Lockheed Martin is pushing its airborne early-warning (AEW) derivative of its C-130J Hercules 2 to meet the needs of several European nations which need to supplement NATO's Boeing E-3A Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) squadron.
Greece, Italy, Spain and Turkey have been identified by Lockheed Martin as potential purchasers of its AEW Hercules derivative. The US company is hopeful, however, that the Royal Australian Air Force will be the launch customer.
Initial deliveries of the basic C-130J to the UK were delayed by unexpected stall characteristics, but the company believes that the addition of a rotodome will not create further problems. A similarly configured aircraft, the NC-130H, has already been flown and will be used for testing of the C-130J AEW configuration.
Source: Flight International
