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Jansen

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    MC-130J in production

    in C-130 General

    Posted

    MARIETTA, Ga., March 29th, 2011 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] rolled out the first aircraft in a new fleet of MC-130J Combat Shadow IIs for the U.S. Air Force’s Special Operations Command (AFSOC) during a ceremony here today.

    Lt. Gen. Donald C. Wurster, commander, Air Force Special Operations Command, was the keynote speaker at the event.

    “The MC-130J is one of the most versatile tactical airlifters in the world. Its multi-mission capabilities will increase the combat performance of special operations forces worldwide,†Wurster said. “The MC-130J’s advanced sensors, expanded avionics and universal aerial refueling capability will enable the highly skilled Airmen of AFSOC to operate under difficult conditions with unmatched speed and capability."

    Lockheed Martin is contracted to build 15 MC 130Js to begin replacing the current aging fleet. The U.S. Air Force is authorized to acquire up to 20 MC-130Js against an approved requirement for 37.

    “As the most flexible airlifter in the world, this new Combat Shadow configuration demonstrates the unmatched platform capability of the Super Hercules,†said Lorraine Martin, Lockheed Martin vice president for C-130 programs. “As recent events around the world have yet again shown us, the C-130 is the world’s first responder. The C-130J is performing today and will be ready for whatever the future holds.â€

    The new aircraft is based on a KC-130J tanker baseline and will have the Enhanced Service Life Wing, Enhanced Cargo Handling System, a Universal Aerial Refueling Receptacle Slipway Installation (boom refueling receptacle), more powerful electrical generators, 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.

    Origin of the word Aviator

    in Sonny's Funnies

    Posted

    While you may disagree with the content, I find it improper for anyone to call Mr. Millen's post stupid. I for one thought it was interesting and slightly funny. If you didn't like the post you could have simply not responded or responded by saying it could have been posted elsewhere in this site. (i.e. Humor Forum):-((

    Hey, I didn't call Muff stupid, I said it was a stupid joke. I have no problems with Muff at all.

    You can't be military and not have a thick skin. If you post something publicly in a forum you have to expect comments, whether positive or negative. Everybody is entitled to their opinion, and to express it freely (unless it is racist or something).

    Now yes, I am Asian, and it might be interpreted as a racist joke, but I'm not saying anything about that. If I heard this joke in the mess or a locker room I would still say it was a stupid joke and move on.

    On the one hand, I am glad to see everyone jump to Muff's defense, but in this case it is unnecessary. There was no personal attack.

    Hercules Hex Codes

    in C-130 General

    Posted

    All modern aircraft are assigned a unique ICAO 24-bit address which becomes a part of the aircraft's Certificate of Registration.

    This "Hex Code" is broadcast by the onboard Mode-S transponder and is publicly viewable using a RadarBox, SBS-1, or similar devices.

    Most of this information is posted on sites like rzjets.net, libhomeradar.org, and airframes.org, but I haven't seen a complete list put together. This list is possible thanks to Bob Daley and information from his Hercules Production List AllHerks20.xls

    It is my hope that this list will be a good resource for aviation spotters and help provide more information for Herk fans everywhere.

    Flash player problem

    in General

    Posted

    No problem. Glad it worked out.

    The key with all new things is to face it head on like a man, rather than fear it and run away like a coward. I love seeing old people who try new things; I once read about how the 85 year old Queen of England uses her Blackberry to keep in touch with her grandkids. That's just inspiring...

    I use Firefox and Opera pretty regularly, as I have a 5 monitor setup for work and I use multiple browser instances for each monitor. IE is a memory hog, and always causes crashes, even though I have 16GB of RAM.

    For the rest of you guys who are thinking about switching, the process is VERY easy and automated. You just go to the website, download the program, run it, and follow the instructions. Most of the buttons are similar, and there are help files to guide you through more advanced features like tabbed browsing (very useful), cookie management, and automated password entry. Remember, the older your browser, the more security holes there are. If you are using IE 6 or older, it is possible to hack into your system and access your confidential information.

    Firefox 4 was just released, although my favourite is still Opera because you can save sessions and it recovers your tabs and windows very well in case of a crash.

