianz" or Transall, was formed in January 1959 between the French company [[Nord Aviation]] and the German companies Weser Flugzeugbau (which became [[Vereinigte Flugtechnische Werke]] (VFW) in 1964) and [[Hamburger Flugzeugbau]] (HFB) to design and build the new transport.<ref name="wilson68 p614">Wilson ''Flight International'' 25 April 1968, p. 614.</ref><ref name="aijun81 p286">Pletschacher ''Air International'' June 1981, p. 286.</ref> The new aircraft was required to carry a {{convert|16000|kg|lb}} cargo over a range of {{convert|1720|km|nmi mi}} or a load of {{convert|8000|kg|lb|abbr=on}} over a range of {{convert|4540|km|nmi mi|abbr=on}} and be able to operate out of semi-prepared airstrips.<ref name="wilson68 p614-5">Wilson ''Flight International'' 25 April 1968, pp. 614–615.</ref> One prototype was built by each of the production partners, with the first (built by Nord) flying on 25 February 1963, with the VFW and HFB-built prototypes following on 25 May 1963 and 19 February 1964.<ref name="wilson68 p615">Wilson ''Flight International'' 25 April 1968, p. 615.</ref> These were followed by six pre-production examples, stretched by {{convert|20|in|cm|order=flip}} compared with the prototypes, which flew between 1965 and 1966.<ref name="wilson68 p616">Wilson ''Flight International'' 25 April 1968, p. 616.</ref>

===Production===
Production orders were delayed by attempts by [[Lockheed Corporation|Lockheed]] to sell its [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules|C-130 Hercules]] transport to Germany; these attempts were rebuffed, and a contract was signed for 160 C-160s (110 for Germany and 50 for France) on 24 September 1964. Manufacturing work was split between Germany and France in line with the number of orders placed; Nord built the wings and engine nacelles, VFW the centre fuselage and horizontal tail, and HFB the forward and rear fuselage. The aircraft's tail fin was to be built by [[Dornier Flugzeugwerke|Dornier]]. Three production lines were set up to assemble these components at each of the three main partners.<ref name="aijun81 p286"/><ref name="wilson68 p616"/>

The first production airframes were delivered to France and Germany from 1967.<ref name="wilson68 p616"/> The first batch included 110 ''C-160D''s for the German Air Force (''Luftwaffe''), 50 ''C-160F''s for the [[French Air and Space Force|French Air Force]], and nine ''C-160Z''s for the [[South African Air Force]]. Four C-160Fs were converted to ''C-160P'' air mail transport aircraft, and were operated by [[Air France]].<ref name="aijun81 p289">Pletschacher ''Air International'' June 1981, p. 289.</ref> Production continued until October 1972.<ref name="aijun81 p286"/> Britain expressed interest in both procuring and manufacturing C-160s; while talks took place between Transall, the [[British Aircraft Corporation]], and the British Government, the C-130 was opted for instead.<ref name="wilson68 p617">Wilson ''Flight International'' 25 April 1968, p. 617.</ref>

In July 1977, France placed an order for 25 aircraft to be built to an improved standard.<ref name="aijun81 p285">Pletschacher ''Air International'' June 1981, p. 285.</ref> Production work for the new variant was split 50-50 between [[Aérospatiale]] (the successor to Nord) and [[Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm|MBB]] (which had absorbed VFW and HFB), with a single assembly line in [[Toulouse]]. The cargo loading door on the port side of the fuselage was replaced by provision for additional fuel tanks in the wing centre section. When fitted these tanks increased fuel capacity from {{convert|4190|impgal|L|order=flip}} to {{convert|6170|impgal|L|order=flip}}. The aircraft were also fitted with updated avionics.<ref name="aijun81 p286-7">Pletschacher ''Air International'' June 1981, pp. 286–287.</ref> The first second generation C-160 took flight in 1981.<ref name ="chant 472">Chant 1987, p. 472.</ref> Aircraft produced in this batch included 29 for France (an additional four non-standard aircraft were constructed for special missions), and 6 for Indonesia.<ref name="blum 2">Blumschein 1999, p. A26-2.</ref>

