Lockheed Martin has successfully completed the first test flight of the Republic of Korea Air Force’s (ROKAF) first C-130J Super Hercules tactical aircraft at its production facility in Marietta, Georgia, US.
Numbered 5730, the aircraft was rolled out by Lockheed in its official tri-colour camouflage paint scheme at the same facility in June 2013.
The aircraft represents the first of four C-130Js ordered by South Korea along with a two-year support package comprising aircrew and maintenance training for ROKAF personnel in February 2010.
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, as well as maritime patrol and aerial firefighting missions.
Capable of accommodating a payload of up to 20t and more than 90 passengers, the aircraft features a glass cockpit, digital avionics and a new propulsion system with a six-bladed propeller.
A longer fuselage or stretched combat delivery variant of legacy C-130 Hercules, the aircraft is designed to generate greater operational efficiency than ROKAF’s existing H model aircraft by rapidly flying to longer distances, with more payload and enhanced reliability.
The aircraft is also in service with air forces in Australia, Canada, Denmark, India, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Kuwait, Norway, Oman, Qatar, the UK and the US.
South Korea currently operates 12 H-model Hercules transport aircraft, including four stretched-fuselage variants, which had been delivered between 1987 and 1990, Flight Global reports.
The first C-130J aircraft is scheduled to be delivered in 2014.
South Korea currently operates 12 H-model Hercules transport aircraft, including four stretched-fuselage variants, which had been delivered between 1987 and 1990, Flight Global reports.
Image: South Korea’s first C-130J aircraft in a three-colour camouflage scheme at Lockheed’s facility in Georgia, US. Photo: courtesy of Andrew McMurtrie.
