FIRST LOCKHEED MARTIN/USAF HC-130J COMBAT RESCUE TANKER ROLLS OUT

MARIETTA, Ga., April 19, 2010 –– Lockheed Martin rolled out the first of a
new fleet of HC-130J combat rescue tankers for the U.S. Air Force's Air
Combat Command (ACC) during a ceremony here today. Maj. Gen. Thomas K.
Andersen, director of requirements, Headquarters ACC, spoke at the ceremony.



"Personnel recovery is one of the Air Force's core missions and vital to
what we do in defense of America. The mission is demanding and we are
grateful to those [employees] of Lockheed Martin assembled here that have
given us a world-class aircraft ready for the demands of the mission,"
Andersen said. "The HC-130J will enable us to meet the expanding operational
tasks that we face today –– wartime operations in Operation Enduring Freedom
and the Horn of Africa, and relief operations in the continental United
States as well as in areas like Haiti and Chile. For that, ACC, the Air
Force and the nation thank you."

Lockheed Martin is contracted with the U.S. Air Force to build 21 C-130J
Super Hercules to replace aging fleets of combat search and rescue HC-130s
and special operations MC-130s. The U.S. Air Force is authorized to acquire
up to 31 HC/MC-130Js (11 HCs and 20 MCs).

"Yet again, we see the C-130 setting new standards for mission flexibility,"
said Ross Reynolds, Lockheed Martin vice president for C-130 programs. "This
new configuration of the proven C-130J will give ACC unparalleled capability
for combat search and rescue. As demand for the C-130J continues to grow
around the world, we will see more ways this aircraft can meet the demands
of any operator and mission."

The new aircraft, which is based on a KC-130J tanker baseline, will have the
Enhanced Service Life Wing, Enhanced Cargo Handling System, a Universal
Aerial Refueling Receptacle Slipway Installation (boom refueling
receptacle), an electro-optical/infrared sensor, a combat systems operator
station on the flight deck, and provisions for the large aircraft infrared
countermeasures system. In-line production of this configuration reduces
cost and risk and meets the required 2012 initial operational capability.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company
that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in
the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment
of advanced technology systems, products, and services. The Corporation
reported 2009 sales of $45.2 billion.

Press release, photo and caption are available at the following URL:
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2010/100419ae_hc130-rollout.html

Missing the chin turret with the twin 20mm's, the side mounted 105 Howitzer and the pylons for the Hellfire / AMRAAM missiles.  

Sweet Bird!!!!!

What a great plane with a great history and apparently a great future.

I hope they replaced the Sgt Fletcher refueling pods with something newer.

So.....what does it "DO", exactly?  What is "Combat search and rescue," and how would a plane suitable for that be good for relief missions?

If it's a "combat rescue", shouldn't it have one of those claws on the front to snag the balloon/harness doodad that yoinks people up from the ground without landing?

Spiffy props, though....looks kinda like that A400 or whatever it is that europe just rolled out.

Command and control of the SAR effort and support of the involved helicopters. They can also drop rafts, food, PJs, etc to assist the survivor before rotary wing assets can arrive.

Kharn

About frigging time!  I was involved with the Analysis of Alternatives with this and helped with the maintenance data collection to justify buying new aircraft.  We started this process in 2005.

FO

You should try Google sometime in your life.
USAF Combat Search and Rescue
USAF Combat Search and Rescue MC-130J
C-130J propellers
Fulton Recovery system

Not saying the air force revolves around fighter pilots, but, the air force revolves around fighter pilots.
Personnel recovery=pilot recovery and not much else.