Australia to buy 20 Hercules aircraft....

Australia said on Monday it would spend A$9.8 billion ($6.60 billion) to buy 20 new Super Hercules military transport aircraft, ahead of a visit later this week by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, reports Reuters. 

The U.S. State Department in November approved the potential sale of the aircraft, manufactured by Lockheed Martin (LMT.N), and related equipment to Australia.

The deal comes amid the largest ever Australia-U.S. joint military exercise, involving more than 30,000 troops and participants from 11 other countries, in a show of force and unity at a time when China has emerged as an increasingly assertive power in the Indo-Pacific.

Route of flypast to mark the forthcoming retirement of the Hercules from RAF service ......

 A flypast to mark the forthcoming retirement of the Hercules from RAF service will take place across all four nations of the United Kingdom on Wednesday 14 June.

The first Hercules arrived at Marshall’s of Cambridge in December 1966 Hercules. Since entering RAF service, originally with 242 Operational Conversion Unit at RAF Thorney Island, it has operated across the globe in support of UK military and humanitarian relief operations.

Route plan

New Zealand Prime Minister rescued from Antarctica by Italian Air Force

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in Ernest Shackleton's hut. Photo Video / Mike Scott  

An ageing New Zealand Air Force plane scheduled to transport Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her entourage back from an official visit to Antarctica broke down leaving the premier to be rescued by the  Italian Air Force. 

The New Zealand PM had been visiting The Scott Base in Antarctica to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the site.  Ardern was meant to have arrived back in Christchurch at around 1800 today, but the old Airforce Hercules broke down and was unable to make the return flight.  

“It’s one thing to read on paper and many of us will have heard about the research that’s been that’s been conducted here - but to be able to come and see it in person and talk to those who are part of it was something else,” Jacinda Ardern told the NZ Herald, continuing:  “The enthusiasm for the work, how committed and dedicated our researchers and scientists are is incredible. You can see why what they’re researching is so critical, not just to New Zealand, but to the world and it brings them back year after year.

Because all of this work is in vain if we don’t listen to what the science is telling us, and it’s telling us that this place is changing and that we have a hand in that.  So our job is to support them to keep building the information we need - but our job is also to make decisions that factor in what they’re learning.”

RAF Voyager demonstrates large aircraft refuelling capability.....

Photo RAF / Crown copyright

A Royal Air Force Voyager has demonstrated an often forgotten capability, by carrying out an air-to-air refuelling training sortie with a C-130J Hercules.

The objective of the sortie was to provide training in the complex operational processes needed to refuel an aircraft in the air. The ability to do that is a key component of Royal Air Force flying operations. The Voyager is along with being a key element of strategic air transport for the RAF, it is also a duel role as the sole aerial refuelling aircraft meaning it is a true force-multiplier.

"Voyager is usually known for refuelling fast jet aircraft, acting as a force multiplier through extending their endurance on task three-fold.  However, in the context of C-130J operations, Voyager is more likely to be used to extend range, allowing the C-130J even greater reach without the need to land and refuel.  Training C-130J crews to safely receive fuel from Voyager remains as important now as ever."

Wing Commander Udall

Officer Commanding 101 Squadron

Photo RAF / Crown copyright

The concept of a force-multiplier means that as an aircraft the Voyager has the capability to increase the combat potential of other aircraft by being able to refuel them when required.  This in turn allows RAF combat jets, such as the Typhoon and F-35B, the ability to increase their time-on-task or range to conduct operations.

Air to Air Refuelling, also however allows larger RAF aircraft, such as the Atlas A400M and Hercules C130J, the ability to support humanitarian missions and airdrops in austere or difficult locations.  A recent example being when an RAF Hercules deployed to the Falkland Islands to conduct Exercise Austral Endurance.  This exercise saw the Hercules conduct a number of sorties dropping supplies onto the Sky-Blu Field Station in the Antarctic.

Without the Voyager, the Hercules would not have been able to reach Palmer Land, home of Sky-Blu and drop these vital supplies. Other examples were the enabling of C-130J humanitarian airdrops onto Mount Sinjar in 2014, and long-range parachute insertions into Eastern Europe that have been carried out over the last few years.

Photo RAF / Crown copyright

RAF Voyagers also train to conduct Air to Air Refuelling with other partner nation’s fast jets, USN EA-18 Growler, French and Qatari Rafales together with Canadian CF-18’s, being examples of refuelling sorties carried out this year.  Most recently RAF Voyagers have been conducting AAR sorties with USMC F/A-18 Hornets as part of the NATO Air response in Eastern Europe to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Voyager, therefore, remains a vital component of the air-mobility fleet which gives the RAF the ability to enhance the delivery of air power worldwide.

