Lockheed Martin has delivered two additional C-130J Super Hercules tactical transport aircraft to the US Air Force (USAF) from its facility in Marietta, Georgia, US.
The new aircraft include a MC-130J Commando II which has been assigned to the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), at Hurlburt Field in Florida and a HC-130J Combat King II assigned to Air Combat Command at Moody Air Force Base in Georgia.
Last week, the Moody Air Force Base received a new HC-130J Combat King II personnel recovery aircraft, which is Lockheed Martin’s 2,500th C-130 Hercules delivered so far.
The new aircraft will join the USAF’s 71st Rescue Squadron, which is part of the 347th Rescue Group.
In October, the USAF received two MC-130J Commando II aircraft assigned to the AFSOC, for operations in Japan and the UK.
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 fire fighting missions.
Fitted 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: HC-130J Combat King II assigned to Air Combat Command at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. Photo: Lockheed Martin photo by David Key.
