Posted on Feb 17, 2019
LTC Self Employed
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A few days ago Airbus Industries announced that they will discontinue the production of the A380 superjumbo jet. The Canadian newspaper article stated that there is no used market for this aircraft and they will most likely be scrapped. Shouldn't we purchase those planes and use them for future contingencies? We could send a whole Battalion of troops with each aircraft. Each aircraft can hold up to 800 Personnel. What do you think Rallypoint? Is this plane too large for most conventional military or civilian airfields? Could This Plane be converted to be an Airborne launch platform to launch one whole airborne battalion at a time? I'm not trying to sound like la Loca Ocasio-Cortez. I'm just asking some crazy questions so please be kind and give me some constructive criticism if this is too far-fetched. I was thinking about this in a civil Affairs way of things. I'm trying to think outside the box and save money at the same time. This is not the Spruce Goose. Sorry Boeing Aircraft company. When I went to Iraq in 2004, the whole 116th CAV Brigade of the Idaho Army National Guard was sent on 2 Lockheed L-1011 jumbo jets to Kuwait.
Edited 6 y ago
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Responses: 15
LTC Trent Klug
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Its a good question and a feasible plan in my book. My only issue would be replacement or repair parts.

Oh, and, FIRST! Because I'm going for those influencing points. Of course, as a 35 year LTC, I don't think I influence jack. I'm still waiting for my RallyPoint Dodo award for breaking 260,000 points. 8^)
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SSG Squad Leader
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Would it be an issue that an entire battalion could be taken out with one well placed piece of Anti-Air? Just brainstorming
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LTC Self Employed
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SSG (Join to see) - Yes and so can an air burst nuke if flying together in two L-1011s or similar jets.
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SSgt Jim Gilmore
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Edited 6 y ago
The airlines are required to keep certain aircraft at ready for "State Department" mission necessities. I think having a few on hand could be a prudent idea save the fact they need to be kept in ready status. That means flyable right now. I know of no mission that would be able to use them aside from troop transport. FedEx already scrapped the cargo idea. Let me add too, they make excellent bullseyes...
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Yes, the risk is there. It is not a perfect solution. Thanks for your conditional support of my idea.
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Brad Powers
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SSgt. Jim Gilmore, I agree 100% they could potentially come to bat for something because they are very nice aircraft make excellent bull's-eyes
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SGT Evacuation Nco
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If the US could get them discounted might be worth it. Certainly they are newer aircraft with lots of capacity. I would say though parts might pose an issue. If the 380s are using engines that will have no commercially available parts due to being discontinued either a replacement program needs to be established STAT or they should focus on options where it wouldn’t be an issue.
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