Marshall Aerospace wins deal for C-130 Hercules maintenance with Indian Air Force.

 Marshall Aerospace wins deal for C-130 Hercules maintenance with Indian Air Force.

                   Marshall Aerospace confirmed this week that it had won a new contract with Lockheed Martin to carry out the 12-year maintenance inspections on the Indian Air Force’s fleet of C-130J Super Hercules aircraft.

The deal will see Marshall perform in-depth maintenance inspections on the Indian fleet of C-130J while further strengthening their long-term relationship with Lockheed Martin. The aircraft were delivered to the Indian Air Force under the US Government Foreign Military Sales programme of military cooperation.

Curtis Jones, C-130 India Programme Manager, Lockheed Martin, said:  “It’s important that we can count on our longstanding service centre, Marshall Aerospace, to support one of the most active C-130J fleets in the world. Through an integrated team and dedicated support, together we can ensure the Indian Air Force’s C-130J fleet is available and ready for every mission.”

Neil McManus, Marshall Aerospace Managing Director said: “We are delighted to have been selected through competition to provide dedicated and comprehensive maintenance services to the Indian Air Force, whilst delivering committed support to Lockheed Martin in their broader Foreign Military Sales contract.

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RAF C-130J Hercules demonstrate UK Air Power during Exercise over Jordan

Three RAF Hercules C-130J airdropped troops and supplies into a simulated war-zone, during a joint exercise with Jordanian Forces.

The Middle East RAF Hercules C-130J detachment from RAF Brize Norton has taken part in a demonstration of UK Air Power during an exercise over Jordan that has just finished.

The use of Air Power was the means to demonstrate ‘Force Projection’ during an exercise in the Middle East by conducting a low altitude insertion of more than 150 personnel from 16 Air Assault Brigade into the Jordanian Desert, who then linked up with Jordanian Forces on the ground from the Jordanian Special Forces Group.

To carry out the exercise three C-130J Hercules aircraft were escorted by two Typhoons to Jordan.  The Typhoons were then joined by Jordanian F16s to provide Close Air Support for the troops once on the ground.  The air mission was controlled from an RAF E-3D Sentry Airborne Warning And Control System aircraft.  All RAF aircraft operated from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus to conduct the exercise.

“The UK Armed Forces stand with Jordan against shared threats in the region.  This joint exercise is a showcase of the Global Response Force’s impressive ability to operate across multiple domains and in harsh environments.  They are the soldiers of the future, ready to tackle changing threats around the world."

James Heappey

Minister for the Armed Forces

Royal Air Force plans more F35 aircraft as part of Integrated Review

The UK's Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has described the plans for the UK's Royal Air Force during his announcement of the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy. The review sees an increase in the F35 fleet size as well as retiring older types of aircraft such as the old, yet reliable C130 Hercules and E3D Sentry early warning plane. 

Wallace said of the Royal Air Force:

    "Royal Air Force is now deploying world-leading capabilities, P8, Rivet Joint, A400M and the latest Typhoons. The F35 – the world’s most capable combat aircraft – is now being deployed to frontline squadrons. In recognition of its battle-winning capabilities, we will commit to growing the fleet beyond 48 aircraft.

    the E3D Sentry, two generations behind its contemporaries, will be replaced by a more capable fleet of three E7 Wedgetail in 2023. These will be based at RAF Lossiemouth, transforming the UK Airborne Early Warning and Control capabilities, as well as contributing to NATO.

    as the transport fleet improves availability we will retire the C130-J Hercules in 2023, after 24 years of service. Twenty-two A400Ms, alongside the C17s, will provide a more capable and flexible transport fleet.

Former RAF C-130J Hercules aircraft has departed for the United States

A former RAF C-130J Hercules transport aircraft has departed for the United States for the start of its new career with the US Navy Aerobatic Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels.  The C-130J was purchased by the US Navy from the UK MoD following the reduction in the size of the RAF Hercules fleet. Prior to delivery Marshall Aerospace and Defence group at Cambridge have undertaken depth maintenance and painted the aircraft in the iconic Blue Angel’s livery.

"                The UK MOD was proud to work alongside multiple stakeholders to help deliver this great aircraft to the United States Navy Blue Angels. It really was a team effort from both sides of the Atlantic.

“This C-130J aircraft served the Royal Air Force well over the years, and I am delighted that following a refurb it will now go on to serve another military force. With its bright, new livery I'm sure the new Blue Angels C-130J will turn heads wherever it goes."

Air Marshal Sir Julian Young

Second KC-130J aerial refueler delivered to France’s Armée De L’Air

                        Lockheed Martin delivered the second of two KC-130J Super Hercules aerial refuelers to France’s Armée de l’Air on February 4th at the company’s Aeronautics facility in Marietta, Georgia.

