Lockheed C-130 Hercules (RAF)

[RichardIC]

I still don't think we've had confirmed what the "new capabilities" are have we?

[shotleylad]

Perhaps because the operations of 47 Squadron are mostly secret.

[Jensy]

On the other side of the Atlantic, some rather unconventional trials for the the C-130 in the next 17 months:



https://www.janes.com/defence-news/air- ... -17-months

Although paywalled what caught my eye was the final 'freebie' line suggesting that the conversion could be made with only 'minor modifications'.

P.S: nearly cracked up seeing Richard's above post from only two years ago.

[Defiance]

The full article clarifies the demo should happen 'no later than February 2023' due to the initial publishing date, but it wasn't stated when the 17-month clock actually started so it could be a shade earlier.

MC-130J is the test bed, but they're looking at exploting it across the C-130 enterprise including options for exports.

[wargame_insomniac]

Not sure I'd believe anything out of the MoD in particular at present, but this could be good news.

[Lord Jim]

I assume he means what is left of it. We only had around eight to ten still in RAF colours.

[Tempest414]

I assume he means what is left of it. We only had around eight to ten still in RAF colours.

isn't 14 still in RAF service the ones sold off were the short bodied C-5's so of the 25 J's we had we still have 18 or so with the ones stored

[RichardIC]

Francois's a prat

https://qnadailyreport.blob.core.window ... -07-11.pdf

Hercules Aircraft
Mr Tobias Ellwood: [29942]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of
the potential merits of retaining the Hercules aircraft system.
Jeremy Quin:
The Integrated Review determined the future composition of the Air Mobility Force,
and as a result on current plans Hercules Out of Service Date is 2023. The RAF is
currently implementing that decision.