C-130J Super Hercules
Roll-On Roll-Off Capability Of The C-130: The Future
The induction of the C-130J into the Indian Air Force has made Indian defence stronger in terms of its reaching capabilities. The aircraft can bring to troops what they need wherever they are located. The four-engine turboprop plane can be used for troop deployment, special operations, air-to-air refuelling, disaster relief and humanitarian aid operations. Its technology and configuration enable the aircraft to perform precision low-level flying, airdrops and land in blackout conditions. The aircraft, used in peacekeeping missions in Africa and for tsunami relief efforts in Indonesia, has a maximum cruise speed of 355 knots or 660 kmph. The maximum take-off weight is 75,390 kg and it can carry a payload of up to 21,770 kg.
The induction of the C-130J into the Indian Air Force has made Indian defence stronger in terms of its reaching capabilities…
The Indian Air Force in August 2013 sent a message to Beijing about India’s ownership of a strategic salient near the Karakoram Pass at India’s northern tip. The IAF landed a Super Hercules on the mud-surfaced, 16,600 feet-high Daulat Beg Oldie airstrip. Earlier, in May 2012, to display its strategic reach, the IAF flew a Super Hercules a six-hour, non-stop mission from Delhi to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
The C-130J is the standard by which all other airlift is measured in terms of availability, flexibility and reliability. Apart from their combat operations, C-130Js are often the first to support humanitarian missions, such as search and rescue, aerial firefighting and delivering relief supplies after earthquakes, hurricanes, typhoons and tsunamis. Parts for the global C-130J fleet are made in Australia by Sydney (NSW)-based Quickstep Holdings.
In 2012 at the Singapore Air Show, Lockheed Martin introduced a new version of the C-130J – the ‘Sea Herc’ – designed to address the needs of customers looking for both high mission functionality and flexibility in utilisation of the aircraft. In its initial configuration, the Sea Herc takes a palletised version of the anti-submarine warfare capability sourced from the long serving P-3 Orion. Other capabilities being offered for incorporation into the C-130J included anti-surface warfare and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
The roll-on/roll-off mission capability packages can be installed onto, and removed from, the C-130J within 30 minutes. When specialised mission capabilities are not required, the mission systems pallet can be removed, and the C-130J re-tasked as a medium range cargo aircraft for either military or humanitarian operations.
The C-130J is the standard by which all other airlift is measured in terms of availability, flexibility and reliability…
A country like India needs to look at this technology more keenly not only for its C-130 but also the C-17 Globemaster III it operates.
Conclusion
Future battles will be short term, fluid, intense and swift. The forces involved may be of a very large size or they may just be those in a special operation involving a few highly skilled soldiers. Advanced technologies will be exploited and the entire range of terrains and weather will be incorporated into the plans. The typical linear battlefield will be replaced by combat situations with a 360 degree threat. These future battles will be network-centric with potential for new high tech weapons, NBC arsenal and use of all instruments of national power including the non-state actors. The future hybrid nature of warfare in full spectrum of conflict will be effect based rather than massing of effects.
In a multi-polar world, military strategies will be dictated by the economic interests of a nation. The world will witness more of the conflicts in mid and lower portion of the spectrum. Thus, the role of specialised composite formations and units may be lesser at the higher end of the spectrum as compared to the lower end in safeguarding the nation’s interests in future. Hence the strategic and tactical airlift apart from other means holds the key to a rapid response in shaping the outcome at continental ranges.
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I was needing this wonderful information. Thank you for describing this deeply.
Well the real issue is that what do we need for our country:-
For what ?
How Much ?
and who controls what?
Strategic capabilities are spelt out by the Governments Foreign policy. What do we intend to do where ? That’s pretty much not there, we are horribly incoherent about what we intend to do or pursue in our sphere of influence – that too if we have one. So what do we do or how do we decide as to what we need. A couple of high sounding names and acquisitions like the C-130 and the C-17 are not adequate to meet our terms. One has to have a deep understanding of Airborne and Air Mobile Operations. In strategic terms is gets spelt out in terms of — Where and how far — With how much? – And for how long. Firstly since its an aircraft the first word taken is of the Air Force. But then who will run the ground show finally? What do you want on ground and in what time frame ? The technicalities put forward by the Air Force beats the whole issue before it is started. The Army is left to plan on what the Air Force can provide at that time. Is that an unhealthy solution. We are stuck in a quagmire that’s between the Air Force and the Army. If you are thinking of operations of any kind beyond the shores of India, for what ever purpose do not look at a Battalion Group, look at a larger force level – we have the Ground/Airborne element – but do we have the Air Element. That’s a big question.
You just described the aircraft – what do we need to have ? We make too much out of a C-130 landing at DBO. Ages back we were landing C-119s at DBO and Fukche. Your article seems to be incomplete.
Adding to your comment, some of the aircraft mentioned in the article (C-141) are no longer in use.