Article Posted on : - Sep 23, 2010

Lockheed on Tuesday released the image of the first C-130J Super Hercules it is readying for India.

MARIETTA, US (BNS): The first C-130J Super Hercules military transport aircraft for India is all set to enter flight trials early next month.

The first of the six C-130J airlifter India has ordered from the US began its engine run on Tuesday.

“The aircraft is being prepared for its maiden flight early next month,” its manufacturer Lockheed Martin said.

Releasing images of the first Super Hercules, the company said the aircraft’s distinctive air-to-air refueling probe can be seen over the left side of the cockpit.

The first C-130J is scheduled to be delivered to the Indian Air Force in December this year. It would further undergo a flight trial in the Indian environment, before being formally inducted in the IAF by early 2011.

India had ordered the six C-130Js worth around $1 billion under an inter-governmental deal with the US in 2007.

The four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft will carry a maximum payload of around 20 tonne. It will be used to perform precision low-level flying, airdrops and landing in blackout conditions. Self protection systems and other features are included to ensure aircraft survivability in hostile air defence environments.

The aircraft is also equipped with air-to-air receiver refueling capability for extended range operations.

Lockheed will provide training support to the IAF aircrews and ground technicians for the aircraft.