2021
106 topics in this forum
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DARPA nabs Gremlin drone in midair for first time By Stephen Losey Friday, Nov 5 An X-61 Gremlin drone and a C-130 conduct a flight test by DARPA at Dugway Proving Ground in Utah on Oct. 29, 2021. During the flight test, DARPA said it successfully recovered a Gremlin in midair for the first time. (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) WASHINGTON — For the first time, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency recovered an unmanned X-61 Gremlin air vehicle to a C-130 in flight, marking a milestone in the U.S. military’s effort to deploy swarms of drones from a mothership. The first successful midair Gremlin recovery took place Oct. 29 at D…
Last reply by Big John, -
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Lt. Col. Jim Akin (ret), Four Horsemen demonstration team pilot, stands next to a 302nd AW C-130H #94-7318 at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado on July 30, 2024. Akin flew as part of the demonstration team from 1957 to 1960 showcasing the C-130 aircraft's maneuverability and capability to take off and land using short runways. [USAF photo by TSgt. Justin Norton] Ninety-nine-year-old retired Lt. Col. Jim Akin was one of four pilots who flew the C-130A Hercules from early 1957 to 1960 as part of the first Air Force C-130 demonstration team, known as the Four Horsemen. The team was named in honour of Coach Knute Rockne’s legendary backfield on Notre Dame’s 19…
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Airlift Wing, Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio, performs aerial spraying June 25, 2014, over Joint Base Charleston, S.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Dennis Sloan) Workhorse of the Air: C-130 Celebrates 70 Years Since First Flight Aug. 23, 2024 | By David Roza An era began 70 years ago on Aug. 23 when Lockheed test pilots Stan Beltz and Roy Wimmer, along with flight engineers Jack Real and Dick Stanton, took the new YC-130 prototype on its maiden voyage from Burbank, Calif., to Edwards Air Force Base about 50 miles east. They took off after just 855 feet of runway, “an astoundingly short distance considering most aircraft of that size require…
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Lockheed Martin delivers First C-130J-30 to Ohio Youngstown Air Reserve Station July 17, 2024 (by Stephanie Stinn) - Lockheed Martin delivered the first (#20-5982) of eight C-130J-30 Super Hercules tactical airlifters assigned to the Ohio Youngstown Air Reserve Station, marking the addition of a new mission capability for the Super Hercules ― the aerial spray mission. Lockheed Martin delivered the first C-130J-30 #20-5982 to the 757th AS assigned to the Ohio Youngstown ARS on July 16, 2024. [Photo by Thinh D. Nguyen] The 910th Airlift Wing has the distinction of maintaining the Department of Defense's only large area, fixed-wing aerial s…
Last reply by Metalbasher, -
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1957 LOCKHEED HERCULES C-130 Turboprop Aircraft Select Your Currency $6,150,000 Aircraft Location: Goodyear Seller Information View Seller Information Jet Fleet Aviation LLC Contact: Steve Gage Phoenix, Arizona General Year 1957 Manufacturer LOCKHEED Model HURCULES C-130 Serial Number 560511 Condition Used Description Currently flying, Seller buying larger aircraft, USA based & registered. STRICT Terms of sale: Buyer, End-user, and related parties must be in good standing with, and in compliance with, all U.S. laws and regulations, and Buye…
Last reply by Georgenit, -
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NAVAL AIR STATION JOINT RESERVE BASE FORT WORTH, Texas – The 136th Airlift Wing Texas Air National Guard, part of the Texas Military Department, received its first of eight C-130J Super Hercules aircraft on July 24, 2021, at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas. During a Welcoming Reception, the aircraft was dedicated to Congresswoman Kay Granger and officially named, “The Kay Granger.” In her January e-newsletter, Congresswoman Granger, also a former Mayor of Fort Worth, commented on how proud she was that the wing was chosen to the new upgrade. “The Air Force’s decision comes after years of competition and evaluation of dozens of military bases,” …
Last reply by JimLoups, -
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Our newest C-130J Super Hercules received its official Savannah Tail Flash! ⚡️ Our aircraft structural maintenance shop put in the grind to get all the finishing touches on our new C-130J-30 Super Hercules — including the official Savannah Tail Flash, Georgia Air Guard stenciling, and the legendary Air National Guard minute men patch.
