Lockheed-Martin, NEW YORK: General John Handy, Commander of the US Transportation Command and the Air Mobility Command has just delivered the Lockheed-Martin built C-130J, known as the Super Hercules to Little Rock Air Force Base, personally. The C-130J has seen duty in Iraq and Southwest Asia, and is flown by the USAF, Air Force Reserve Command and Air National Guard units.
Handy's decision to fly the plane himself demonstrates his support for the continued deployment of the “J”. He is particularly impressed with the high reliability of the aircraft. While supporting the global war on terror from last December until last month, the J achieved more than a 92 per cent mission capable rate. That compares with the goal of 75 per cent for the earlier C- 130s. It is the cargo and personnel “workhorse” of the US military.
C-130Js are able to relieve many of the truck convoys thus taking U.S. forces out of harms way. The aircraft have already established a reputation for being able to conduct operations that are transforming the way tactical airlift is conducted, vastly increasing performance and resulting in more efficient and safer operations.
While the J looks very much like the earlier models of the C-130, it is the most advanced airlifter ever built. It flies faster, further and higher than its predecessors, all with a smaller crew. It's the prime transport for dropping troops and equipment into hostile areas, resulting in safer and more efficient operations.
