Douglas C-47 Skytrain vs Hensoldt Pegasus

Douglas C-47 Skytrain — licensed reference photograph

ASupport aircraft

Douglas C-47 Skytrain

Military transport aircraft

Credit

Airwolfhound · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source ↗ · Modified

BSupport aircraft

Hensoldt Pegasus

SIGINT and reconnaissance

First system

Second system

At a glance

Side by side

Length comparisonOne shared metre scale

Douglas C-47 SkytrainC-47B-DK · Length

19.43 m

Length source ↗

Hensoldt PegasusLength

30.3 m

Length source ↗

Lengths retain their source configuration and measurement scope.

Measured figures

Head to head

12 of 109 rows sourced on both sides

19.43mC-47B-DK · Length

30.3m

Length

All recorded figures & sources

19.43 m

C-47B-DK · Length

Single source

63 ft 9 in (19.43 m)^[source]

30.3 m

Length

Single source

30.30 m (99 ft 5 in)^[source]

29.11mC-47B-DK · Wingspan

28.7m

Wingspan

All recorded figures & sources

29.11 m

C-47B-DK · Wingspan

Single source

95 ft 6 in (29.11 m)^[source]

28.7 m

Wingspan

Single source

28.70 m (94 ft 2 in)^[source]

5.18mC-47B-DK · Height

7.8m

Height

All recorded figures & sources

5.18 m

C-47B-DK · Height

Single source

17 ft 0 in (5.18 m)^[source]

7.8 m

Height

Single source

7.80 m (25 ft 7 in)^[source]

14.1t

45.2tMaximum take-off; Max takeoff weight

MassScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

8,226 kg

Empty; C-47B-DK · Empty weight

Single source

11,793 kg

Gross; C-47B-DK · Gross weight

Single source

14,061 kg

Maximum take-off; C-47B-DK · Max takeoff weight

Single source

18,135 lb (8,226 kg)^[source]

26,000 lb (11,793 kg)^[source]

31,000 lb (14,061 kg)^[source]

45,246 kg

Maximum take-off; Max takeoff weight

Single source

45,246 kg (99,750 lb)^[source]

2pilots + SIGINT crew

CrewScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

4 people

C-47B-DK · pilot, co-pilot, navigator, radio operator

Single source

4 (pilot, co-pilot, navigator, radio operator)^[source]

2 people

pilots + SIGINT crew

Single source

2 pilots + SIGINT crew^[source]

360km/h

946km/h

SpeedScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

260 km/h

Cruise; C-47B-DK · Cruise speed

Single source

360 km/h

Maximum; C-47B-DK · at 10,000 ft (3,000 m)

Single source

224 mph (360 km/h, 195 kn) at 10,000 ft (3,000 m)^[source]

160 mph (260 km/h, 140 kn)^[source]

904 km/h

Cruise; (0.85 Mach at a cruise altitude of 41,000 ft (12,000 m))

Single source

946 km/h

Maximum; (0.89 Mach at a cruise altitude of 41,000 ft (12,000 m))

Single source

946 km/h

Maximum; Maximum speed

Single source

946 km/h (588 mph, 511 kn) (0.89 Mach at a cruise altitude of 41,000 ft (12,000 m))^[source]

904 km/h (562 mph, 488 kn) (0.85 Mach at a cruise altitude of 41,000 ft (12,000 m))^[source]

Maximum speed: 946 km/h (588 mph, 511 kn)^[source]Hensoldt Pegasus · Specifications · Maximum speed: 946 km/h (588 mph, 511 kn) (0.89 Mach at a cruise altitude of 41,000 ft (12,000 m))

5,800kmFerry; C-47B-DK · Ferry range

6,000km

Range

All recorded figures & sources

2,600 km

C-47B-DK · normal range

Single source

5,800 km

Ferry; C-47B-DK · Ferry range

Single source

1,600 mi (2,600 km, 1,400 nmi) normal range^[source]

3,600 mi (5,800 km, 3,100 nmi)^[source]

6,000 km

Range

Single source

6,000 km (3,700 mi, 3,200 nmi)^[source]

890kW

—

Power

All recorded figures & sources

890 kW

C-47B-DK · 2 × Pratt & Whitney R-1830-90C Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines takeoff rating

Single source

750 kW

C-47B-DK · normal rating at 14,500 ft (4,400 m)

Single source

2 × Pratt & Whitney R-1830-90C Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines 1,200 hp (890 kW) takeoff rating 1,000 hp (750 kW) normal rating at 14,500 ft (4,400 m)^[source]

