Metalbasher Posted April 21, 2010 Share Posted April 21, 2010 Boeing: Boeing Team Delivers C-130H Aerial Refueling Tanker to Japan GIFU, Japan, April 20, 2010 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and partners Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) and Cobham Mission Systems today announced that they have delivered a C-130H aerial refueling tanker to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF). The JASDF took delivery in late February at KHI Gifu Works after the aircraft completed modification and acceptance for testing at the KHI facility in Gifu. KHI modified the C-130H, originally designed as a transport aircraft, to incorporate Cobham air-to-air refueling pods and Boeing design modifications affecting the structure, wiring and fuel system. The tanker currently provides aerial refueling for the UH-60J, a search and rescue helicopter. It now will move into operational testing with the JASDF. "The Boeing Company has more than 80 years of experience in aerial refueling, and each member of our team feels great pride carrying on that tradition for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force," said Ken Hill, Boeing director of Special Operations Programs. "To work with people who have such dedication and commitment is an honor." A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world’s largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Wilson Posted April 21, 2010 Share Posted April 21, 2010 Never heard of Cobham pods. Is that a different name for the FRL or the SF pods or a completely different critter? Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agarrett Posted April 21, 2010 Share Posted April 21, 2010 I wonder if this is it. Something about it looks hauntingly familiar http://www.cobham.com/media/65615/ADV10601.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 21, 2010 Share Posted April 21, 2010 I think the Cobham pods are the same as used on Talon 2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Wilson Posted April 22, 2010 Share Posted April 22, 2010 Al Yep,those are the old SF (Sergent Fletcher) pods, guess they decided to change the name. I think the Cobham pods are the same as used on Talon 2. The T2 was fitted with the FRL pods, not the SF pods, only to be promptly removed. Wonder why we spent millions of dollars and well over a decade getting those dodgy things to work right:confused: Well I guess the Wombat uses them so maybe its not a total waste, even though it was a solution looking for a problem. Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herkpilot Posted April 22, 2010 Share Posted April 22, 2010 Well I guess the Wombat uses them Dan Not any more... See Dragon Spear, and correct me if I'm wrong but the 15th still has their pods on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Wilson Posted April 22, 2010 Share Posted April 22, 2010 Well I will fess up that I am way out of date but before I retired in 04 the T2 fleet had a couple of qualified crews and they were going to pull and store the pods, yeah kinda goofy but what isn't these days. So I could be wrong and maybe they do have a couple T2's dragging around pods then. In some ways it really sucks retiring and being way out of touch with whats happening. Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimsmith130 Posted April 22, 2010 Share Posted April 22, 2010 Cobham bought both Sergeant Fletcher and FRL a couple of years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 22, 2010 Share Posted April 22, 2010 As I understand, the Talon 2s that operate CONUS have the pods on, but those that are deployed to foreign locations have the pods removed and stored..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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