LUSAC

The LUSAC, developed by the Engineering Division in the late 1970s, represents a milestone in medium‑range transport design. Conceived as a response to increasing demand for versatile cargo‑passenger aircraft, the program began in 1974 under the codename “Logistics Utility Strategic Air Carrier.” After a rigorous prototype phase, the first flight occurred on 12 March 1979, and the type entered commercial service with several European airlines in 1981.

Key features include a high‑wing monocoque fuselage of advanced aluminum‑lithium alloy, twin turbofan engines mounted on the wing root, and a modular interior that can be reconfigured in under two hours. The LUSAC’s 27‑meter wingspan provides a lift‑to‑drag ratio superior to contemporary models, granting a range of 5,200 km while carrying up to 32 tonnes of payload. Fly‑by‑wire flight controls, integrated avionics with early glass‑cockpit displays, and a reinforced landing gear enable operations from unpaved runways and short fields.

Its significance lies in proving that a single platform could efficiently serve both cargo and passenger markets, influencing later designs such as the Eurocargo 2000. The LUSAC remains a reference point for multi‑role efficiency and durability in aviation history.