C-130J Super Hercules (IAF)

New Delhi. The first Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules with the IAF insignia in Indian hues will be delivered early 2011.

Lockheed Martin’s India CEO Roger Rose told India Strategic in an interview that the infrastructure to operate the six aircraft that the Indian Air Force is buying is nearly complete at the Hindon air force station near the Indian capital and that all the aircraft will be “delivered on time, on schedule and within the budget.”
The first aircraft has already been painted in IAF colours, and examined by IAF representatives and pilots in the US at the company’s Marietta aircraft production facility. Appropriate training arrangements for Indian pilots, both in the US and India, were also being implemented in accordance with the nearly USD one billion deal that included the six aircraft, spare engines and other parts, training and maintenance facilities in India.
“We are in fact ahead of schedule in every respect,” Mr Rose, a former US Navy submariner, said.
Lockheed Martin was now in discussions with IAF on the potential sale of six more C 130Js, as per the options in the agreement, and a couple of more aircraft, albeit with lower configuration, for the Border Security force (BSF) and Indian Coast Guard.
The C 130J is a special operations aircraft to land and takeoff from a battle zone. It is capable of operating from rough dirt strips to drop or pick up men and material from hostile areas. It is equipped with missile defence systems.
“The flexible design of the Super Hercules enables it to be configured for many different missions, allowing for one aircraft to perform the role of many, including mid-air refueling. Much of the special mission equipment added to the Super Hercules is removable, allowing it to quickly switch roles. Equipped with an infrared detection set (IDS), the aircraft for the first time will provide the IAF an ability to conduct precision low-level flying operations, airdrops and landings in blackout conditions,” Mr Rose said.
The aircraft is also good for civilian use in India’s mountainous north-eastern regions.
As for the first aircraft for the IAF, it is now entering pre-delivery test flights to check the aircraft and systems. All the six aircraft are due to be delivered by 2012.

And from October, the US Air Force (USAF) will start providing formal conversion training on its own aircraft to an initial batch of IAF’s transport pilots. Notably, the deal to buy the aircraft is the with the US Government under its Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme and involves USAF’s participation right from the demonstration to training and delivery.
Mr Rose said that Lockheed Martin was ready to ensure a high 80 per cent availability of the C 130Js to the IAF at any given time, and extend maintenance support for 30 to 40 years. There are long-term agreements already with the air forces of Australia, Britain and Canada.
Although the C 130 aircraft first flew in the 1950s, it has been constantly upgraded with newer designs and there is nothing common between the current generation and the older aircraft except perhaps looks to an extent. The C130J model is also a little bigger and has powerful engines to suit special operations requirements.
The four-engine turboprop aircraft was initially designed as a tactical airlifter for short takeoff and landings from unprepared strips, a role that it still performs. It can be used to ferry troops and cargo for airborne assault or to evacuate the injured from a battle zone. The C 130 is the only military aircraft to remain in continuous production, although in some 40 versions, and in service with about 60 countries.

It first flew on August 1967 and entered service with USAF in December 1957.
The aircraft has been used as a gunship, for scientific research, weather reconnaissance including penetrating high speed tornados, maritime reconnaissance, aerial firefighting and so on. “We have the KC130J refueller version which we feel will be a great asset to IAF. The WC130J is the weather version which can fly through a cyclone, and can be used by the weather department.
As for the Indo-US C 130J deal, Mr Rose said that under the FMS, you get exactly what you pay for.
The US government also charges an administrative fee, which is fixed periodically between 2.5 to 5 five per cent of the deal. (The percentage in this case was not readily available).
Although an FMS deal may not have an offset clause, in this case Lockheed Martin has a 30 per cent offset commitment. The company is also committed to provide periodic upgrades.

http://www.indiastrategic.in/topstories653.htm

India’s Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules Airlifter


http://lmalc.external.lmco.com/produ...dia/index.html

U.S. Dilutes Defence Technology to India

India Defence Online, New Delhi — The Indian Air Force (IAF) has managed to contract six aircraft from the US at a price of $1 billion and it will be used by the Special Forces in the IAF. However, India’s refusal to sign the Communications Inter-Operability and Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA) will mean that the aircraft will be delivered sans military grade secure equipment.

