Report Says Plane Not Suitable For Global Ops

Flaws in its anti-missile defense system could spell trouble for the Lockheed Martin C-130J in certain theaters, according to a Pentagon weapons testing report.

Bloomberg News states the Pentagon labelled the C-130J "not effective for worldwide operations," as its defenses may be vulnerable to the more sophisticated anti-aircraft rockets used by such countries as North Korea, Iran and China. Those problems are less apparent in Iraq, where four planes are in service... but only because insurgents there rely on older, handheld rockets.

The Pentagon also states the C-130J cannot drop paratroopers while flying in formation, due to flaws in a computer meant to keep planes spaced a safe distance from each other. And another onboard diagnostic system is prone to false alarms.

As Aero-News reported, the "J" model derivative of the storied C-130 Hercules was declared operationally capable by the US Air Force last year. The USAF has a $4 billion order in place for 60 new C-130Js through 2008, with Pentagon approval to buy 30 more through 2013, according to Bloomberg.

News of the Pentagon's findings could spell trouble for those orders, however, among lawmakers in Congress who are opposed to the multiyear contracts.

A spokesman for Lockheed Martin says the company hasn't reviewed the Pentagon's findings.

"The aircraft is currently deployed in two combat theaters, is being flown by both US and allied operators and is operating at a very high tempo efficiently and reliably," said Thomas Jurkowsky.

According to the Air Force, the C-130J is the latest addition to the C-130 fleet, and is intended to replace aging C-130E's. The C-130J incorporates state-of-the-art technology to reduce manpower requirements, lower operating and support costs, and provides life-cycle cost savings over earlier C-130 models. Compared to older C-130s, the J model climbs faster and higher, flies farther at a higher cruise speed, and takes off and lands in a shorter distance.

C-130J/J-30 major system improvements include: advanced two-pilot flight station with fully integrated digital avionics; color multifunctional liquid crystal displays and head-up displays; state-of-the-art navigation systems with dual inertial navigation system and global positioning system; fully integrated defensive systems; low-power color radar; digital moving map display; new turboprop engines with six-bladed, all-composite propellers; digital auto pilot; improved fuel, environmental and ice-protection systems; and an enhanced cargo-handling system.

FMI: www.lockheedmartin.com