The C-21 “Cougar” is a militarized Learjet 35 used for passenger and priority light-cargo airlift and aeromedical transport.
It is equipped with color weather radar, TACAN, and HF/VHF/UHF radios. It provides medium-range operational support for time-sensitive movement of people and cargo throughout the U.S. and the European theater, including AE missions if required.
Recent upgrades include the C-21 Avionics Upgrade Program (AUP), which added a modern glass cockpit, digital weather radar, GPS, flight management system, satellite-updating real-time flight information, digital black boxes, and ADS-B/Mode 5 transponder.
USAF added BLOS comms concurrently with AUP to save costs. The fleet was also retrofitted with enlarged aft-fuselage “delta fins” to improve lowspeed stability and control, eliminating previous approach/landing flight restrictions. USAF plans to sustain the fleet through the 2030s.
C-21 Technical Data
Contractors: Bombardier (previously Gates Learjet); Avcon Industries (delta fin mods).
First Flight: January 1973.
Delivered: April 1984-October 1985.
IOC: April 1984.
Production: 84.
Inventory: 19.
Operator: AMC, USAFE
Aircraft Location: Ramstein AB, Germany; Scott AFB, Ill.
Active Variant: •C-21A. Military version of the Learjet 35A.
Dimensions: Span 39.5 ft, length 48.6 ft, height 12.2 ft.
Weight: Max T-O 18,300 lb.
Power Plant: Two AlliedSignal TFE731-2 turbofans, each 3,500 lb thrust.
Performance: Speed 530 mph at 41,000 ft, range 2,306 miles.
Ceiling: 45,000 ft.
Accommodation: Two pilots; AE crew: Flight nurse, two medical technicians (mission dependent).
Load: Eight passengers, 3,153 lb cargo; one litter or five ambulatory patients (AE role).