==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>
{{clear}}

==Operational history==
[[File:C-160 Transall doing a Sarajevo Landing.jpg|thumb|right|A C-160 performing a steep descent prior to landing, 2005]]

In July 1974, the Turkish Air Force used 7 C-160Ds during the [[Turkish invasion of Cyprus|invasion of Cyprus]], to transport troops, drop paratroopers and carry supplies. Having entered service with the Turkish armed forces in 1971, these aircraft provided a great amount of lift during the operation.<ref>Kibris Icin Havalandilar: G - Gunu, Levent Basara - Serhat Guvenc, Page: 63 - Kronik Kitap</ref>

In April 1976, the French Air Force used 12 C-160s in support of [[Shaba I|Operation Verveine]], airlifting Moroccan troops and equipment to [[Zaïre]] during a border conflict with [[Angola]].<ref name="airbritain" />  In May 1978, several C-160s dropped paratroopers of the [[French Foreign Legion]] during the [[Battle of Kolwezi]].<ref name="airbritain" />

In 1977, the French Air Force ordered an updated version designated ''C-160NG'', for ''Nouvelle Génération'' ("New Generation"). From 1981, 29 of these aircraft were delivered, half of them configured as [[tanker aircraft]] for [[aerial refuelling]]. Another four were configured as ''C-160H Astarté'' [[TACAMO]] aircraft for communication with submerged [[submarines]], a vital component of France's [[nuclear deterrent]] system.<ref name ="chant 472"/>

In a final conversion, two aircraft were furnished for [[SIGINT]] electronic surveillance, designated ''C-160G Gabriel'', replacing the [[Noratlas]]es that had been in this role previously.{{refn|The C-160G was designed to, while flying at altitudes between 7,000 and 10,000 meters, intercept communications and radar emissions within a radius of 800 kilometres.<ref name="aid wie 198"/>|group=N}} In routine operations, the C-160Gs would often supplement France's [[Boeing E-3 Sentry]] [[Airborne early warning and control|AWACS]] aircraft.<ref name="aid wie 198">Aid and Wiebes 2001, p. 198.</ref> In 1991, a SIGINT-equipped C-160G was deployed as part of France's contribution to Coalition forces during and after the [[Gulf War]] to support a [[no-fly zone]] and embargoing of [[Iraq]].<ref name="aid wie 198"/>

[[File:Transal-IMG 1448.jpg|thumb|left|A pair of French Air Force C-160s flying overhead, 2006]]
C-160s were in continuous use to support French bases in sub-Saharan Africa; the tanker variants also proved valuable in supporting African operations.<ref name ="rcp 97-98">Rouvez, Coco and Paddack 1994, pp. 97–98.</ref> The C-160 fleet was the staple of the French military airlift capability for many years, supplemented by small numbers of [[McDonnell Douglas DC-8]]s, [[CASA/IPTN CN-235]] and [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules]] as of 1990.<ref name ="rcp 96-97">Rouvez, Coco and Paddack 1994, pp. 96–97.</ref>

During the [[South African Border War]] during the late 1980s, the South African Air Force's C-160s were vital for deploying and supplying troops in the border region and into positions in southern [[Angola]] due to the otherwise-impassable terrain. The importance of airpower in the war led to a great deal of the fighting being centred upon remote airstrips, both sides trying to gain or deny the same advantageous positions and place stress upon the opposing force's logistical efforts.<ref>Johnson, Grissom and Oliker 2008, pp. 217–218.</ref> In one particular mission, a C-160 was used to move a captured [[SA-8]] from Angola to South Africa. The C-160 was chosen for this task over the [[C-130]] because of its larger cargo hold and its ability to lower its hull while on the ground, which facilitated the loading of the heavy vehicle.<ref>Dick Lord, 2019, ''From Fledgling to Eagle: The South African Air Force during the Border War'', Chapter 14</ref>

