Article Posted on : - Jun 17, 2011

C-130J Super Hercules

MARIETTA (BNS): To increase the airlift power of India, the third and fourth of six C-130J Super Hercules has left the Lockheed Martin facility in Marietta, Georgia to reach the Air Force Station Hindan in India, the company announced Thursday.

The remaining two C-130J Super Hercules will be delivered to India by this summer.

In 2008, India had signed a $1.2 billion deal with US for the procurement of six C-130J Super Hercules for the Indian Air Force.

According to the company, the C-130J is ideally suited to India's mission environment, which often involves operating out of austere, high elevation airstrips in hot conditions.

Equipped with an Infrared Detection Set, the aircraft can 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 also is equipped with air-to-air receiver refueling capability for extended range operations.

The first C-130J rolled off the assembly line in October 1995. That same aircraft, which had been ordered by the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force, flew for the first time on April 5, 1996.

Following one of the most comprehensive flight tests programmes ever, the C-130J received type certification from the Federal Aviation Administration in August 1998, and deliveries began soon afterward.