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Youngstown Air Reserve Station saying 'farewell' to the C-130-H Hercules The base is preparing for the arrival of the "Super Hercules" Wednesday, February 7th 2024, 6:15 AM EST By Mike Gauntner Those magnificent, giant flying machines we’re used to seeing soar over the Valley, many times in pairs, are slowly being replaced by larger, faster aircraft. Late last month, members of the 910th Airlift Wing Maintenance Group readied one of the C-130-H Hercules just before it took off for its final flight from the Youngstown Air Reserve Station. The flight marked the 910th’s start of divesting its legacy C-130H Hercules aircraft in preparation …
Last reply by Mt.crewchief, -
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19 AW tests new C-130J communication capabilities February 7, 2024 (by 1st Lt. Cullen Drenkhahn) - The 19th Airlift Wing achieved a significant milestone in enhancing its aircraft's communication capabilities with the first successful testing of a cutting-edge satellite communication suite during a maximum endurance mission at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, Feb. 1, 2024. Airmen assigned to the 19th Maintenance Group hoisted a satellite communication suite onto a C-130J Super Hercules at Little Rock AFB on January 25, 2024. The new and innovative satellite communication suite included a hatch-mounted satellite ant…
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Combat King II upgrades propel C2 to new heights February 2, 2024 (by SrA Deanna Muir ) - Command and control are vital for efficient decision-making, coordination, and communication within organizations, enabling adaptability to changing situations. A new combat systems officer station shell sits on a table at Moody AFB on January 25, 2024. Combat systems officers are typically responsible for the operation and coordination of weapons and sensor systems on aircraft, navigation, target identification and overall mission planning. The station and software upgrades will support Link 16, a tactical data network system that can establish communication betwe…
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Brazilian Air Force launches paratroopers with its final C-130 Hercules Ricardo Meier January 31, 2024 FAB 2476 aircraft had not flown since December and was officially deactivated. Farewell to Lockheed turboprop could occur on February 18 After leaving it on the ground for 45 days, the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) returned to flying with its last C-130 Hercules on January 30th. The tactical transport aircraft took off from Galeão Air Base, where it is based, to Campo dos Afonsos, both in Rio de Janeiro, in order to launch paratroopers. The flight was recorded on video and shows the turboprop preparing to take off and dropping sold…
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2024 DoD spray course lands in Florida Published Jan. 18, 2024 By Capt. Donnie J. Hatheway 910th Airlift Wing Public Affairs TAMPA BAY, Florida -- Twenty-four Reserve Citizen Airmen from the 910th Airlift Wing helped facilitate the Department of Defense’s annual Aerial Spray Course in conjunction with the Florida Mosquito Control Association’s fly-in between Jan. 7-12, 2024. Participants of the course, both military and civilian, gathered from across the country to take on this four-day course that began with instruction by five highly trained and certified medical entomologists who walked through the entirety of aerial spray ap…
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130 AW Reaches IOC with C-130J The West Virginia National Guard is proud to announce that the 130th Airlift Wing has met the requirements to be declared a C-130J-30 unit with Initial Operational Capability as of January 1, 2024. The 130th has been in the process of transitioning airframes from the C-130 H3 Hercules model to the advanced C-130J-30 Super Hercules model since 2021. The unit currently operates eight C-130J-30 aircraft, each valued at approximately $90 million. “Attaining the IOC certification represents a significant milestone for the unit and is validation of the dedication and tremendous effort put forth by the aircrews, maintainers and supp…
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C-130 News: Air Force pilots test landing skills on Highway 287 during military exercise
by nascarpop- 2 replies
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The United States military made history yesterday when it landed a C-130 aircraft on Highway 287 north of Rawlins during a joint training exercise. Moments after sunrise, the cargo plane burst through storm clouds to the east of the roadway at about 240 miles per hour. 500 feet off each wingtip was an A10. Known also as “flying guns,” A10’s are the Air Force’s primary low-altitude close support aircraft. Until yesterday, the Air Force had never landed a C130 on an American highway, although two A10’s landed on a Michigan highway earlier this month. Prior to that, such a feat had only been done in Estonia during the Cold War. With a wingspan of more than 132 feet,…
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C-130 Pilots Test Out ‘Entirely New’ Cockpit For Aging ‘H’ Models Oct. 17, 2023 | By David Roza Pilots at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., are testing out a new cockpit layout for the C-130H transport plane that will replace its analog gauges with glass multifunction displays, digital engine instruments, a new flight management system, autopilot, terrain awareness and warning system and other digital upgrades that should make the aircraft safer and easier to fly. “This is much larger than just a software or hardware upgrade,” Maj. Jacob Duede, an experimental test pilot with the 417th Flight Test Squadron, said in an Oct. 17 press release. “It’s reconstru…
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Four More Guard Wings Tapped for Upgrade to C-130J Sept. 14, 2023 | By Greg Hadley The Air Force has selected four more Air National Guard wings to transition to the new C-130J Super Hercules, a key inflection point as the Guard modernizes. The C-130Js feature a roomier, “stretched” fuselage, more powerful engines with composite six-blade propellers, and digital avionics and mission computers. That means J’s can fly faster, higher, and farther than the C-130H. The four wings receiving new C-130Js in place of H-models: 103rd Airlift Wing, in Connecticut 120th Airlift Wing, in Montana 133rd Airlift Wing, in Minnesota …
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165th Airlift Wing bids farewell to last C-130H Hercules A C-130 Hercules aircraft formerly assigned to the 165th Airlift Wing (AW), Savannah Air National Base, Georgia, lifts off the runway at Savannah/Hilton-Head International Airport August 18, 2023. The C-130H Hercules aircraft, which has been flown by Savannah aircrews for 41 years, will continue being flown at the 166th Airlift Wing, Delaware Air National Guard as the 165 AW prepares to receive its first new C-130J Super Hercules aircraft by the end of December 2023.
