Tag Archives: C-130J Super Hercules

Air, Navy

E-XX TACAMO

Northrop Grumman Corporation is leveraging its weapons system integration and battle management leadership to compete for the U.S. Navy’s E-XX TACAMO fleet of aircraft systems.

E-XX TACAMO
Northrop Grumman offers battle management, command and control expertise for US Navy’s E-XX TACAMO program (Credit: Northrop Grumman)

The U.S. Navy’s E-XX TACAMO aircraft will be based on the C-130J Super Hercules platform, and provides connectivity between the National Command Authority and ballistic submarines capable of delivering nuclear weapons. The U.S. Navy currently operates a fleet of E-6B Mercury aircraft to provide survivable, reliable and endurable airborne command, control and communications between the National Command Authority and U.S. strategic and non-strategic forces. The U.S. Navy intends to replace the E-6B Mercury fleet with the E-XX TACAMO to modernize this critical strategic deterrent mission.

«Our extensive experience integrating aircraft and mission systems, combined with our expertise in creating operationally-ready solutions in support of the nuclear enterprise, makes Northrop Grumman the optimal partner to deliver the U.S. Navy’s E-XX TACAMO weapon system», said Janice Zilch, vice president, multi-domain command and control programs, Northrop Grumman. «As we’ve demonstrated with the U.S. Navy’s E-2 Hawkeye programs, we have been a longtime partner in helping the Navy meet its operational requirements. We will bring this expertise in helping the U.S. Navy deliver the E-XX TACAMO on time and optimized for this strategically important mission».

For more than six decades, Northrop Grumman has delivered on the development, production and modification of the Navy’s E-2 Hawkeye system as the prime contractor, and continues to provide total mission assurance with proven solutions that are secure, survivable, multi-layered systems designed for total weapon system security.

«Our team has vast knowledge and expertise in delivering critical command and control, and nuclear enterprise capabilities», said Henry Cyr, director, multi-domain command and control capture programs, Northrop Grumman. «We perform challenging work that has a real-world impact. You can see that on our legacy platforms, the platforms currently in operation, and the platforms we will deliver tomorrow».

Air, Air Force, Cargo

500th C-130J Airlifter

Hercules history is made once again, with the announcement that Lockheed Martin recently delivered its 500th C-130J Super Hercules airlifter. This Super Hercules (Lockheed Martin aircraft #5934) is a C-130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 130th Airlift Wing located at McLaughlin Air National Guard Base in Charleston, West Virginia. The 130th Airlift Wing is a longtime C-130 operator that is currently modernizing its legacy Hercules fleet with C-130Js.

C-130J Super Hercules
Lockheed Martin Reaches Super Herculean Milestone with Delivery Of 500th C-130J Airlifter

The U.S. government operates the largest C-130J Super Hercules fleet in the world. This delivery represents the U.S. government’s continued transition to the C-130J Super Hercules as the common platform across the Air Force, the Marine Corps and the Coast Guard.

«This delivery represents the thousands of people – past and present – that design, build, fly, maintain and support C-130Js around the world», said Rod McLean, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin’s Air Mobility & Maritime Missions (AMMM) line of business. «Like its namesake, the C-130J Super Hercules is a legend defined by its strength and power. Yet, it is the people who are part of the C-130J operator, production, supplier and industry partner communities who truly define the Super Hercules and helped the C-130J Program reach this monumental achievement».

The C-130J Super Hercules is the current production model of the legendary C-130 Hercules aircraft. The airlift choice of 26 operators in 22 nations, the global C-130 fleet has surpassed more than 2 million flight hours and holds more than 54 world records.

Defined by its versatility, there are 17 different mission configurations of the C-130J Super Hercules that includes transport (military and commercial), humanitarian aid delivery, aerial firefighting, natural disaster relief support, medevac, search and rescue, weather reconnaissance, and aerial refueling.

As the most advanced C-130 ever produced, the C-130J-30 Super Hercules (which is 15 feet/4.6 m longer than legacy C-130 models) offers these enhancements and advancements compared to legacy models:

  • 30% more passengers and cargo;
  • 50% more CDS bundles;
  • 44% more paratroopers;
  • 30% crew reduction;
  • 14% more fuel efficient;
  • 20% improvement in payload/range capability;
  • Integrated defensive suite and 250 knot ramp/door;
  • Automated maintenance fault reporting;
  • Unmatched situational awareness with digital avionics and dual HUD.
Air Force

Block 8.1 upgrades

Airmen conducted a training flight using the first C-130J Super Hercules with a Block 8.1 upgrade at Little Rock Air Force Base (AFB) February 3, 2017.

