C-23 Sherpa

The C-23 is an adaptation of the Shorts 330 civil short-takeoff-and-landing (STOL) utility transport, used for the U.S. Air Force European Distribution Aircraft System. In its more powerful C-23B variant, the Sherpa was also adopted by the U.S. Army National Guard to replace aging C-7 Caribou STOL transports. Funding for the Sherpa's replacement in the U.S. began with the fiscal 2005 defense budget.

The C-23 has a straight, high aspect ratio wing set high on the boxy fuselage. The...