You are planning for an extended air camping by US forces against Iran. The campaign will center on attacking targets in Iran by tactical aircraft. Strong air defenses at Iranian targets will exact attrition from US aircraft; this expectation will induce a subsidiary US campaign objective to maximize recovery rates for US aircrews whose aircraft are downed.

In addiction to putting in place requisite helicopter and other forces and communication to enable recovery of downed aircrewman, some new techniques may be available if the campaign commander can be persuaded to deploy them. These new techniques include a C-130 (a 4-propeller, land based aircraft) rigged with a pong device to snatch an aviator who is descending via parachute after ejecting from his damaged aircraft.

QUESTION: Would it be wise to employ this new technique? Write a 500 word paper for the campaign commander with your recommendation, together with your rationale for it. 

Your paper should answer these questions:

1. Is there sufficient time to alert the C-130 to move into ‘snatch’ position?

2. Can the snatch be accomplished before the aviator reaches the ground?

3. Would any alternative means of pick-up of the downed aviator make more sense?

BE EXPLICIT ABOUT THE ASSUMPTION YOU MAKE…. see attached for question that may guide you with the assignment. 

The C-130 is large and unmaneuverable compared to tactical jets.  With a C-130 crew of 7-10 compared to the 1-2 of tactical jets, it would be risky to operate the C-130 exposed to enemy defenses.  So although the C-130’s readiness would be increased by keeping it airborne for earlier snatch of descending aviators, it wouldn’t be wise to hold it airborne near enemy targets.  It should be kept in ‘safe areas’ over Iran or maybe offshore until needed.

But the pronged C-130 is a potential addition to other rescue forces such as helicopters, so the C-130 too is subject to the same kinds of time delays in communication to get it headed to the site of a potential downing.  (And remember it has to get there before the surface is reached by the downed aviator.)

How many people could each C-130 theoretically catch mid air? Is it one person rescued per plane?  THE TIMING IS TIGHT, SO GETTING A SECOND DESCENDING AVIATOR WOULD BE VERY RARE EVEN IF TECHNICALLY FEASIBLE.

How fast is the C-130 compared to other options like a search and rescue helicopter?  MAX SPEED OF A C130 IS 368 MPH, BUT THAT’S GOING ‘DOWNHILL. CRUISING SPEED IS UNDER 300 MPH.

If a C-130 didn’t reach it’s window of time to grab a pilot midair, is it feasible for this type of plane to conduct the rescue on the ground?  NOT VIA THE PRONG (WHICH IS INTENDED TO CATCH AN UNFURLED CHUTE).  BUT THERE ARE TECHNIQUES SUCH AS FULTON SKYHOOK THAT MIGHT WORK (BUT ARE NOT PART OF YOUR PROBLEM).

What elevation would the tactical aircraft pilots be flying at, and could they lose altitude after getting hit and while still assessing their situations? (Important for determining time constraints.) SMART WEAPONS PERMIT DELIVERY FROM 15,000 FEET OR ABOVE

How would the C-130 locate a pilot upon arriving at the likely downing position? Visually? Some sort of beacon? /Presumably, sighting the pilot, adjusting to compensate for the pilot’s descent, and making the grab would all take a good deal of time, especially if the C-130 comes under enemy fire and must conduct evasive maneuvers.  VISUALLY/RADIO WITH PILOT IN CHUTE/PERHAPS GPS

IT WOULD BE QUITE RISKY FOR THE PILOT DESCENDING OR AFTER REACHING THE SURFACE, BUT HE/SHE MIGHT USE FLARES TO MAKE SIGHTING BY RESCUE CREWS EASIER. YES, TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE

You mentioned that C-130s are manned by 7-10 people. What is the typical size of a S&R helicopter crew, for comparison? 3-4

A C-130 would probably be an attractive target for Iran’s capable air defense systems. How well is the aircraft able to deal with enemy fire? PROBLEMATIC Would it be escorted during S&R? LIKELY, BY JETS Would S&R helicopters be any less vulnerable (presumably not, as they would be descending to make pick-ups)?LESS VULNERABLE DUE SMALLER RADAR SIGNATURE AND DUE GREATER MANEUVERABILITY