In addition, the IAF is also contracting another ten heavy strategic airlifters for an estimated $3 billion from US and the airlifters will not have the military grade security equipment since the CISMOA is not signed by India.

As for the six C-130 J Super Hercules that India has already contracted for in 2007, the first of the C-130 J will be delivered by January 2011. The six C-130 J Super Hercules are being contracted through Lockheed Martin under the foreign military route (FMS) with the US.

The US has clarified that no equipment that uses encryption, like military-grade global positioning systems (GPS), will be supplied with the C-130 J or any other aircraft to India if it does not comply with CISMOA. In fact, the technology will be denied to India in the proposed sale of the C-17 Globemaster III from Boeing of US.

As for the IAF, it seems content that it will have a platform the way it needs and then it can modify it. Although the desired level of security will be missing, the IAF is getting the configuration it wants. The flexible design of the Super Hercules enables it to be configured for many different missions, allowing for one aircraft to perform the role of many, including mid-air refuelling. A host of the special mission equipment added to the Super Hercules is removable, allowing it to quickly switch roles.

The C 130J is a special operations aircraft to land and take-off from a battle zone. It is capable of operating from rough dirt strips to drop or pick up men and material from hostile areas. It is equipped with missile defence systems and equipped with an infrared detection set (IDS). This will be the first time the IAF will be provided with an ability to conduct precision low-level flying operations, airdrops and landings in blackout conditions. The Hercules is a four-engine turbo-prop “tactical airlifter” with a payload capacity of 20 tonnes or about 120 fully-equipped airborne troops capable of landing on dirt strips and with short take-off and landing capability. It can be used to ferry troops and cargo for airborne assault.

According to sources, the Indian Coast Guard and the Border Security Force will also be receiving two Hercules aircraft each. The Hercules aircraft will be based at Hindon, East of Delhi, where the IAF base is being revamped.

Indian defence news and strategic intelligence







http://------------------------------/...-to-india.html

well if i am not wrong its late that should come early

Lockheed Martin says:

"One of the Indian Air Force’s six C-130J aircraft (front) takes its spot on the flightline in Marietta, Georgia (U.S.), with other C-130 aircraft destined for the U.S. and Canadian Air Forces. The first test flight of the aircraft is scheduled for September 21. This program is on budget and on schedule to deliver the first aircraft to India early next year."




Source

Maiden test flight for C-130J military transport aircraft next month

WASHINGTON: The C-130J military transport aircraft for which India has placed orders will have its first test run next month after a successful engine test, its manufacturer Lockheed Martin said today.

India has placed orders for six of these aircrafts. Lockheed Martin also released images showing India's first C-130J tactical transport performing engine runs for the first time.

"The aircraft is being prepared for its maiden flight early next month. The aircraft's distinctive air-to-air refuelling probe can be seen over the left side of the cockpit," the statement said.

The C-130J Super Hercules will provide the Indian Air Force with modern and effective airlift to support a wide range of requirements.

Maiden test flight for C-130J military transport aircraft next month - The Economic Times

PHOTOS: IAF Super Herc Begins Engine Runs, First Flight Next Month

Livefist - The Best of Indian Defence: PHOTOS: IAF Super Herc Begins Engine Runs, First Flight Next Month








The first C-130J for India ran engines for the first time yesterday, with its maiden flight scheduled for early next month. That's the aircraft's distinctive air-to-air refueling probe over the left side of the cockpit.

India Goes Airborne - MARIETTA, Ga., Oct. 5, 2010 - The first of six C-130J Super Hercules for India took to the skies for its maiden flight yesterday. The aircraft will now complete a series of company and customer flight tests prior to delivery in December. The second and third aircraft are due to fly within the next few weeks.