France has received a total of four Super Hercules aircraft — two C-130J-30 combat delivery airlifters and two KC-130J aerial refuelers — through a Foreign Military Sale with the U.S. government. The two C-130J-30 airlifters were delivered in 2017 and 2018, and first KC-130J delivered in September 2019. All of these Super Hercules are operated in conjunction with France’s existing C-130H fleet.

“France’s C-130 crews have long demonstrated the unmatched and proven performance of the Hercules aircraft in support of critical missions,” said Rod McLean, vice president and general manager, Air Mobility & Maritime Missions at Lockheed Martin. “This additional KC-130J expands the Armée de l‘Air’s already robust airlift and refuelling resources to not only serve as a national asset, but a global resource as well.”

Search teams face bad weather in hunt for Chilean Air Force C-130

The search for a Chilean Air Force C-130 that went missing on Monday carrying 38 people is being hampered by bad weather. 

The aircraft was flying to the Antarctic when contact was lost around 1813 local time on Monday evening, somewhere within Drakes Passage.  The Chilean President has requested the air force to "do everything we can " to find the missing aircraft and the 38 passengers and crew. 

The Chilean air force has released a map of the path along with a timeline as the search goes on.  "It's very important to know what happened. - There will be no limits to what we'll do to find out and to locate the plane." Defence Minister Alberto Espina said. 

According to local officials, 15 of the passengers were from the air force, 3 were soldiers, 2 were civilians from a construction firm and 1 was a student. 

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France’s Armée De L’Air receives its first KC-130J super Hercules aerial refuelling aircraft

France’s Armée De L’Air receives its first KC-130J super Hercules aerial refuelling aircraft

 

      Lockheed Martin has delivered the first of two KC-130J Super Hercules aerial refuelers to representatives from France’s Armée de l’Air’s 62st Transport Wing at Orléans-Bricy Air Base today.

France will receive a total of four Super Hercules aircraft — two C-130J-30 combat delivery airlifters and two KC-130J aerial refuelers — through a Foreign Military Sale with the U.S. government. The two C-130J-30 airlifters were delivered in 2017 and 2018, and a second KC-130J will deliver in 2020. All of these Super Hercules are operated in conjunction with France’s existing C-130H fleet.

“The KC-130J provides Armée de l’Air crews with a proven solution that delivers much-needed fuel in any environment, at any time,” said Rod McLean, vice president and general manager, Air Mobility & Maritime Missions at Lockheed Martin. “In choosing to operate both the C-130J-30 and the KC-130J, France has built a diverse airlift fleet that expands both the capabilities and global reach of the French Armed Forces.”

Collins Aerospace receives additional C-130 NP2000 propeller upgrade and support awards from US Air National Guard, US Navy

Collins Aerospace Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corp. has been awarded a contract by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) to support NP2000 propeller upgrades for 24 Lockheed Martin C-130H aircraft for the U.S. Air National Guard (ANG). This is in addition to the 12 NP2000 propeller upgrades Collins Aerospace has already completed, bringing the total number of C-130H ANG upgrades the company has been awarded to 36. 

New avionics solution for international C-130 introduced

L3 Technologies’ Integrated Aerospace Systems (IAS) business announced today that it is offering a global C-130 Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) solution based on a certified and fielded U.S. Air Force C-130 avionics solution. The offered AMP avionics suite and installation will leverage L3’s existing deliveries to satisfy the avionics upgrade requirements of any C-130H users.

L3's C-130 avionics modernization solutions offer customers proven and affordable upgrades to meet international Communications, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management standards.

“Having the only U.S. Air Force-certified solution that is flying in both U.S. and international fleets today reduces risk, cost and time-to-field for customers with mission-critical requirements,” said Jon Piatt, Vice President and General Manager of L3’s Integrated Aerospace Systems business area. “We work closely with the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex C-130 Foreign Military Sales program office and look forward to offering this qualified and affordable upgrade solution.”

the UK's RAF's Hercules fleet given new lease of life

Images: Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group

The UK's Hercules C-130J fleet based at RAF Brize Norton is having a major upgrade to extend its service life into 2030.

The first of the C-130J Hercules aircraft to undergo the major upgrade to extend its in-service life has been delivered to Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group in Cambridge.   Aircraft ZH867 was flown from its home base of RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire by Officer Commanding No. 47 Squadron Wing Commander Andy Johnson on 1st March. All 14 aircraft in the fleet with undergo a 'centerwing' upgrade over the next few years, to ensure the versatile aircraft can continue in service until 2030.