At the 52nd edition of Paris Air Show, Lockheed Martin officially introduced a new special operations version of its C-130J Super He...
At the 52nd edition of Paris Air Show, Lockheed Martin officially introduced a new special operations version of its C-130J Super Hercules airlifter.
Dubbed the C-130J SOF (Special Operations Forces), the multi-mission aircraft is configured to execute strategic military operations and is intended for international customers.
The C-130J-SOF is designed to execute Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and psychological operations, airdrop resupply, personnel recovery, humanitarian relief, as well as infiltration, exfiltration and re-supply of SOF personnel.
With added special mission equipment options, the C-130J-SOF may also be configured for armed overwatch that includes a 30 mm gun and Hellfire missiles, helicopter/fighter/vertical lift aerial refueling, and Forward Area Refueling Point (FARP) operations.
For survivability in hostile regions, the SOF variant will have additional armoring and defensive systems such as directed infrared countermeasures.
The variant will have more powerful generators to meet increased power requirement of sensors like electro-optical/infrared pods, satellite communication system and wideband LOS data link.
Like the C-130J, the SOF variant will have a range of more than 4,000 miles (3,478 nautical miles), and service ceiling of 33,000 feet (10,000 meters).
Lockheed estimates a potential market for up to 200 of the type, and can commence delivery within 36 months of an order.
Possible customers include France, New Zealand and Germany.
The C-130J-SOF is the 10th production variant of the Super Hercules. The C-130J entered service in 1998 and is the latest upgrade of the venerable C-130 which first flew in 1954.
