Lockheed Martin has handed over an additional two C-130J Super Hercules tactical transport aircraft to the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) at its facility in Marietta, Georgia, US.
Around four C-130J longer fuselage or ‘stretched’ combat delivery variants were ordered by South Korea along with a two-year support package comprising aircrew and maintenance training from Lockheed in February 2010.
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The first two aircraft were received by ROKAF in March, making South Korea the 14th country in the world to fly the combat proven C-130J Super Hercules family.
A longer fuselage or stretched combat delivery variant of legacy C-130 Hercules, the aircraft is designed to provide greater operational efficiency than ROKAF’s existing H model aircraft by rapidly flying to longer distances, with more payload and enhanced reliability.
South Korea currently operates 12 H-model C-130 transports, including four stretched-fuselage variants, which were delivered between 1987 and 1990, as reported earlier by Flightglobal.
Powered by four Allison AE2100D3 turboprop engines, the C-130J Super Hercules is designed to conduct airborne assault, search-and-rescue (SAR), scientific research support, weather reconnaissance and aerial refuelling, and maritime patrol and aerial firefighting missions.
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By GlobalDataFitted with a glass cockpit, digital avionics and a new propulsion system with a six-bladed propeller, the aircraft can accommodate a payload of up to 20t and more than 90 passengers.
The aircraft is also operated by the air forces of Australia, Canada, Denmark, India, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Kuwait, Norway, Oman, Qatar, the UK and the US.
Image:A C-130J Super Hercules tactical transport aircraft of the Republic of Korea Air Force. Photo: courtesy of John Rossino.