The C-160 has been a prominent component of several other international efforts. Germany's C-160 fleet has been used to support [[peacekeeping]] efforts in [[Sudan]],<ref>"Sudan accuses Israel, Germany of involvement in Darfur conflict". ''Sudan Tribunal'', 22 December 2004.</ref> a regular detachment of C-160s was also dispatched in support of the multinational [[International Security Assistance Force]] presence in the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|Afghanistan]].<ref>"German planes begin supply flights for anti-terror campaign, sharing burden with U.S. crews". ''Associated Press'', 26 November 2001.</ref> Both French and German C-160s were used in supporting [[Operation Serval]], the French-led intervention in the [[Northern Mali conflict (2012–present)|Northern Mali conflict]].<ref>MÜller, Alberecht. [https://archive.today/20130408015757/http://www.defensenews.com/article/20130207/DEFREG01/302070018/German-Government-Wants-Boost-Support-Malian-Operation?odyssey=nav%7Chead "German Government Wants To Boost Support for Malian Operation."] ''defensenews.com'', 7 February 2013.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defense.gouv.fr/operations/actualites/mali-lancement-de-l-operation-serval|title=Mali: lancement de l'opération Serval, Ministère de la Défense|language=fr|publisher=Defense|date=12 January 2013|access-date=2 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115001719/http://www.defense.gouv.fr/operations/actualites/mali-lancement-de-l-operation-serval|archive-date=15 January 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> For either humanitarian or military purposes, C-160s have conducted extensive operations in a number of nations, including [[Mauritania]], [[Niger]], [[Chad]], [[Ethiopia]], [[Bosnia]], and [[Lebanon]].<ref>Wache 2004, pp. 68, 82.</ref>

[[File:Waffenträger Wiesel wird in eine Transall verladen.jpg|thumb|A [[Wiesel AWC|Wiesel]] combat vehicle being loaded into a C-160 via the rear ramp, 2010]]
Starting in 1984 onwards, German airframes underwent LEDA I{{refn|''LEDA'' is a German acronym for ''Lebensdauerverlängernde Maßnahme'', translating to 'life extension measures'.<ref name="blum 2"/>|group=N}} and LEDA II life extension measures, which were focused on the wings. Subsequent programs carried out in the 1990s, such as LEDA III, concentrated on the whole structure of the aircraft; raising the airframe life from 8,000 flights to 12,000 flights, and introducing new avionics systems such as a self-defence system and a replacement flight management system.<ref name="blum 1">Blumschein 1999, p. A26-1.</ref>

From 1994 to 1999, all French C-160s underwent an avionics upgrade and the addition of new anti-missile countermeasures. The C-160Fs and NGs so updated were redesignated ''C-160R'' (''Renové''—"renovated").{{Citation needed|date=March 2013}} In 2009, the French Defence Ministry announced a modernisation of the C-160 fleet, enabling it to continue in service until 2018 if required.<ref>Mackenzie, Christina. [http://www.aviationweek.com/Blogs.aspx?plckBlogId=Blog:27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7&plckPostId=Blog:27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post:80ced091-1687-473c-b667-90b2fb50f4f4 "France to Upgrade C-160 Transalls."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130228072419/http://www.aviationweek.com/Blogs.aspx?plckBlogId=Blog:27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7 |date=2013-02-28 }} ''Aviation Week'', 5 June 2009.</ref>

In late 2011, it was announced that Germany's Transall fleet had accumulated a combined total of one million flight hours.<ref>Timo Braam, Alexander Bräutigam. [http://www.luftwaffe.de/portal/a/luftwaffe/!ut/p/c4/NYqxDsIwDAX_yE4XCmykZWBgYYGymdaqLCVOFQyVEB9PMvBOuuUe3rGg9JaZTJJSwBsOo-wfK4QVjCkCiz4h0ofwWs8Tw5iUrdpYTYrnTJYyLClbqOWVcykgEw6u6b3buP-a7_bcdf64a9v-5C-4xHj4AUlKNFY!/ "Transall C-160 erfliegt eine Millionste Flugstunde."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403232528/http://www.luftwaffe.de/portal/a/luftwaffe/!ut/p/c4/NYqxDsIwDAX_yE4XCmykZWBgYYGymdaqLCVOFQyVEB9PMvBOuuUe3rGg9JaZTJJSwBsOo-wfK4QVjCkCiz4h0ofwWs8Tw5iUrdpYTYrnTJYyLClbqOWVcykgEw6u6b3buP-a7_bcdf64a9v-5C-4xHj4AUlKNFY!/ |date=2015-04-03 }} Luftwaffe.de, 5 October 2011.</ref> {{as of|2012}}, the global C-160 fleet was approaching the end of its service life; all South African C-160s have already been retired, while the [[Turkish Air Force]] continued to operate 20 aircraft obtained from Germany (''C-160T''). To replace the Transall, the German, French and South African Air Forces ordered 60, 50 and eight [[Airbus A400M]]s, respectively;<ref>Hoyle, Craig. [http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-dewline/2013/02/europes-transall-turns-50.html "Europe's Transall turns 50."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130303075223/http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-dewline/2013/02/europes-transall-turns-50.html |date=2013-03-03 }} ''Flight Global'', 25 February 2013.</ref> the South African order was later cancelled.<ref>Roberts, Janice. [http://www.moneyweb.co.za/mw/view/mw/en/page295023?oid=558212&sn=2009+Detail "Airbus refunds A400M payments to Armscor."] ''Moneyweb,'' 19 December 2011.</ref>

