Jansen Posted September 22, 2010 Share Posted September 22, 2010 Noticed that there wasn't an Indian Air Force thread yet, so I thought I'd start one up! The IAF has ordered six herks to support missions for Special Operations Forces, which come with a probe for aerial refueling and a new variant code (50J). There are rumors of many more orders to come as well. I should point out that these are the first herks ever for India. I had received information that yesterday was to be the first flight test for #5638, but it turns out that it was only engine run-up tests and the real flight tests will start next month. A shame, as the first three (#5638-#5640) have been sitting on the tarmac since the beginning of August. The next three built after the IAF birds will be going to Dyess and have already started flight testing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agarrett Posted September 22, 2010 Share Posted September 22, 2010 Looks like they're bein exter careful using the ice chocks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P3_Super_Bee Posted September 23, 2010 Share Posted September 23, 2010 Think they got some additional mods tacked on to the package, being the delay. Last I seen All six should be delivered in 2011. The dirty rumor is, if they like these six, they will take their option for 6 more. These aircraft are basically a stretched HC/MC-130J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jansen Posted September 23, 2010 Author Share Posted September 23, 2010 Since India refuses to sign CISMOA (Communications and Information Security Memorandum of Agreement), they will have to use their own package of comms and GPS gear. I wonder if this is what is being installed... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jansen Posted October 5, 2010 Author Share Posted October 5, 2010 "The first of six C-130J Super Hercules for India was flown for the first time on 4 October 2010. A company flight crew made the four-hour flight from the Lockheed Martin facility adjacent to Dobbins ARB in Marietta, Georgia. After a series of company and customer flight tests, this aircraft is scheduled for delivery to AFS Hindon, near Delhi, in December. The second and third Indian J-models are expected to be flown by early November. The six air refuelable C-130Js, which feature Indian Air Force titles in English on the right side of the fuselage and Hindi on the left (as shown here), will give the Indian Army and Air Force new special operations capabilities". Picture is of KC-3801, by John Rossino Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P3_Super_Bee Posted October 6, 2010 Share Posted October 6, 2010 Pretty birds. 2 of the final 3(04, 05, 06) are in Final Assembly with the 3rd moving in next week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jansen Posted October 6, 2010 Author Share Posted October 6, 2010 Are these the first J-models with the refuelling boom? "The aircraft will feature equipment including an in-flight refuelling probe and a FLIR Systems AAQ-22 Star Safire III electro-optical/infrared sensor turret." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryanball Posted October 6, 2010 Share Posted October 6, 2010 England and Italy also use the probe system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jansen Posted December 9, 2010 Author Share Posted December 9, 2010 India’s next three C-130Js have now reached the final production positions at the Lockheed Martin Marietta facility. These aircraft will join the previous three, which are already in flight test prior to deliveries that will begin later this month. The first C-130J for India will be formally delivered on Dec. 16 at a ceremony in Marietta. Two will be flown to India in early 2011, while two more will arrive in early summer and the last two will be delivered in late summer of 2011 Final 3: 5653 KC-3804 5654 KC-3805 5655 KC-3806 Picture: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lockheedmartin/5247459098/sizes/o/in/photostream/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BTaff Posted December 11, 2010 Share Posted December 11, 2010 We are presently training the IAF crews here at Little Rock. They are great students. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yawdamper Posted December 11, 2010 Share Posted December 11, 2010 All J models are equipped to readily accept the ARPUS probe mod, except maybe HC-MC, as they are using UARRSI. Arpus is the refueling probe designed and owned by the British (Marshalls). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jansen Posted December 16, 2010 Author Share Posted December 16, 2010 4 just went to the paint barn a day or two ago. 5 & 6 are still in final assembly. Week or so before 5 hits the paint barn, then pretty much double that,(maybe triple with the holidays coming) for 6 to make it to the paint barn. Good update from another thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jansen Posted December 16, 2010 Author Share Posted December 16, 2010 LM has officially delivered the first C-130J to DMCA on behalf of India. KC-3802 (SN 5639) will be flown to India in February along with KC-3801 (SN 5638). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jansen Posted January 28, 2011 Author Share Posted January 28, 2011 KC-3802 (SN 5639) has left Marietta for Hindon AFB in India, and will be joined soon by KC-3801 (SN 5638). Mystery tail: The rightmost tail in the attached picture has 5623 on it, anybody have any details? I have no information on that tail number. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC10FE Posted January 29, 2011 Share Posted January 29, 2011 Mystery tail: The rightmost tail in the attached picture has 5623 on it, anybody have any details? I have no information on that tail number. I couldn't open the link but, according to Lars' book, msn 5623 is 07-8609 of the 37th TAS. Don R. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KoenL Posted January 29, 2011 Share Posted January 29, 2011 Think your '5623' is really Norwegian AF 5629. Koen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC10FE Posted January 29, 2011 Share Posted January 29, 2011 I agree with Koen -- RNoAF 5629. Since I didn't have a photo to go by earlier, but I do now (a friend sent me a copy this afternoon), the USAF wouldn't put the msn on the tail. RNoAF has 5629 and 5630. Don R. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jansen Posted January 29, 2011 Author Share Posted January 29, 2011 The font didn't look like the one used by the USAF, so I was curious as the aircraft was on the Dobbins ARB flightline. A comparison with the lettering matches that used by the RNoAF. Guess it was there for some maintenance or mods, but it seemed out of place. The number looked like 5623 to me, I guess that's why we have second opinions. Link to picture from Flickr: Norway also has 5601 and 5607. Their nicknames are Idunn, Frigg, Nanna, and Siw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jansen Posted February 13, 2011 Author Share Posted February 13, 2011 Interesting blog page of the Indian delivery ceremony in December and some photos of the production line. http://web.me.com/kedark/Kedar_Karmarkar_Aviation_Photography/Blog/Entries/2010/12/16_C-130J_Super_Hercules_dons_Indian_Air_Force_Colors.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jansen Posted February 21, 2011 Author Share Posted February 21, 2011 KC-3801 is supposed to be flown to India next week. KC-3803 is in flight test, and is supposed to be delivered at the end of April. Airliners link: http://www.airliners.net/photo/India---Air/Lockheed-Martin-C-130J-30/1868326/ KC-3804, KC-3805, and KC-3806 are out of paint. They will enter flight test after modifications are installed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Le Addeur noir Posted March 5, 2011 Share Posted March 5, 2011 Any news on whether KC3801 has left Little Rock AFB on delivery to Hindon AFS yet?. The first one to be delivered,KC3802 transitted Prestwick in Scotland,but there is no news from there on the arrival of KC3801. If not already reported,the Indian AF unit operating these Hercs is 77 Sqn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jansen Posted March 30, 2011 Author Share Posted March 30, 2011 (edited) KC-3804 is in flight test as of 23 March 2011. Picture: http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/photo/585054L.html Edited April 1, 2011 by Jansen Found pic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jansen Posted April 4, 2011 Author Share Posted April 4, 2011 Any news on whether KC3801 has left Little Rock AFB on delivery to Hindon AFS yet? Didn't know it was at LRF, but it was flying in the southern US on 31 March. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pilotman1260 Posted April 8, 2011 Share Posted April 8, 2011 Latest is KC-3805 C-130J was in the area today using the Lockheed testing callsign FIXER 55. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC10FE Posted April 8, 2011 Share Posted April 8, 2011 Latest is KC-3805 C-130J was in the area today using the Lockheed testing callsign FIXER 55. Where is "in the area?" Don R. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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