taildragger
You can count on me - I won a contest
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That proposed version probably served to make a point about the versatility of a large airlifter, but would probably be worse than useless. Orbis and other NGOs fit out large aircraft in this manner, but they're typically used in non-crisis humanitarian projects, not the sort of disaster relief efforts that militaries are called on to support. Better just to have portable hospitals available that can be transported by a standard airlifter. Some of the minuses to a dedicated flying hospital:
- taking a $200M asset away from the task of flying in supplies to perform a role that can be done by a tent
- takes up ramp space that may be in short supply, limiting the delivery of supplies
- requires that casualties be brought to the nearest airfield. A tent can usually be set up much closer to the disaster area.
- the hospital's availability is tied to the aircraft so that if the aircraft is in for major maintenance, the hospital is closed. I don't think tent hospitals have to be regularly torn down for major maintenance.
- taking a $200M asset away from the task of flying in supplies to perform a role that can be done by a tent
- takes up ramp space that may be in short supply, limiting the delivery of supplies
- requires that casualties be brought to the nearest airfield. A tent can usually be set up much closer to the disaster area.
- the hospital's availability is tied to the aircraft so that if the aircraft is in for major maintenance, the hospital is closed. I don't think tent hospitals have to be regularly torn down for major maintenance.
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