In 2015, it was announced that the retirement of Germany's Transall fleet had been pushed back from 2018 to 2021 due to delays with the Airbus A400M; until 2021, a decreasing number of aircraft shall remain in service to perform missions that require the Transall's self-protection suite.<ref>Stevenson, Beth. [https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/germany-to-join-multinational-tanker-effort-419627/ "Germany to join multinational tanker effort."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208063327/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/germany-to-join-multinational-tanker-effort-419627/ |date=2015-12-08 }} ''Flight International'', 2 December 2015.</ref><ref>[http://www.luftwaffe.de/portal/a/luftwaffe/!ut/p/c4/NYo7DsIwEAVvtGuj8BFdLDdQ0kDolsRYFo5trTZJw-GxC95I08zDJ1YSrcGThJwo4gOHMZxfG8QNMnt4R2L6aPBcdh3e239yMObkpFlcklDtmSQzlMwSW1mYa4Ew4aC0Neqg_tPffn-8WnPSnb2YG5Z57n_tBG3T/ "LTG 63 fliegt noch bis 2021 mit Transall."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822064719/http://www.luftwaffe.de/portal/a/luftwaffe/!ut/p/c4/NYo7DsIwEAVvtGuj8BFdLDdQ0kDolsRYFo5trTZJw-GxC95I08zDJ1YSrcGThJwo4gOHMZxfG8QNMnt4R2L6aPBcdh3e239yMObkpFlcklDtmSQzlMwSW1mYa4Ew4aC0Neqg_tPffn-8WnPSnb2YG5Z57n_tBG3T/ |date=2016-08-22 }} ''Luftwaffe.de'', 14 December 2015.</ref> The last German Transall wing was disbanded in December 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|last=KS|date=2021-12-15|title=Transall ist nun Geschichte: LTG 63 aufgelöst|url=https://www.flugrevue.de/militaer/transall-ist-nun-geschichte-ltg-63-aufgeloest/|access-date=2021-12-15|website=www.flugrevue.de|language=de}}</ref>
{{clear}}

==Variants==
[[File:A2357-France-Transall-R213-RIAT2013.JPG|thumb|A French Air and Space Force Transall C-160R, 2013]]

;Prototypes
:Three prototypes were built, one by each production company.<ref name="airbritain" />
* V1 was built by Nord Aviation at Bourges, France and first flew on 25 February 1963.<ref name="airbritain" />
* V2 was built by VFW at Lemwerder, Germany and first flew on 25 May 1963<ref name="airbritain" />
* V3 was built by HFB at Hamburg-Finkenwerder and first flew on 19 February 1964.<ref name="airbritain" />
;Pre-production
;C-160A
:Six pre-production aircraft were built for Franco-German trials.<ref name="airbritain" /><ref name="The Observer 1968">The Observer's Book of Basic Aircraft, William Green, 1968.</ref>
;Proposed versions
;C-160C
:Proposed commercial derivative, including a stretched 150-passenger version.<ref name="The Observer 1968"/>

===First-generation production===
[[File:turkish air force transall c-160d landing arp.jpg|thumb|right|[[Turkish Air Force]] Transall C-160D lands at [[RIAT]] 2008. This is the support aircraft for the [[Turkish Stars]] aerobatic team.]]

