The Fizzled-Out Promise of the Lockheed ‘Flatbed’

The concept aircraft would utilize an open platform and various modules to carry a wide variety of loads ranging from military equipment to passengers.

Jason McDowell

Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at 12:14 PM ET

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Unconventional in many respects, an initial study found the Lockheed ‘Flatbed’ concept both technically and economically feasible. [Credit: Lockheed]

Key Takeaways:

Lockheed's 1980 "Flatbed" concept was a versatile aircraft designed to combine passenger, standard cargo, and outsized cargo transport using an open platform and interchangeable modules.
Its most unconventional feature was the proposed open-air transport of large military equipment, which significantly increased drag and fuel consumption, though solutions like vortex control were explored to mitigate these issues.
The modular design allowed for various configurations, including passenger pods that could be loaded off-airport, aiming for efficient turnaround times and high aircraft utilization.
Despite initial studies concluding the Flatbed was technically and economically feasible due to its versatility, the concept never progressed beyond the research phase.

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In 1980, a small team of engineers from Lockheed explored a bizarre concept, the likes of which had never been studied before.

The group recognized that the transport aircraft category traditionally comprised three separate subcategories—passenger, cargo, and outsized cargo. It then created a concept that would combine all three. Aptly called the “Flatbed,” the concept aircraft would utilize an open platform and various modules to carry a wide variety of loads ranging from military equipment to passengers.