Boeing C-18 • wp.archivoaereo.com

In June 1981, American Airlines sold eight Boeing 707-323Cs to the U.S. Air Force under the C-18A designation; they were delivered within the same year. One aircraft was used for spare parts, while the remaining seven underwent modification. One aircraft was transferred to Grumman, designated C-18B, based in Melbourne, and used for testing.

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Acquisition and Initial Versions

Four aircraft were converted into EC-18B ARIA (Advanced-Range Instrumented Aircraft) to replace older EC-135N models (manufactured in 1966). These machines had the same nose section as the EC-135N, in which a 2.12 m diameter rotating antenna was installed. The EC-18Bs were used as communication relays between satellites and the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

The new aircraft could carry more mission payload and a crew of 16 to 24 people, depending on the task. Today, all four aircraft serve with the 412th Test Wing (Edwards Air Force Base).

Specialized Roles: ARIA and CMMSA

Two C-18As were converted into EC-18D CMMSA (Cruise Missile Mission Support Aircraft), equipped with the Hughes APG-63 radar. These aircraft operated at Edwards Air Force Base alongside the EC-18Bs as airborne command posts, supporting cruise missile tests in the Nevada range. The EC-18C designation was initially assigned to prototype aircraft created under the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (J-STARS) program; subsequently, two aircraft received the E-8A designation.

Training Variants and Other Designations

Several aircraft were converted into training versions: the TC-18E for pilots and operators of the E-3 AWACS aircraft, and the TC-18F for E-6 pilots.

Technical Specifications

Modification	С-18А
Wingspan, m	44.42
Aircraft length, m	46.61
Aircraft height, m	12.93
Wing area, m2	279.64
Empty weight	61236
Maximum takeoff weight	148325
Internal fuel, l	90300
Engine type	4 Turboprop engines Pratt Whitney TF33 (JT3D-3)
Thrust, kN	4 x 80.07
Maximum speed, km/h	1010
Cruising speed, km/h	966
Practical range, km	12248
Operational range, km	9914
Service ceiling, m	12800
Crew	3-4
Payload	215 passengers or 24709 kg of cargo