The initial production run of 169 aircraft were built by the three companies in France and Germany; Nord built 56 aircraft, VFW built 57 aircraft and HFB/MBB 56 (HFB became part of Messerchmitt-Bolkow-Blohm in 1969 during the production run).<ref name="airbritain" /> All three production lines produced a mixture of aircraft for France and Germany but the South African aircraft were all built by Nord.<ref name="airbritain" />
;C-160D
:Production aircraft for the West German Air Force; 110 were built.<ref name="airbritain" /> Twenty of these aircraft were delivered to Turkish Air Force in 1971 as C-160T. A few of the remaining German C-160 were fitted with the self-protection suite called ''ESS''.
;C-160F
:Production aircraft for the French Air and Space Force; 50 were built.<ref name="airbritain" />
;C-160P
:Conversion of four C-160Fs for use by the French Postal Service.<ref name="airbritain" />
;C-160Z
:Production aircraft for the South African Air Force; nine were built.<ref name="airbritain" />
{{clear}}

===Second-generation production===
From 1981 on, some new C-160 versions reached the wings of Armee de l'Air. The now C-160NG (Nouvelle Generation, New Generation) called aircraft has a fifth fuel tank in the middle of the wing above the fuselage, a refueling probe while the left side cargo door was removed. Some first-production series C-160F were fitted with the NG-versions changes and renamed C-160R (Renové).

Beside these changes, in 1989, the French Air Force introduced the ''C-160G Gabriel'' variant, a [[SIGINT]] aircraft easily to distinguish because of the antennas fitted to the aircraft.

Until the early 2000s, also the ''C-160H Astarte'' was used, while Astarté (Avion Station Relais de Transmissions Exceptionelles), meaning "airborne relay station for special transmissions", was used for communication with submerged French nuclear submarines.

==Operators==

===Military operators===
;{{TUR}}
* [[Turkish Air Force]] – 20 former West German Air Force C-160Ds delivered in 1971. Only 8 remain in service as of 2023.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/stories/2023-02-the-transall-turns-60 | title=The Transall Turns 60 &#124; Airbus | date=22 February 2023 }}</ref>
** 221 Filo at [[Erkilet International Airport|Erkilet]]

===Civil operators===
;{{AUS}}
* Wieland Aviation Group Pty Ltd, Warnervale, New South Wales: 3 C-160D ex-Luftwaffe aircraft bought in September 2022 and registered VH-RFW, VH-RPR, VH-TIT.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.16right.com/registers/aus?Rhname=WIELAND%20AVIATION%20GROUP%20PTY%20LTD |title=16Right - Australian Aircraft Register Search }}</ref> The company intends to convert these planes into water bombers for firefighting.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://aerobuzz.de/militar/drei-c-160-transall-der-luftwaffe-fliegen-kuenftig-in-australien/ |title=Drei C-160 Transall der Luftwaffe fliegen künftig in Australien |date=9 December 2022 }}</ref>