—

65.6kN2 × BR700-710A2-20 turbofan thrust each

Thrust

All recorded figures & sources

65.6 kN

2 × BR700-710A2-20 turbofan thrust each

Single source

2 × BR700-710A2-20 turbofan , 65.6 kN (14,700 lbf) thrust each^[source]

91.7m²C-47B-DK · Wing area

—

Wing area

All recorded figures & sources

91.7 m²

C-47B-DK · Wing area

Single source

987 sq ft (91.7 m 2 )^[source]

8,000mC-47B-DK · Service ceiling

16,000m

Service ceiling

All recorded figures & sources

8,000 m

C-47B-DK · Service ceiling

Single source

26,400 ft (8,000 m)^[source]

16,000 m

Service ceiling

Single source

16,000 m (51,000 ft)^[source]

Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.

Configuration

Details

Douglas C-47 Skytrain and Hensoldt Pegasus configuration
Specification	Douglas C-47 Skytrain	Hensoldt Pegasus
Type	Military transport aircraft^[source]	—
National origin	United States^[source]	Germany Canada United States^[source]
Manufacturer	Douglas Aircraft Company^[source]	General contractor : Hensoldt Sub-contractors / systems supplies : Hensoldt Bombardier Aviation Bombardier Defense Lufthansa Technik Defense^[source]
Status	In service^[source]	—
Primary users	United States Army Air Forces Royal Air Force United States Navy Royal Canadian Air Force See operators^[source]	—
Number built	10,174^[source]	3 (being manufactured)^[source]
First flight	23 December 1941 ( 1941-12-23 )^[source]	—
Developed from	Douglas DC-3^[source]	Global 6000^[source]
Variants	Douglas XCG-17 Douglas AC-47 Spooky Douglas R4D-8^[source]	—
Capacity	28 troops or 6,000 lb (2,700 kg) of cargo^[source]	—
Airfoil	root: NACA 2215 ; tip: NACA 2206^[source]	—
Propellers	3-bladed constant-speed propellers^[source]	—
Time to altitude	10,000 ft (3,000 m) in 9 minutes 30 seconds^[source]	—
Wing loading	26.3 lb/sq ft (128 kg/m 2 )^[source]	—
Power/mass	0.0926 hp/lb (0.1522 kW/kg)^[source]	—
Role	—	SIGINT and reconnaissance^[source]
Service	—	German Air Force^[source]
Manufactured	—	Since 2022^[source]
Introduction date	—	Planned for 2027^[source]
Initiated	—	June 2021.^[source]
Fuel capacity	—	20.43 t (45,000 lb)^[source]
Cabin height	—	1.88 m (6.2 ft)^[source]
Cabin width	—	2.41 m (7.9 ft)^[source]
Cabin length	—	14.80 m (48.6 ft)^[source]
Flight avionic	—	Bombardier Vision (four large displays, a head-up display, an enhanced vision system and synthetic vision system, graphic flight planning and multiscan weather radar)^[source]
Radar and radio electronic signal collection and analysis	—	Hensoldt Kalætron Integral (30MHz to 40GHz)^[source]
Source measurement	—	The origins of the Pegasus can be traced back to the decommissioning of the German Navy 's Breguet 1150 M Atlantic in 2010, which left a long-lasting capability gap in the Bundeswehr in the area of signal-detecting airborne long-range surveillance and reconnaissance capability. During the late 2000s and early 2010s, work was undertaken on developing the RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) into a specialised variant, known as EuroHawk , that was originally intended as the delivery system for this capability. However, the EuroHawk was reportedly not capable of being certifiable under ICAO rules without an anti-collision system; thus preventing any operations within European airspace or the airspace of any ICAO member; accordingly, on 15 May 2013, the German government announced the immediate termination of the Eurohawk program.^[source]Hensoldt Pegasus · Development / Background; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Length: 30.30 m (99 ft 5 in)^[source]Hensoldt Pegasus · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Wingspan: 28.70 m (94 ft 2 in)^[source]Hensoldt Pegasus · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Height: 7.80 m (25 ft 7 in)^[source]Hensoldt Pegasus · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Max takeoff weight: 45,246 kg (99,750 lb)^[source]Hensoldt Pegasus · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Fuel capacity: 20.43 t (45,000 lb)^[source]Hensoldt Pegasus · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Cabin height : 1.88 m (6.2 ft)^[source]Hensoldt Pegasus · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Cabin width : 2.41 m (7.9 ft)^[source]Hensoldt Pegasus · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Cabin length : 14.80 m (48.6 ft)^[source]Hensoldt Pegasus · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Powerplant: 2 × BR700-710A2-20 turbofan , 65.6 kN (14,700 lbf) thrust each^[source]Hensoldt Pegasus · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Maximum speed: 946 km/h (588 mph, 511 kn) (0.89 Mach at a cruise altitude of 41,000 ft (12,000 m))^[source]Hensoldt Pegasus · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Cruise speed: 904 km/h (562 mph, 488 kn) (0.85 Mach at a cruise altitude of 41,000 ft (12,000 m))^[source]Hensoldt Pegasus · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Range: 6,000 km (3,700 mi, 3,200 nmi)^[source]Hensoldt Pegasus · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Service ceiling: 16,000 m (51,000 ft)^[source]Hensoldt Pegasus · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Radar and radio electronic signal collection and analysis: Hensoldt Kalætron Integral (30MHz to 40GHz)^[source]Hensoldt Pegasus · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Reported operators	Reported operator · Argentina Reported operator · Australia Reported operator · Belgium Reported operator · Benin Reported operator · Biafra Reported operator · Bangladesh Reported operator · Bolivia Reported operator · Brazil Reported operator · Burma Reported operator · Cambodia Reported operator · Canada Reported operator · Chad Reported operator · Chile Reported operator · China Reported operator · Colombia Reported operator · Republic of the Congo Reported operator · Democratic Republic of the Congo Reported operator · Cuba Reported operator · Czechoslovakia Reported operator · Denmark Reported operator · Dominican Republic Reported operator · Ecuador Reported operator · El Salvador Reported operator · Ethiopia Reported operator · Finland Reported operator · France Reported operator · Gabon Reported operator · Greece Reported operator · Guatemala Reported operator · Haiti Reported operator · Honduras Reported operator · Hungary Reported operator · Iceland Reported operator · India Reported operator · Indonesia Reported operator · Iran Reported operator · Israel Reported operator · Italy Reported operator · Ivory Coast Reported operator · Jordan Reported operator · Japan Reported operator · Kenya Reported operator · Laos Reported operator · Libya Reported operator · Madagascar Reported operator · Malawi Reported operator · Mali Reported operator · Mauritania Reported operator · Mexico Reported operator · Monaco Reported operator · Morocco Reported operator · Netherlands Reported operator · New Zealand Reported operator · Nicaragua Reported operator · Niger Reported operator · Nigeria Reported operator · Northern Rhodesia Reported operator · Norway Reported operator · Oman Reported operator · Pakistan Reported operator · Panama Reported operator · Papua New Guinea Reported operator · Paraguay Reported operator · Peru Reported operator · Philippines Reported operator · Poland Reported operator · Portugal Reported operator · Rhodesia Reported operator · Romania Reported operator · Rwanda Reported operator · Saudi Arabia	—

