Farnborough Air Show: Lockheed unveils new technologies, configuartions for the C-130J Super Hercules
16 Jul 2008
Farnborough, England: Lockheed Martin officials have unveiled new configurations and technologies that will equip the C-130J Super Hercules at the Farnborough Air Show.
Officials provided an insight into the new HC-130J and MC-130J configurations, which have been recently selected by the US Air Force to replace the ageing fleets of both the Air Combat Command and Special Operations Command.
Three new technologies related to mission planning, mapping and GPS systems were also unveiled.
The new HC and MC configurations are based on the proven KC-130J operated by the United States Marine Corps (USMC). The capabilities of the KC-130J very closely match the requirements for HC/MC-130 missions and will require very little modification.
Officials said that the KC-130J is performing at, or above, expectations in operational service in South-West Asia, as the tactical tanker for Marine Corps fighters and helicopters. The air-to-air refuelling 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:
Global Digital Map Unit, which has been built by Israel's Elbit Systems, will enhance tactical operations and provide far more data to the crew.
TacView Portable Mission Display, which has been built by Canada's CMC, places mission functionality at the flight crew's fingertips and vastly improves mission and in-flight re-planning.
CMC's InegriFlight commercial GPS Landing System Sensor Unit fulfills the C-130J programme'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. Air Combat Command and Special Operations Command have ordered new fleets.
The Marine Corps operates KC-130J tankers and the Coast Guard flies the HC-130J.
Globally, the C-130J is in service with 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.