===Former operators===
;Military
[[File:C-160 Transall 51+08 Vorbeiflug.jpg|thumb|right|Fly-by of [[German Air Force]] Transall 51+08]]
[[File:C-160 Transall 2.jpg|thumb|right|A Transall of the German Air Force performing a cargo drop]]
[[File:C-160 Transall - paratroops ILA2002-01.jpg|thumb|right|German paratroopers deploying from an inflight C-160]]
;{{FRA}}
* [[French Air and Space Force]] – 78
* '''50 C-160F''' (+ 3 pre-production aircraft) :
** [[61e Escadre de Transport]] at [[Orléans – Bricy Air Base]] (the wing used a centralised aircraft maintenance system and the Transalls did not carry individual squadron markings)
*** [[Escadron de Transport 1/61 Touraine]] was the first French squadron which operated the C-160F, from November 1967 to 2012. Now has received its first A-400Ms;
*** [[Escadron de Transport 2/61 Franche-Comté]] operated the C-160F from August 1969 to 1988. Now uses the [[C-130H Hercules]];
*** [[Escadron de Transport 3/61 Poitou]] has been operating the C-160F since October 1970, and still has some aging planes, due to delays in the development program of the new [[Airbus A400M Atlas|Airbus A-400M]] transport aircraft.
* '''25 C-160NG''' :
** [[64e Escadre de Transport]] at [[Évreux-Fauville Air Base]]
*** [[Escadron de Transport 1/64 Béarn]], has been operating its aircraft since December 1981 until unknown;
*** [[Escadron de Transport 2/64 Anjou]], has been operating its aircraft since April 1982;
** Two of these NG variant aircraft have been transformed into the electronic warfare variant C-160G "Gabriel", used in the "[[Escadron électronique aéroporté 1/54 Dunkerque]]" (Airborne Electronic Squadron);
** Four NGs have been converted into the C-160H communications relay variant, in use in the "[[Escadron avion 1/59 Bigorre]]" ([[Châteaudun Air Base]]) between 1988 and 2001. They are now retired and used as spare parts providers;
** Between 1973 and 1985, four C-160F have been converted to a C-160P variant, which was used by the [[Aéropostale (aviation)|Aéropostale]] company. These are now retired and used as wreckages for firemen training. Since 1999, all the F and NG aircraft operated in French air forces have been converted to the last upgraded C-160R standard. Last aircraft retired in May 2022.
;{{GER}}
* [[German Air Force]] (''Luftwaffe'') – total: 110; after 20 were sold to Turkey: 90; October 2011 (before introduction of the Airbus A400M): 80; August 2014: 56; the last wing (4 aircraft) was disbanded on 15 December 2021 and Replaced with [[Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules|C-130J-30 Super Hecules]] and [[Airbus A400M Atlas]].
** [[Air Transport Wing 61]] at [[Landsberg-Lech Air Base]] (disbanded 31 December 2017)
** [[Air Transport Wing 62]] at [[Wunstorf Air Base]] (transitioned to A400M)
** [[Air Transport Wing 63]] at [[Hohn Air Base]] (disbanded 15 December 2021)

;{{flag|South Africa|}}
* [[South African Air Force]] – Nine new C-160Z delivered in 1969 and 1970, all except one scrapped, the survivor is now at the [[South African Air Force Museum]]<ref name="defenceweb">{{Cite news| last = Engelbrecht| first = Leon| title = SAAF to break up C160Z Transall wrecks| publisher = defenceWeb| access-date = 2013-03-02| date = 2008-11-24| url = http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=761| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150403110720/http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=761| archive-date = 2015-04-03| url-status = live}}</ref>
** [[28 Squadron SAAF]] at [[AFB Waterkloof|Waterkloof]]

;Civil
;{{FRA}}
* [[Air France]] on behalf of [[La Poste (France)|French Postal Service]] (retired)
;{{GAB}}
* [[Air Affaires Gabon]] – former V3 prototype modified to C-160G standard was sold to Gabonese company in July 1976.<ref name="airbritain">Chillon, Dubois and Wegg 1980, pp. 116–126.</ref> Retired in France in 1987 and scrapped.
;{{IDN}}
* [[Manunggal Air Service]] (defunct)
* [[Pelita Air]] (retired)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oldjets.net/jakarta---kemayoran.html|title=Jakarta - Kemayoran|website=oldjets.net|access-date=24 March 2021}}</ref>
;{{SUI}}
* [[Balair]] – pre-production aircraft C-160V was leased in 1968 to the International Red Cross Committee and operated for them by Balair. Returned in 1970<ref name="airbritain" />

