
The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has officially opened the first squadron of its C-130J Super Hercules tactical transport aircraft during a ceremony at the Nevatim Airbase near Be’er Sheva, Israel.
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Also known as ‘Elephants’, the squadron had operated the C-130J predecessor, the C-130 Hercules, until it closed more than five months ago.
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The squadron is slated to operate the advanced transport plane, which will be nicknamed Shimshon in IAF service, from 2014.
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An advanced variant of the C-130 Hercules plane currently operated by the "Yellow Birds" squadron, the C130-J Super Hercules resembles its predecessor, but is wider, faster, and can carry more equipment.
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Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, Navatim Airbase commander brigadier general Lihu Hacohen said, ”The Hercules C-130J plane gives the force new capabilities and more possibilities."
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The aircraft is expected to be integrated with domestically manufactured systems that will increase its suitability to the IAF’s mission.
Three C-130J-30 aircraft were ordered by the IAF under US foreign military sales (FMS) programmes in 2010 and 2011 respectively, to help replace its ageing C-130E Hercules fleet, which was acquired in the 1970s.
An extended fuselage variant of the C-130J Hercules, the C-130J-30 is a four-engine, medium-lift military transport aircraft designed to carry out a wide range of military, civilian and humanitarian assistance operations in harsh environments worldwide.
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In addition to an expanded cargo compartment, the aircraft also features a two-pilot flight station with fully-integrated digital avionics, colour multifunctional liquid crystal displays and head-up displays, and enhanced navigation systems with dual inertial navigation system and GPS.
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The aircraft is also operational with the air forces in the US, Australia, Canada, Denmark, India and Norway.
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Lockheed Martin handed over the first aircraft to the IAF at its production facility in Georgia, US, in July 2013, while in-country delivery is scheduled to take place in April 2014.
Image: IAF’s new C-130J Super Hercules aircraft will be operated by the newly opened Elephants Squadron from 2014. Photo: courtesy of the IAF.