    The Road to the New Rescue Tanker...HC-130J

    in C-130 General

    Posted

    The new HC-130J personnel recovery aircraft, developed for the United States Air Force Air Combat Command, has completed developmental testing. The final test point was air-to-air refueling and was achieved on March 14. This was the first refueling of an HC-130J, and the first ever boom refueling of a C-130 where the aircraft’s refueling receiver was installed during aircraft production. This test point also applies to the MC-130J Combat Shadow II aircraft in production for Air Force Special Operations Command. Rollout of the first MC-130J will be celebrated at the Lockheed Martin facility in Marietta, Ga. on March 29. The first HC-130Js and MC-130Js will start deliveries in August with Initial Operational Capability for both scheduled for 2012.

    Pictures:

    http://www.lockheedmartin.com/data/assets/aeronautics/press_photos/2011/HC-130J_refuel01.jpg

    http://www.lockheedmartin.com/data/assets/aeronautics/press_photos/2011/HC-130J_refuel02.jpg

    Flash player problem

    in General

    Posted

    The uninstaller didn't work? It is probably a file registry issue. I could help you fix it but it gets complicated and a little dangerous if not done properly.

    The only thing in Firefox that you would have to update would be Flash; everything else like Java you update normally. Be sure to run Windows Update and download the optional security updates.

    Don't post your email in a forum, that's just easy spam bait, although I see you misspelled it (on purpose?) so spambots will probably not pick up the right address.

    Flash player problem

    in General

    Posted

    What browser are you using? Try Opera or Firefox, they are much better than IE. Not only are they faster, but they have more security features.

    Avira is a pretty good antivirus program, and it is free to download and use.

    Once you reply with your browser type I can help you further.

    MC-130J in production

    in C-130 General

    Posted

    First MC-130J training program takes flight

    by Rachel Arroyo

    Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs

    3/1/2011 - HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- As the first MC-130J Combat Shadow II rolled off the Lockheed Martin factory line, a training flight class conducted sorties in preparation for transition to the new airframe.

    The Air Force Special Operations Training Center's first MC-130J training program flight class practiced air drops, aerial refueling and formation on an EC-130J Commando Solo at Harrisburg International Airport, PA recently.

    AFSOTC worked in conjunction with the 193rd Special Operations Wing, the United States Marine Corps and the National Guard Bureau to kick-start a training program two years in the making.

    "This first class is a small group try-out designed to validate our syllabus of instruction for the remaining classes," said Maj. Robert Deka, AFSOTC MC-130J training program manager.

    In a phase AFSOTC commander Col. Mark Alsid referred to as "train the trainer," the program has pooled the best instructors to provide academic instruction to Air Commandos who will take that knowledge and bring it back to their home bases.

    "AFSOTC is setting the stage for the future of this platform, and the MC-130J is a huge addition to the AFSOC fleet, so we have to get it right," Colonel Alsid said.

    The program features tailored pilot, combat systems officer and loadmaster training with different facets held in California, New Mexico, Mississippi, Pennsylvania and Florida.

    After completing training in their respective areas, the flight class members met in Harrisburg for the first time to practice piloting the J-model with a reduced number of crew, which required enhanced coordination among members.

    The MC-130J is manned by a 5-member crew. This is a reduction in size from the standard 8-member MC-130P Combat Shadow crew, Major Deka said.

    With no flight engineer or radio systems operator, the loadmaster will assume many of the duties previously designated to those positions, including the complete preflight and loading of cryptic codes, said Master Sgt. Scott Reed, AFSOTC lead J-model loadmaster.

    The loadmaster will also be a systems expert.

    The combat systems operator will also engage in less traditional navigation duties as he handles in-flight helicopter refueling procedures normally conducted by the flight engineer.

    No glitches occurred while coordinating these functions. Though this was the first class training flight on the Commando Solo, program instructors have been using MC-130J procedures for a few years, he said.

    Sergeant Reed has been involved with the training program since its inception two years ago. He said he was honored to jump in headfirst and apply his knowledge of the MC-130P Combat Shadow to developing a training plan for the J-model alongside a select group of talented aviators which includes some from the Combat Talon community.

    "It's rewarding," he said. "We literally started with nothing."

    Lt. Col. Tobin Wong, AFSOTC evaluator pilot and MC-130J subject matter expert, echoed the sentiments of Sergeant Reed.

    "It's exciting. A lot of hard work has gone into the training," Colonel Wong said. "But we could not have gotten to this point without the support of the 193 SOW."

    In addition to qualifying crew members in MC-130J procedures, the program is designed to keep those qualified current until the Combat Shadow II is delivered later this year, said Major Deka.

    The goal of the plan is to have at least five crews, or 25 members, trained by September, he said.

