Aeronautical Engineering/The A-Team Movie

Advertisement

Expert: - 6/10/2011


Question
The A-Team Movie
The A-Team Movie
"As seen in the movie, can a parachute suspended tank, wherein the A-Team escape from an exploding plane, be easily maneuvered in midair using the inboard cannon, simultaneously discarding enemy aircraft like its a game of Duck Hunt?

Secondly, can the "landing" in the lake (also in the movie) be done without damage to the passengers and tank?

Finally, can the tank actually be started and operated underwater without an air intake, as seen in the movie?"

Answer
Hi Andrew
I have never seen this movie, but based on your description there are a few technical problems.  First, the terminal velocity of an object dropping by parachute depends on the weight of the object and parachute area.  For a 800 ft^2 (74 m^2) parachute and a 30 ton tank that works out to be around 250 ft/sec (77 m/s). That is quite a high descent rate.  If you did shoot the canon the tank would move in the opposite direction, but I would not call it an easy to control maneuver.  And it would be difficult to hit an aircraft.  As for landing, the high descent rate would make for a severe shock on equipment and people inside. Finally, all gas or diesel engines require air to operate.  Underwater, that would be virtually impossible without a special air supply.  But Hollywood is the land of make-believe isn't it.
Paul

Paul Soderman

Expertise

Aeronautics, Fluid Mechanics, Aeroacoustics, Noise Control, Muffler Design, Wind Tunnel Research.... I know nothing about India - do not ask about schools, jobs, application requirements, career choices, etc. for India. Please, no text message verbiage; I prefer full words in full sentences. Thanks.

Experience

38 years as research engineer at NASA

Publications
AIAA, NASA

Education/Credentials
B.S. and M.S. Aeronautical Engineering - U. of Washington Graduate work Standford U.

Awards and Honors
AIAA Associate Fellow (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics)

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.