FORCETALLY

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Douglas C-47 Skytrain

Hensoldt Pegasus

Type

Military transport aircraft^[source]

—

National origin

United States^[source]

Germany Canada United States^[source]

Manufacturer

Douglas Aircraft Company^[source]

General contractor : Hensoldt Sub-contractors / systems supplies : Hensoldt Bombardier Aviation Bombardier Defense Lufthansa Technik Defense^[source]

Status

In service^[source]

—

Primary users

United States Army Air Forces Royal Air Force United States Navy Royal Canadian Air Force See operators^[source]

—

Number built

10,174^[source]

3 (being manufactured)^[source]

First flight

23 December 1941 ( 1941-12-23 )^[source]

—

Developed from

Douglas DC-3^[source]

Global 6000^[source]

Variants

Douglas XCG-17 Douglas AC-47 Spooky Douglas R4D-8^[source]

—

Capacity

28 troops or 6,000 lb (2,700 kg) of cargo^[source]

—

Airfoil

root: NACA 2215 ; tip: NACA 2206^[source]

—

Propellers

3-bladed constant-speed propellers^[source]

—

Time to altitude

10,000 ft (3,000 m) in 9 minutes 30 seconds^[source]

—

Wing loading

26.3 lb/sq ft (128 kg/m 2 )^[source]

—

Power/mass

0.0926 hp/lb (0.1522 kW/kg)^[source]

—

Role

—

SIGINT and reconnaissance^[source]

Service

—

German Air Force^[source]

Manufactured

—

Since 2022^[source]

Introduction date

—

Planned for 2027^[source]

Initiated

—

June 2021.^[source]

Fuel capacity

—

20.43 t (45,000 lb)^[source]

Cabin height

—

1.88 m (6.2 ft)^[source]

Cabin width

—

2.41 m (7.9 ft)^[source]

Cabin length

—

14.80 m (48.6 ft)^[source]

Flight avionic

—

Bombardier Vision (four large displays, a head-up display, an enhanced vision system and synthetic vision system, graphic flight planning and multiscan weather radar)^[source]