==Accidents and incidents==
* 9 February 1975 – [[German Air Force]] C-160D 50+63 en route to a NATO base on [[Crete]] entered a heavy storm, causing it to crash into a mountain. All 42 people on board were killed.<ref>"42 Dead In Plane Crash". ''Playground Daily News'', Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Volume 29, Number 408, 11 February 1975, p. 1.</ref>
* 11 May 1990 – During a routine flight from [[Wunstorf Air Base|Wunstorf]] German Air Force 50+39 Air Transport Squadron 62 crashed into a hillside near [[Lohr am Main|Lohr]] during bad weather. The ten crew on board were all killed.<ref>Ungemach, Johannes. [http://www.mainpost.de/regional/main-spessart/Transall-Absturz-vor-20-Jahren-Es-war-furchtbar;art774,5571654 "Transall-Absturz vor 20 Jahren: „Es war furchtbar".] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528170608/http://www.mainpost.de/regional/main-spessart/Transall-Absturz-vor-20-Jahren-Es-war-furchtbar;art774,5571654 |date=2013-05-28 }} ''Mainpost'', 10 May 2010.</ref>
* 22 October 1995 – A German Air Force C-160 50+43 crashed after takeoff in the [[Azores]] when it collided with a telegraph pole; all seven crew on board were killed.<ref>[https://www.welt.de/print-welt/article663244/Tragflaeche_beruehrte_einen_Mast.html "Tragfläche berührte einen Mast".] ''Die Welt'', 24 October 1995.</ref>
* 15 June 2001 – PK-VTQ being operated by [[Manunggal Air Services]] experienced engine problems and performed an emergency landing in [[Indonesia]]; during the forced landing the C-160 ran off the runway, one of the 16 passengers on board was killed.<ref>[http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20080306-0 "Aircraft accident Transall C-160NG PK-VTQ Wamena Airport".] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171108035705/https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20080306-0 |date=2017-11-08 }} ''Aviation-Safety.net'', 21 September 2011.</ref>
* 3 November 2021 – A civilian C-160 EY-560 burned up after landing at Dolow in Somalia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/109524-worlds-only-civilian-c-160-transall-destroyed|title=World's only civilian C-160 Transall destroyed|website=ch-aviation}}</ref>
* 25 January 2024 - [[Turkish Air Force]] C-160D made an emergency landing during a training exercise in [[Kayseri]] due to a technical malfunction. While the crew managed to emerge unscratched from the emergency landing the aircraft sustained substantial damage.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Incident Transall C-160D 69-036 |url=https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/351154 |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=aviation-safety.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-25 |title=Turkish C-160 makes emergency landing during training: video |url=https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/turkish-airforce-c-160-emergency-landing-kayseri |access-date=2024-01-25 |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Specifications (C-160)==
[[File:Transall C-160 3-view line drawing.png|350px|right|Orthographic projection of a Transall C-160]]
[[File:C160NG.jpg|thumb|right|Transall C-160NG, escadron Anjou, [[French Air and Space Force]]]]
{{External media|topic= |width=20% |float=right |video1=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yg57-7ZmcLY C-160 landing on an autobahn] |video2=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYT4y7mbS0c SAAF C-160 display flight] |video3=}}
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982–83 <ref name="Janes 82 p119-0">Taylor 1982, pp. 119–120.</ref>
|prime units?=met
<!--  General characteristics
-->
|crew=3 flight crew + loadmasters
|capacity={{cvt|16000|kg|0}}
:*93 troops ''or''
:*61–88 paratroops ''or''
:*62 stretchers
:*cargo compartment: length {{cvt|17.20|m|1}}; width {{cvt|3.15|m|1}}; height {{cvt|2.98|m|1}} <ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20170919190305/http://www.military-today.com/aircraft/transall_c160.htm Transall C-160]}} Military Today. Retrieved 9 September 2017.</ref>
|length m=32.4
|length note=
|span m=40
|span note=
|height m=11.65
|height note=
|wing area sqm=160
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=10
|airfoil=
|empty weight kg=27782
|empty weight note=empty equipped
|gross weight kg=46000
|gross weight note=with {{cvt|17000|kg|0}} payload
|max takeoff weight kg=51000
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
<!--  Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=2
|eng1 name=[[Rolls-Royce RTy.20 Tyne Mk 22]]
|eng1 type=[[turboprop]] engines
|eng1 kw=4549
|eng1 note=

|prop blade number=4
|prop name=Ratier Forest-built BAe Type 4/8000/6 fully feathering constant-speed reversible-pitch propellers
|prop dia m=5.486
|prop dia note=
<!--  Performance
-->
|max speed kmh=513
|max speed note=at {{cvt|4875|m|-2}}
|cruise speed kmh=
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed kmh=177
|stall speed note=flaps down
|never exceed speed kmh=593
|never exceed speed note=
|minimum control speed kmh=
|minimum control speed note=
|range km=1853
|range note=with {{convert|16000|kg|0|abbr=on}} payload, 30 min reserves
|combat range km=
|combat range note=
|ferry range km=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling m=8230
|ceiling note=
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic -->
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->
|climb rate ms=6.6
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|wing loading kg/m2=319
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption kg/km=
|power/mass={{cvt|0.18|kW/kg}}
|more performance=
<!--  Armament
-->
|avionics=
}}