Source : Livefist

EXCLUSIVE: No CISMOA? Here's What They're Pulling From The Indian C-130J



With India still hesitant to sign the contentious Communication Interoperability & Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA) with Washington, there's a great deal that's been written and said -- mostly speculative -- about what technology the US Government will withhold from equipment already ordered by India. Several commentators have said that the American equipment on order by India -- including the C-130Js and P-8 -- wouldn't be half as useful without the technologies that would come with them if India signs the CISMOA. I've just received the official list of gear that the US Government will NOT provide to the Indian Air Force on its C-130Js. It is important to remember that this is equipment that has specifically been asked for by India. As a result, these items will be kept off the aircraft and only "may" be fitted on the aircraft once the CISMOA is signed. Here's the official list of equipment that India won't get as a direct consequence of the hanging CISMOA:

* AN/ARC-222 Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS) - Manufacured by Magnovox and administered by the US Air Force

* KV-119 IFF Digital Transponder (Mode 4 Crypto Applique) - Manufactured by Raytheon and administered by the US Air Force

* TACTERM / ANDVT Secure Voice (HF) Terminal - Administered by the US Air Force

* VINSON KY-58 Secure Voice (UHF/VHF) Module - Administered by the US Air Force

* Finally, the Rockwell-Collins AN/ARC-210(V) SATCOM Transceiver's COMSEC/DAMA embdedded RT is replaced with an RT that has no COMSEC/SINCGARS

Sources say the Indian government has a few specific reservations about the CISMOA (I'm gathering more on this), and is not convinced that there is any particular hurry to conclude the memorandum. Recently, US PACOM chief Admiral Bob Willard said in Delhi that the CISMOA was not a pre-requisite to India accessing a lot of advanced American communications technology, though this pretty much went against the sentiment in all other diplomatic and military visits from the US.

Source : Livefist

And finally here comes the US push over Indian deals... :angry_1:

With India still hesitant to sign the contentious Communication Interoperability & Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA) with Washington, there's a great deal that's been written and said -- mostly speculative -- about what technology the US Government will withhold from equipment already ordered by India. Several commentators have said that the American equipment on order by India -- including the C-130Js and P-8 -- wouldn't be half as useful without the technologies that would come with them if India signs the CISMOA. I've just received the official list of gear that the US Government will NOT provide to the Indian Air Force on its C-130Js. It is important to remember that this is equipment that has specifically been asked for by India. As a result, these items will be kept off the aircraft and only "may" be fitted on the aircraft once the CISMOA is signed. Here's the official list of equipment that India won't get as a direct consequence of the hanging CISMOA:

* AN/ARC-222 Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS) - Manufacured by Magnovox and administered by the US Air Force

* KV-119 IFF Digital Transponder (Mode 4 Crypto Applique) - Manufactured by Raytheon and administered by the US Air Force

* TACTERM / ANDVT Secure Voice (HF) Terminal - Administered by the US Air Force

* VINSON KY-58 Secure Voice (UHF/VHF) Module - Administered by the US Air Force

* Finally, the Rockwell-Collins AN/ARC-210(V) SATCOM Transceiver's COMSEC/DAMA embdedded RT is replaced with an RT that has no COMSEC/SINCGARS

Sources say the Indian government has a few specific reservations about the CISMOA , and is not convinced that there is any particular hurry to conclude the memorandum. Recently, US PACOM chief Admiral Bob Willard said in Delhi that the CISMOA was not a pre-requisite to India accessing a lot of advanced American communications technology, though this pretty much went against the sentiment in all other diplomatic and military visits from the US.

Livefist - The Best of Indian Defence: EXCLUSIVE: No CISMOA? Here's What They're Pulling From The Indian C-130J

These guys just put the name "super" to all their export products just to make it look fancier. Super hercules, super viper, super hornet. What next, Super Poseidon?