With 90 of the 118 C-130Js on order now delivered to five customer air arms, Lockheed Martin took the opportunity at Farnborough to detail the aircraft's status with its various operators.
The launch customer, Britain's Royal Air Force, has received all 25 of its aircraft, comprising 10 short-bodied and 15 stretched examples.
These equip the two ‘route' squadrons of the Lyneham Transport Wing, leaving the tactical squadrons operating the legacy aircraft.
Tactical trials have been completed; the RAF aircraft have been used to support British operations in Afghanistan, and a full release to service is expected later this summer.
All 12 of Australia's C-130Js have been accepted into service, while Italy has 12 of the 22 aircraft ordered, and has achieved full operational status with the type. Denmark, the latest export customer, will receive the first of its three C-130Js next year.
Basic
The USAF has 17 basic transport C-130Js in service, eight based at Baltimore, four at Keesler, three at Rhode Island, and two at Channel Island in California.
The remaining five aircraft will go to Little Rock, Rhode Island and Channel Island.
The USAF also has one 10-aircraft squadron operating the WC-130J meteorological reconnaissance aircraft, and four of five EC-130Js have been delivered for modification, with the first due to re-enter service later this year.
The basic transport C-130J has received its ‘Go to War' software load, and has accomplished air drop and paradrop testing, austere dirt strip landing trials and formation flying trials.
‘Peculiars'
The 2003 Defense Budget contains funding for 40 more stretched CC-130Js for the US Air Force, of a total requirement estimated at 168 aircraft.
The US Marine Corps has received nine of its 13 KC-130J tankers, and 24 more have been funded in the 2003 budget, of a total requirement for 51-79 aircraft.
The first of six HC-130Js ordered by the Coast Guard will be delivered for training duties early next year, while the remainder undergo ‘Peculiars' modifications to receive their mission equipment.
Source: Flight Daily News
