PPT Slide
MC-27L Seaplanes: Air Cushion Landing Systems (ACLSs)
While we waste $ BILLIONS and lives on the “Holy Grail” of a V/TOL transport aircraft that flies as fast and as far as one that takes-off and lands with runways, we would be wise to consider once on the ground THE LANDING GEAR drives where we can and cannot land, V/TOL, STOVL or ESTOL. High ground pressure rubber tires are just as bad on
land for aircraft as they are for ground vehicles. Because non-V/TOL aircraft need fast runs to create lift over their wings, wheels have been used; but if the aircraft can land on water wheels are not needed. To not be so dependant on a smooth rolling surface we need to spread the aircraft’s load over a larger area using tracks and ESTOL lift devices so
the aircraft doesn’t come in so “hot” or break contact with the ground altogether with an air cushion like the LCAC. It just so happens that Air Cushion Landing Systems (ACLSs) work and are in use on the Russian Dingo amphibian. Bell in the 60s/70s perfected ACLSs on a Buffalo STOL aircraft and has since sat on the technology in favor of the more costly
V-22 V/TOL “Holy Grail”. ACLS on MC-27Ls would enable sealandings and a revolutionary opening of possible ground landing spots that NLMB Attack Pathfinders could through experience exploit.