The primary Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules plane for German Air Pressure (Luftwaffe) made its maiden flight on 8 November. Plane 55 + 01 (tail quantity 5930) departed Lockheed Martin’s Marietta manufacturing facility within the US state of Georgia for its inaugural take a look at flight, forward of supply to the newly established Franco-German transport squadron in early 2022. In January 2017, German defence minister introduced the intention to buy 3 C-130J and three KC-130J Hercules to amass tactical airlift capabilities as a result of delayed deliveries of the Airbus A400M.[63] Along with the C-130J of the French Air Pressure it will type a joint air transport squadron.
In 2018, Germany introduced the acquisition of six Tremendous Hercules plane to be operated in partnership with French Air Pressure. France has obtained a complete of 4 Tremendous Hercules plane by means of a Overseas Army Sale with the U.S. authorities. France’s Lockheed Martin C-130J Tremendous Hercules are operated along side its current C-130H fleet. The binational C-130J Tremendous Hercules Squadron air transport squadron being fashioned by France and Germany is to succeed in its preliminary operational functionality (IOC) on 1 September as deliberate regardless of the Covid-19 pandemic. The French and German squadron consists of a mixed 10 Tremendous Hercules plane.
Commercial
The squadron’s 4 French Air Pressure C-130Js are stationed at Air Base 123 at Orleans-Bricy pending their transfer to Evreux in Normandy the place the joint Franco-German air transport squadron might be based mostly. The German Air Pressure reported {that a} upkeep hangar for 3 plane is being constructed at Evreux the place 10 C-130Js might be based mostly, half of which might be tanker variations. The 16-strong German nationwide help aspect is scheduled to maneuver to Evreux in April together with seven Bundeswehr civilian personnel, adopted by French members of the squadron in July and 40 Luftwaffe pilots, technicians, load masters, clerks, and administrative employees in August.
The Lockheed Martin C-130J Tremendous Hercules is a four-engine turboprop army transport plane. The C-130J is a complete replace of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules, with new engines, flight deck, and different programs. Externally just like the basic Hercules generally look, the J-model options significantly up to date expertise. These variations embrace new Rolls-Royce AE 2100 D3 turboprop engines with Dowty R391 composite scimitar propellers, digital avionics, and diminished crew necessities. 400 C-130J plane have been delivered to 17 nations. The C-130J is the most recent model of the C-130 Hercules and the one mannequin nonetheless in manufacturing.
