Photo by Coil B. Thouanel

In January 1973 the Learjet 26 flew as prototype for the Learjet 30 series. The Learjet 26 introduced a larger airframe and Garrett TFE731 turbofans in place of the Learjet 25s General Electric CJ610 turbojets. The two production models were the eight passenger Learjet 35 and the six passenger Learjet 36 with greater fuel capacity. Both entered service in 1974. Gates also offered the model in upgraded form on the Military market, and secured small but nonetheless useful orders. Among those to respond was the US. Air Force, which saw the Learjet 35A as the second element of its Operational Support Aircraft requirement. In 1983 the service leased 80 Learjet 35As from the manufacturer, and these were delivered between March 1984 and October 1985 to replaced the North American CT-39 Saberliner, a turbojet powered type that was becoming prohibitively expensive to maintain and operate. The new aircraft were soon in service as C-21As for the movement of high priority supplies and in other support tasks. In 1986 the USAF bought the C-21As. 

Propulsion

Performance