Lockheed Martin has performed the first flight with a new version of its C-130J tactical transport in development for the US Air Force.
Flown from the company’s Marietta site in Georgia on 29 July, the HC-130J is configured as a combat tanker for use in support of personnel recovery missions.
The first example is on track to be delivered to the USAF’s Air Combat Command organisation next month, says Lockheed.
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Both images © Lockheed Martin |
The new J-model variant should achieve initial operational capability during 2012. It will replace some of the air force’s legacy HC-130s, 34 of which are now flown in the N and P production standards, as listed in Flightglobal’s MiliCAS database.
Two HC-130Js are currently on order from a stated requirement for 18 aircraft.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
