78-08-B1
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Planes[edit]
Transcript[edit]Many of us have had our say about the B-1 bomber, the neutron weapon, cruise missiles, and so forth. Now there is the case of another type of aircraft and I doubt if many of us know about it or its importance. Congressman Bill Dickenson of Alabama knows about it, probably because he's a member of the House Armed Services Committee. And, thanks to him, you're going to hear about it if you'll stay with me for a few minutes. Now, one of our major defense areas is the Western front in Europe - the NATO line. The Soviet Union has a vast offensive force with tens of thousands of tanks arrayed against the combined American and European contingents. Part of our strategy is based on our ability to move forces swiftly across the Atlantic in the event of an attack. This means aerial transport of men and equipment. And equipment means armored vehicles and tanks the Soviets already have, combat-ready and in place. Our initial force would be the mechanized brigade which has 21 different vehicles including tanks. In-all, the brigade consists of 4,295 troops and 1,130 vehicles. The C-130 transport is our present aircraft for moving this force. It can only carry seven of the 21 vehicles and cannot transport tanks. I'm sure the Soviets are well aware of this. An amazing new type aircraft is under development. It bears a great many initials in the description of its characteristics but they all boil down to "Advanced Medium Short Take-Off and Landing Transport." It will carry heavy out-sized cargo - tanks and armored vehicles. And it can travel long distances and can land and takeoff from short runways. I'm talking about the Boeing YC-14. Two "wings" of these aircraft could transport an entire brigade and equipment to Germany in 12 hours. It would take a combination of C-130's and ground or sea transportation a lot longer. The C-130 can only land on 93 of Germany's airfields - the YC-14 can land on 306. All of this sounds reassuring, doesn't it? But there is a kicker in the story - Last December the administration cancelled the YC-14 program in one of its "national security" or perhaps I should say "insecurity" decisions. Meanwhile, by some strange coincidence the Soviet Union just happens to be going full-speed-ahead on an airplane building program. And the plane they are building looks for all the world like a mirror image of the YC-14. Well, why not? The YC-14 is the most advanced idea in cargo transport of combat forces· and equipment in the world today. This is Ronald Reagan. Thanks for listening. |
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