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Last week, our Guard Airmen with the 193rd Special Operations Wing made history as they were the first, and only Air Guard unit to receive the MC-130J Commando II mission. It was a very humbling moment to be a part of this incredible aircraft's historic first flight with our Pennsylvania National Guard Airmen as we welcomed a new era of air power for our Air National Guard!
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Here’s What Units Will Move to Davis-Monthan to Join AFSOC’s New Power Projection Wing
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Here’s What Units Will Move to Davis-Monthan to Join AFSOC’s New Power Projection Wing Aug. 2, 2023 | By Greg Hadley The Air Force unveiled plans for the new 492nd Power Projection Wing that will replace the A-10 mission at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., on Aug. 2, describing for the first time which units will be included. The new wing will be part of Air Force Special Operations Command and draw units from around the country. The 492nd Special Operations Wing will be re-missioned and re-designated, providing the headquarters element; it will relocate to Arizona from Hurlburt Field, Fla., where it is has led AFSOC’s training and education effort…
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Multi billion dollar investment in new C-130J Hercules aircraft for the RAAF July 24, 2023 (by Asif Shamim) - The Albanese Government will purchase 20 new C-130J Hercules aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force for $9.8 billion. This will provide the Air Force with a state-of-the-art C-130 Hercules to meet the air transport needs of the future. RAAF C-130J-30 #A97-467 sits on the flight line at Mountain Home AFB on November 1, 2018. [USAF photo by SrA Alaysia Berry] The new acquisitions will replace and expand upon the 12 Hercules aircraft currently o…
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165th AW completes final overseas exercise flying the C-130H during Air Defender 2023 July 17, 2023 (by MSgt. Caila Arahood) - This summer, one Savannah C-130 Hercules aircraft along with nearly 60 Airmen from the 165th Airlift Wing, Georgia Air National Guard, traveled to Germany in support of Air Defender 2023, the largest collective defense air exercise since the inception of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in 1949. USAF C-130H #93-1562 from 158 AS, taxis on the runway at Wunstorf AB during exercise Air Defender 2023 (AD23) on June 20, 2023. [ANG photo by MSgt. Caila Arahood] This exercise marks a historic milestone for the 165th AW, as it…
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Air Force Special Ops Wants Runway Independence, More Speed 7/14/2023 By Stew Magnuson Air Force photo TAMPA, Florida — Air Force Special Operations Command has a long technology wish list. The command is tasked with transporting commandos covertly, quickly and across long distances and to penetrate where other aircraft can’t normally go. Naturally, it wants to improve its performance in all these categories, especially the latter, taking personnel to locations where there are no runways — a job best carried out by rotary-wing aircraft. But what if almost three-fourths of the planet could serve as a runway by allowing fixed-wing aircraft t…
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Final RAF C-130J mission set for 17 June as Hercules retirement nears By Dominic Perry17 April 2023 The UK’s long history as an operator of the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules will all but come to an end on 17 June when the Royal Air Force (RAF) performs its final mission with the type. Consisting of a three-ship fly-past as part of the King’s Birthday celebrations, the sortie will be a bittersweet moment ahead of the official retirement of the RAF’s remaining J-model aircraft on 30 June. Defence officials announced in 2021’s Integrated Review that the 15-strong C-130J fleet would be retired by 2023 due to cost savings, with operations transitioning…
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AC-130J Ghostrider Could Get Huge Upgrade From AESA Radar An active electronically scanned array radar would allow AC-130Js to independently engage targets in any weather and at greater distances. byJoseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway| UPDATED May 15, 2023 7:47 PM EDT The U.S. Air Force plans to test an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship equipped with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. Adding an AESA would give these aircraft a valuable tool for spotting, tracking, and engaging targets, especially in bad weather and at extended ranges. The radar could perform more general intelligence-gathering and provide improved situational awar…
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This unusual new Air Force tactic is likely raising alarms in China, expert says “The agility of the U.S. military’s distributed method for strike missions and the suddenness of those strikes will increase immensely.” By David Roza | Published Jan 4, 2023 8:54 AM EST A U.S. Air Force pilot assigned to the 352d Special Operations Wing conduct a rehearsal flight on an MC-130J Commando II in preparation for a live-fire demonstration of a palletized munitions system during ATREUS 22-4 at Andøya Space Defense Range, Norway, Nov. 8, 2022. (Tech. Sgt. Brigette Waltermire/U.S. Air National Guard). The U.S. Air Force is thinking outside the box, an…
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