CJ Logistics Delivers by Airplane... Transporting 9 'Black Eagles' Aircraft

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Hyun-seok] CJ Logistics has successfully completed the transportation mission of moving nine Black Eagles aircraft to the United Kingdom.

CJ Logistics announced on the 4th that it successfully completed the "Black Eagles Project," which involved safely transporting nine T-50B aircraft of the Air Force Black Eagles participating in the UK International Airshow to the United Kingdom.

The "Black Eagles Project" is a project to transport the T-50B aircraft and all support equipment of the Air Force special flight team Black Eagles, participating in the Southport, RIAT, and Farnborough Airshows held in the UK from the 9th to the 22nd, from Wonju Air Base to Boscombe Down Airfield in the UK.

Aircraft transportation is known in the industry as the most challenging logistics task due to the size, distance, handling of cutting-edge precision parts, and high-value equipment. CJ Logistics began preparations in April to successfully carry out the project. They deployed three cargo charter planes, 27 vibration-free trailers, 18 convoy vehicles, cranes, forklifts, and other equipment optimized for special cargo, along with numerous experienced professionals.

For safe and efficient transportation, CJ Logistics divided the T-50Bs into groups of three. The same transportation process was repeated three times to deliver a total of nine aircraft to the final destination.

First, the T-50Bs, disassembled into fuselage, wings, horizontal stabilizers, vertical stabilizers, and engines, were packed with specially made waterproof covers and elastic belts for securing, then transported by land from Wonju to Incheon Airport. Afterward, they were loaded onto a B747-400F cargo charter plane and flown 8,800 km, followed by transshipment operations to switch to land transportation at Stansted Airport in the UK.

Finally, the aircraft loaded on 13-meter-long vibration-free trailers, sensitive to vibrations, were transported at low speeds of around 60 km/h, escorted by convoy vehicles, to Boscombe Down Airfield. Upon arrival at the final destination, the T-50Bs will undergo reassembly and be set up to deliver optimal flight performance at the airshow.

After the UK airshow, Black Eagles pilots will fly the T-50Bs back, passing through 13 countries. During this process, they plan to showcase airshows and exhibit aircraft in several countries such as Poland, Egypt, and the Philippines, contributing to defense exports by promoting domestic aviation technology.

Jang Young-ho, Head of CJ Logistics Forwarding Division, said, "It is a great honor to contribute to promoting our country's independently researched and developed aviation technology overseas," adding, "Based on our capabilities and know-how in handling large, heavy cargo and challenging special cargo transportation, we will strive to provide any logistics service our customers desire."

Meanwhile, CJ Logistics also transported nine Black Eagles T-50B aircraft participating in the UK airshow in 2012. They handled land transportation and shipping when returning 15 T-38 trainers used by the Air Force to the US Air Force. They possess know-how in transporting various types of special cargo, including Turkish ancient relics, National Museum artifacts, nuclear power plant equipment, and large theaters.