==See also==
{{aircontent
|see also=
* [[Military transport aircraft]]
|related=
|similar aircraft= <!-- [[Transall C.160]]: 49.2t MTOW -->
* [[Aeritalia G.222]]
* [[Antonov An-12]] <!-- 61t MTOW -->
* [[Kawasaki C-1]] <!-- 45t MTOW -->
* [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules]] <!-- 70t MTOW -->
* [[Shaanxi Y-8]] <!-- 61t MTOW -->
|lists=
* [[List of military aircraft of France]]
* [[List of military aircraft of Germany]]
* [[List of aircraft of the South African Air Force]]
}}

==References==

===Notes===
{{reflist|group=N}}

===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
* {{cite book |last1=Aid |first1=Matthew M. |last2=Wiebes |first2=Cees |title=Secrets of Signals Intelligence During the Cold War |publisher=Routledge |year=2001 |isbn=0-7146-5176-1}}
* {{cite report |last=Blumschein |first=P. |title=Transall C-160 Life Extension and Avionics Upgrade Programs |publisher=NATO – RTO MP-44 |year=1999 |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413131958/http://ftp.rta.nato.int/public//PubFulltext/RTO/MP/RTO-MP-044///MP-044-A26.pdf}}
* {{cite book |last=Chant |first=Chris |title=Compendium of Armaments and Military Hardware |publisher=Routledge |year=1987 |isbn=0-7102-0720-4}}
* {{cite book |last1=Chillon |first1=Jacques |last2=Dubois |first2=Jean-Pierre |last3=Wegg |first3=John |title=French Post-War Transport Aircraft |publisher=Air-Britain |location=Tonbridge, UK |year=1980 |isbn=0-85130-078-2 |name-list-style=amp}}
* {{cite book |last1=Johnson |first1=David Eugene |last2=Grissom |first2=Adam |last3=Oliker |first3=Olga |title=In the Middle of the Fight: An Assessment of Medium-Armored Forces in Past Military Operations |publisher=Rand Corporation |year=2008 |isbn=0-8330-4413-3}}
* {{cite magazine |last=Pletschacher |first=Peter |title=Transall Resurgent |magazine=Air International |volume=20 |issue=6 |date=June 1981 |pages=284–289 |issn=0306-5634}}
* {{cite book |last=Taylor |first=John W. R. |title=Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982–83 |publisher=Jane's Yearbooks |location=London |year=1982 |isbn=0-7106-0748-2}}
* {{cite book |last1=Rouvez |first1=Alain |last2=Coco |first2=Michael |author3=Jean-Paul Paddack |title=Disconsolate Empires: French, British and Belgian Military Involvement in Post–Colonial Sub–Saharan Africa |publisher=University Press of America |year=1994 |isbn=0-8191-9643-6}}
* {{cite book |last=Wache |first=Siegfried |title=Transall C-160 D |work=F-40 Flugzeuge der Bundeswehr |publisher=Buchholz |year=2004 |isbn=3-9357-6147-3}}
* {{cite magazine |last=Wilson |first=Michael |title=Transall C-160: An Exercise in Multi-national Transport Design |magazine=Flight International |volume=93 |issue=3085 |date=25 April 1968 |pages=614–620 |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1968/1968%20-%200636.html}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
* [http://www.luftwaffe.de/portal/a/luftwaffe/waff/tran/c160 Official Luftwaffe site]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140106205855/http://www.saafmuseum.org.za/2010/transall.htm SAAF-Museums – C-160Z]

[[Category:1960s international military transport aircraft]]
[[Category:Twin-turboprop tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1963]]
[[Category:High-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:France–Germany military relations]]
[[Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear]]
[[Category:Transall aircraft|C160]]