Radar and radio electronic signal collection and analysis

—

Hensoldt Kalætron Integral (30MHz to 40GHz)^[source]

Source measurement

—

The origins of the Pegasus can be traced back to the decommissioning of the German Navy 's Breguet 1150 M Atlantic in 2010, which left a long-lasting capability gap in the Bundeswehr in the area of signal-detecting airborne long-range surveillance and reconnaissance capability. During the late 2000s and early 2010s, work was undertaken on developing the RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) into a specialised variant, known as EuroHawk , that was originally intended as the delivery system for this capability. However, the EuroHawk was reportedly not capable of being certifiable under ICAO rules without an anti-collision system; thus preventing any operations within European airspace or the airspace of any ICAO member; accordingly, on 15 May 2013, the German government announced the immediate termination of the Eurohawk program.^[source]Hensoldt Pegasus · Development / Background; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Length: 30.30 m (99 ft 5 in)^[source]Hensoldt Pegasus · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Wingspan: 28.70 m (94 ft 2 in)^[source]Hensoldt Pegasus · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Height: 7.80 m (25 ft 7 in)^[source]Hensoldt Pegasus · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Max takeoff weight: 45,246 kg (99,750 lb)^[source]Hensoldt Pegasus · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Fuel capacity: 20.43 t (45,000 lb)^[source]Hensoldt Pegasus · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Cabin height : 1.88 m (6.2 ft)^[source]Hensoldt Pegasus · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Cabin width : 2.41 m (7.9 ft)^[source]Hensoldt Pegasus · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Cabin length : 14.80 m (48.6 ft)^[source]Hensoldt Pegasus · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Powerplant: 2 × BR700-710A2-20 turbofan , 65.6 kN (14,700 lbf) thrust each^[source]Hensoldt Pegasus · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Maximum speed: 946 km/h (588 mph, 511 kn) (0.89 Mach at a cruise altitude of 41,000 ft (12,000 m))^[source]Hensoldt Pegasus · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Cruise speed: 904 km/h (562 mph, 488 kn) (0.85 Mach at a cruise altitude of 41,000 ft (12,000 m))^[source]Hensoldt Pegasus · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Range: 6,000 km (3,700 mi, 3,200 nmi)^[source]Hensoldt Pegasus · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Service ceiling: 16,000 m (51,000 ft)^[source]Hensoldt Pegasus · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Radar and radio electronic signal collection and analysis: Hensoldt Kalætron Integral (30MHz to 40GHz)^[source]Hensoldt Pegasus · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Reported operators

Reported operator · Argentina
Reported operator · Australia
Reported operator · Belgium
Reported operator · Benin
Reported operator · Biafra
Reported operator · Bangladesh
Reported operator · Bolivia
Reported operator · Brazil
Reported operator · Burma
Reported operator · Cambodia
Reported operator · Canada
Reported operator · Chad
Reported operator · Chile
Reported operator · China
Reported operator · Colombia
Reported operator · Republic of the Congo
Reported operator · Democratic Republic of the Congo
Reported operator · Cuba
Reported operator · Czechoslovakia
Reported operator · Denmark
Reported operator · Dominican Republic
Reported operator · Ecuador
Reported operator · El Salvador
Reported operator · Ethiopia
Reported operator · Finland
Reported operator · France
Reported operator · Gabon
Reported operator · Greece
Reported operator · Guatemala
Reported operator · Haiti
Reported operator · Honduras
Reported operator · Hungary
Reported operator · Iceland
Reported operator · India
Reported operator · Indonesia
Reported operator · Iran
Reported operator · Israel
Reported operator · Italy
Reported operator · Ivory Coast
Reported operator · Jordan
Reported operator · Japan
Reported operator · Kenya
Reported operator · Laos
Reported operator · Libya
Reported operator · Madagascar
Reported operator · Malawi
Reported operator · Mali
Reported operator · Mauritania
Reported operator · Mexico
Reported operator · Monaco
Reported operator · Morocco
Reported operator · Netherlands
Reported operator · New Zealand
Reported operator · Nicaragua
Reported operator · Niger
Reported operator · Nigeria
Reported operator · Northern Rhodesia
Reported operator · Norway
Reported operator · Oman
Reported operator · Pakistan
Reported operator · Panama
Reported operator · Papua New Guinea
Reported operator · Paraguay
Reported operator · Peru
Reported operator · Philippines
Reported operator · Poland
Reported operator · Portugal
Reported operator · Rhodesia
Reported operator · Romania
Reported operator · Rwanda
Reported operator · Saudi Arabia

—