C-130J Goes Into Day-to-Day Service

After a year establishing an unprecedented 54 new or improved world distance, height, speed and other performance records for heavy lift and turboprop aircraft, the Hercules C-130J is now bringing its capabilities into day-to-day service.

To date, 42 have been delivered to the U.S. Air Force, the Royal Australian Air Force, and to Britain's Royal Air Force, Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard.

Lockheed Martin pilot Arlen Rens, who is responsible for customer training on the aircraft, set the (STOL) 40,386 ft height record with the RAF's Group Captain Jeff Bullen, with an operational-payload takeoff in 915 ft and landing in 1,224 ft.

Rens points out however, that though this record-setting has its publicity perks, the attainments are of real operational significance for military users.

The RAF has the first eight of its complement of 15 C-130J-30 extended versions now engaged on crew training at Lyneham.

Two C-130J-30s and the first C-130J are undergoing acceptance trials at Boscombe Down; one more new Hercules is scheduled to arrive every three weeks until the full fleet of 15 stretched and 10 standard 130Js are at Lyneham by May of next year.

"With the arrival of each new aircraft we are saying farewell to two of our old Fat Alberts," says Squadron Leader Christopher Bartle at Lyneham. "So there's a buzz at receiving the new aircraft, but a tinge of sadness at losing some of these oldies. Some have been an essential part of our transport fleet since 1967 -- more than 30 years."
Lockheed Martin is taking back two C-130Ks for each one replacement aircraft, but of the 50 flying westwards into the sunset, 29 are being returned, modified, and spruced up for further service until a planned retirement in 2008.

There have been more than 300 upgrades to structure and systems in developing the 130J, but the outstanding feature as it stands among its predecessors are its four 6-bladed sickle-shaped composite TI Dowty propellers.

Inside, the fully integrated digital cockpit is designed for two-pilot operation.
Its wide field of view head-up display for both pilots is the first certified as the primary flying instrument by the FAA for a military aircraft.

Among its other on-board refinements are twin mission computers, digitized world map and a TCAS traffic alert and collision avoidance system.

Lockheed Martin has established a 30,000-square-foot purpose-built Total Training facility at Lyneham, already known as "the schoolhouse." It includes interactive computer-based training systems and two state-of-the-art flight simulators, where air and ground crews are training together.

Squadron Leader Bartle suggests the crews could become fully operational without setting foot in a real aircraft.

The first two full crews began training in June. 24 Squadron, the first to be re-equipped, will have the first 10 crews fully trained for its 12 aircraft, and operational during September.

With the C-130Js, the RAF anticipates a 65% reduction in maintenance man-hours and lower overall operating and support costs of 32%.

A dedicated service store on the J-line is providing a range of 600 rotable and 2,700 consumable spare parts.

By Steve Morris