Super Herc's Now Available In Special Ops, Air Combat Command
Models
Lockheed Martin briefed reporters at
the Farnborough International Airshow this week about new
configurations and new technologies for the C-130J Super Hercules.
Company officials provided details of the new HC-130J and MC-130J
configurations, recently selected by the US Air Force to replace
the aging fleets of both Air Combat Command and Special Operations
Command aircraft. Additionally, three new technologies related to
mission planning, mapping and GPS systems were also unveiled.
"Tactical air mobility requirements are both constant and
changing," said Ross Reynolds, vice president of C-130 Programs for
Lockheed Martin. "For years, the C-130 has been the mainstay for
tactical air mobility and now the Super Hercules is evolving to
meet new requirements associated with twenty-first century
operational environments. Presenting new customers, new roles, new
missions and new technologies gives us tremendous pride in this
amazing aircraft."
The new HC and MC configurations are based on the KC-130J
operated by the United States Marine Corps. Lockheed says that
plane's already impressive capabilities very closely match the
requirements for HC/MC-130 missions and will require very little
modification. The KC-130J is performing at or above expectations in
operational service in Southwest Asia as the tactical tanker for
Marine Corps fighters and helicopters. The air-to-air refueling
mission of the KC-130J is very similar to the requirements set out
by the Air Force for the HC/MC-130 program.
Three new technologies were also unveiled that will be included
in the baseline configuration of all new C-130Js. They include a
Global Digital Map Unit built by Israel's Elbit Systems, that
Lockheed says will enhance tactical operations and provide far more
data to the crew.
Also slated for new C-130Js is the TacView Portable Mission
Display built by Canada's CMC, which places mission functionality
at the flight crew's fingertips and vastly improves mission and
in-flight re-planning. Lastly, CMC's InegriFlight commercial GPS
Landing System Sensor Unit fulfills the C-130J program's
requirement for an Instrument Flight Rules, civil-certified Global
Navigational Satellite System.
In the United States, Air Mobility Command, Air Education and
Training Command, Air Force Reserve Command and Air National Guard
units fly C-130Js. The Marine Corps operates KC-130J tankers and
the Coast Guard flies the HC-130J. Air Combat Command and Special
Operations Command have ordered new fleets. Around the world C-130J
operators include the Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force,
Italian Air Force and Royal Danish Air Force. Norway, Canada and
India have ordered new C-130J fleets.