Captain Kyle Gauthier, a 61st Airlift Squadron C-130J Super Hercules pilot and the flight commander, conducts a preflight checklist for a training sortie flight February 3, 2017, at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas. During the flight, aircrews tested the operability of recent hardware and software upgrades (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Harry Brexel)
Captain Kyle Gauthier, a 61st Airlift Squadron C-130J Super Hercules pilot and the flight commander, conducts a preflight checklist for a training sortie flight February 3, 2017, at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas. During the flight, aircrews tested the operability of recent hardware and software upgrades (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Harry Brexel)

The Block 8.1 upgrade enhances GPS capabilities, communications systems, updated friend-or-foe identification and allows the C-130J Super Hercules to comply with worldwide air traffic management regulations. Additionally, the upgrade program will standardize aviation systems to improve interoperability.

«This update will truly allow us to have unhindered global access», said Captain Kyle Gauthier, a 61st Airlift Squadron C-130J Super Hercules instructor pilot and the flight commander. «It will also provide pilots improved situational awareness, and a greater ability to communicate with command and control around the world».

Over the next two years Airmen from the 19th and 314th Airlift Wings will team together to test the only two Block 8.1 upgraded C-130J’s in the world at Little Rock AFB. Loadmasters, pilots and maintainers will work with Lockheed Martin to report any bugs or potential issues.

«We have put thousands of maintenance hours into this plane since it arrived», said Master Sergeant Brian Johnson, the 19th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron production superintendent. «We’re excited to see it finally up in the air».

Gauthier said, «Flying with such a new system can be difficult, but it is exciting to know you’re shaping the future of C-130J operations worldwide».

 

C-130J Super Hercules

Power Plant Four Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3 turboprops; 4,691 horsepower/3,498 kW
Length 97 feet, 9 inch/29.3 m
Height 38 feet, 10 inch/11. 9 m
Wingspan 132 feet, 7 inch/39.7 m
Cargo Compartment Length – 40 feet/12.31 m; width – 119 inch/3.12 m; height – 9 feet/2.74 m
Rear ramp Length – 123 inch/3.12 m; width – 119 inch/3.02 m
Speed 362 knots/Mach 0.59/417 mph/671 km/h at 22,000 feet/6,706 m
Ceiling 28,000 feet/8,615 m with 42,000 lbs/19,090 kg payload
Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) 155,000 lbs/69,750 kg
Maximum Allowable Payload 42,000 lbs/19,090 kg
Maximum Normal Payload 34,000 lbs/15,422 kg
Range at Maximum Normal Payload 1,800 NM/2,071 miles/3,333 km
Range with 35,000 lbs/15,876 kg of Payload 1,600 NM/1,841 miles/2,963 km
Maximum Load 6 pallets or 74 litters or 16 CDS bundles or 92 combat troops or 64 paratroopers, or a combination of any of these up to the cargo compartment capacity or maximum allowable weight
Crew Three (two pilots and loadmaster)

 

Air

32 Super Hercules

Lockheed Martin will deliver 78 C-130J Super Hercules to the U.S. government through a C-130J Multiyear II contract, which was announced by the U.S. government on December 30, 2015.

The C-130J Super Hercules is the most flexible airlifter in the world
The C-130J Super Hercules is the most flexible airlifter in the world

The Department of Defense announced the award of more than $1 billion ($1,060,940,036) in funding for the first 32 aircraft of the Multiyear contract (13 C-130J-30, five HC-130J, 11 MC-130J, two KC-130J and one U.S. Coast Guard HC-130J aircraft). The overall contract, worth $5.3 billion, provides 78 Super Hercules aircraft to the U.S. Air Force (30 MC-130Js, 13 HC-130Js and 29 C-130J-30s) and the U.S. Marine Corps (six KC-130Js). Also through this contract, the U.S. Coast Guard has the option to acquire five HC-130Js. Aircraft purchased through the multiyear contract will deliver between 2016 and 2020.

