WS C-130 Taxis



MS Workers hand Strake to flight line mechanic



CU Mechanic



MS Mechanics attach Strake



LS Pilot pre-flights wing Pan over to Strakes mounted on aft belly



CU Strakes



LS C-130 climbs out



MS C-130 flies over and breaks right



WS C-130 continues right turn





Initials



WRITER: Julius Alexander

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: THE LOCKHEED-GEORGIA COMPANY, UNDER CONTRACT WITH THE U.S. AIR FORCE, HAS SUCCESSFULLY TEST FLOWN A C -130 EQUIPPED WITH FINS CALLED AFTERBODY STRAKES.

THE STRAKES, SEVEN FEET LONG AND MADE OF ALUMINUM/FIBREGLASS, HAVE A TWOFOLD ADVANTAGE: SIGNIFICANT FUEL SAVINGS AND INCREASED SPEED.

THE AFTERBODY STRAKES ARE ATTACHED EASILY TO THE FUSELAGE, BENEATH THE HORIZONTAL TAIL, AND THEY ELIMINATE TURBULENCE AND SMOOTH OUT THE AIR FLOW.

WITH THE STRAKES, A HERCULES CAN REDUCE ITS FUEL CONSUMPTION BY THREE AND A HALF PER CENT AT THE SAME NORMAL CRUISE SPEED, OR INCREASE THE NORMAL CRUISE SPEED SIX NAUTICAL MILES PER HOUR AND STILL REDUCE FUEL CONSUMPTION BY TWO AND ONE HALF PER CENT.

NORMAL CRUISING SPEED FOR THE HERCULES IS THREE HUNDRED MILES PER HOUR. WITH THE STRAKES, THE HERCULES WILL CRUISE THREE-HUNDRED EIGHTEEN MILES PER HOUR WITH THE SAME FUEL CONSUMPTION A HERCULES WITHOUT THE STRAKES WOULD HAVE AT THREE HUNDRED MILES PER HOUR.

IF THE 550 HERCULES OPERATING IN THE ACTIVE AIR FORCE WERE EQUIPPED WITH STRAKES, U.S. TAXPAYERS WOULD REALIZE A SAVINGS OF ABOUT TEN MILLION DOLLARS PER YEAR IN DEFENSE DOLLARS.