    The EC-130J sorties will continue to take place in Harrisburg through the spring. The program instructors, many of whom are among the few MC-130J subject matter experts in the Air Force, will continue to develop the training in anticipation of the arrival of the streamlined airframe.

    "The ability to get things right and set standards now is great," Sergeant Reed said. "It's certainly an outstanding time to be an aviator at AFSOC."

    These sorties approach the culmination of AFSOC commander Lt. Gen. Donald Wurster's priority to recapitalize the fleet by acquiring up to 37 MC-130Js to replace aircraft that have been flying combat missions for up to 40 years.

    The MC-130J will replace aging MC-130E Combat Talon I and MC-130P Combat Shadow aircraft.

    The Combat Shadow II will fly clandestine, low-level aerial refueling missions as well as infiltration, exfiltration and resupply missions.

    http://www2.afsoc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123244674

    USMC KC-130J Thread

    in C-130 General

    Posted

    VMGR-152 KC-130J 168065 QD-065 is today visiting U-Tapao RTNS,Thailand,so confirming this airplane is with VMGR-152.The 3 other new VMGR-152 new airplanes,168066,168074 and 168075 have also been seen at U-Tapao this month.

    I confirmed it in early January, but always good for a second source. Here is the post: http://herkybirds.com/showthread.php?2395-USMC-KC-130J-Thread&p=19974#post19974

    Confirmed: 168065 5644 is with VMGR-152. Spotted 10 Jan 11 ROTM-PWAK squawking SUMO28.

    Selcal is BSDR. 168066 (5645) is BSEQ, and was delivered on 18 Dec 10. The other two you mentioned were delivered in September.

    168068 (5647) for VMGR-352 was delivered 04 Jan 11.

    Contract/Batch Numbers?

    in C-130 General

    Posted

    Apparently some of the information I received was incorrect. I have a new document from LM I received a couple of days ago that corrects it all. It seems to be definitive, as it contains all of the LM model version numbers for all C-130s delivered.

    This is the link to the earlier post which I have now updated: http://herkybirds.com/showthread.php?1865-Contract-Batch-Numbers&p=17694#post17694

    There are a total of 42 version numbers for the C-130J.

    MC-130J in production

    in C-130 General

    Posted

    These are the registrations of MC-130Js that have been assigned as of 22 Feb 11:

    5656 09-6207

    5657 09-6208

    5658 09-6209

    5659 09-6210

    5680 08-6201

    5681 08-6202

    5682 08-6203

    5694 08-6204

    5695 08-6205

    5696 08-6206

    5697 Numbering conflict to be resolved

    As always, this is subject to change. The current plan is for 20 MC-130Js, but above 5697 there is no guidance on which are MC-130Js and which are HC-130Js.

    Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) thread

    in C-130 General

    Posted

    Qatar is unlikely to use 211-214 as tail numbers. As suggested I suspect these look be the last three of the FMS FY serial and the full ones might be:

    5662 09-6211

    5663 09-6212

    5668 09-6213

    5669 09-6214

    All military aircraft in Qatar use QAxx as tail numbers, the xx two digits in fixed sequential batches for each type. The C-17A Globemaster is the exception, they do have the FMS FY number small on the nose but are commonly noted as MAA and MAB, an abbreviation of civil registrations A7-MAA and A7-MAB. There is an off change the same will occur on the Qatar Super Hercules. Any more info much appreciated.

    The information I have comes from LM, and we have heard from a guy on the line that confirms it. We all know that registrations change; KC-3801 was originally K3801 on paper. The numbers you have suggested have already been assigned to MC-130J frames.

    211 will come out of paint in about a month and I am sure we will have pictures to confirm.

    USMC KC-130J Thread

    in C-130 General

    Posted

    Turns out my theory was correct. The preproduction KC-130s have different version numbers, and the regular production KC-130Js use 72J.

    5488 382U-11J 165735

    5489 382U-11J 165736

    5499 382U-11J 165737

    5506 382U-11J 165738

    5507 382U-11J 165739

    5508 382U-11J 165809

    5509 382U-11J 165810

    5515 382U-33J 165957

    5516 382U-33J 166380

    5527 382U-38J 166381

    5528 382U-38J 166382

    5543 382U-38J 166472

    5544 382U-38J 166473

    5553 382U-38J 166511

    5554 382U-38J 166512

    5555 382U-72J 166513..and the rest are 72J.

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