«We are proud to partner with the U.S. government to continue to deliver to the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard the world’s most proven, versatile and advanced airlifter», said George Shultz, vice president and general manager, Air Mobility & Maritime Missions at Lockheed Martin. «This multiyear contract provides true value to our U.S. operators as they recapitalize and expand their much-relied-upon Hercules aircraft, which has the distinction of being the world’s largest and most tasked C-130 fleet».

The C-130J-30 Super Hercules is a stretch version of the C-130J
The C-130J-30 Super Hercules is a stretch version of the C-130J

Constructed in alignment with the U.S. government’s Better Buying Power initiative, this contract provides significant savings to the U.S. government through multiyear procurement as compared to annual buys.

Lockheed Martin provided 60 C-130Js to the U.S. government through an initial multiyear contract announced in 2003, which delivered aircraft to the U.S. Air Force and U.S Marine Corps from 2003-2008.

The C-130J Super Hercules is the standard in tactical airlift, providing a unique mix of versatility and performance to complete any mission, anytime, anywhere. It is the airlifter of choice for 16 nations and 19 different operators. The Super Hercules worldwide fleet has more than 1.3 million flight hours to its credit.

The HC-130J Combat King II – this C-130J variation specializes in tactical profiles and avoiding detection and recovery operations in austere environments
The HC-130J Combat King II – this C-130J variation specializes in tactical profiles and avoiding detection and recovery operations in austere environments

 

C-130J Super Hercules

Power Plant Four Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3 turboprops; 4,691 horsepower/3,498 kW
Length 97 feet, 9 inch/29.3 m
Height 38 feet, 10 inch/11. 9 m
Wingspan 132 feet, 7 inch/39.7 m
Cargo Compartment Length – 40 feet/12.31 m; width – 119 inch/3.12 m; height – 9 feet/2.74 m
Rear ramp Length – 123 inch/3.12 m; width – 119 inch/3.02 m
Speed 362 knots/Mach 0.59/417 mph/671 km/h at 22,000 feet/6,706 m
Ceiling 28,000 feet/8,615 m with 42,000 lbs/19,090 kg payload
Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) 155,000 lbs/69,750 kg
Maximum Allowable Payload 42,000 lbs/19,090 kg
Maximum Normal Payload 34,000 lbs/15,422 kg
Range at Maximum Normal Payload 1,800 NM/2,071 miles/3,333 km
Range with 35,000 lbs/15,876 kg of Payload 1,600 NM/1,841 miles/2,963 km
Maximum Load 6 pallets or 74 litters or 16 CDS bundles or 92 combat troops or 64 paratroopers, or a combination of any of these up to the cargo compartment capacity or maximum allowable weight
Crew Three (two pilots and loadmaster)
The MC-130J Commando II is assigned to the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)
The MC-130J Commando II is assigned to the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

 

C-130J-30 Super Hercules

Power Plant Four Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3 turboprops; 4,691 horsepower/3,498 kW
Length 112 feet, 9 inch/34.69 m
Height 38 feet, 10 inch/11. 9 m
Wingspan 132 feet, 7 inch/39.7 m
Cargo Compartment Length – 55 feet/16.9 m; width – 119 inch/3.12 m; height – 9 feet/2.74 m
Rear ramp Length – 123 inch/3.12 m; width – 119 inch/3.02 m
Speed 356 knots/Mach 0.58/410 mph/660 km/h at 22,000 feet/6,706 m
Ceiling 26,000 feet/8,000 m with 44,500 lbs/20,227 kg payload
Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) 164,000 lbs/74,393 kg
Maximum Allowable Payload 44,000 lbs/19,958 kg
Maximum Normal Payload 36,000 lbs/16,329 kg
Range at Maximum Normal Payload 2,100 NM/2,417 miles/3,890 km
Range with 35,000 lbs/15,876 kg of Payload 1,700 NM/1,956 miles/3,148 km
Maximum Load 8 pallets or 97 litters or 24 CDS bundles or 128 combat troops or 92 paratroopers, or a combination of any of these up to the cargo compartment capacity or maximum allowable weight
Crew Three (two pilots and loadmaster)
The KC-130J Tanker is the global leader in aerial refueling for tactical and tiltrotor aircraft and helicopters
The KC-130J Tanker is the global leader in aerial refueling for tactical and tiltrotor aircraft and helicopters