The C-130H aircraft was formerly used by the US Air Force (USAF), and arrived in Botswana on May 24, 2024. It was officially given to the Botswana Defence Force during a handover ceremony on June 27, 2024 at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE).

The handover coincided with the Africa Chiefs of Defence Conference held in Botswana.

鈥淭he transfer of this aircraft from the United States to Botswana is a testament to how the US and Botswana work together to further a shared commitment to peace, security, and prosperity in the region,鈥� US Ambassador to Botswana Howard Van Vranken said in a statement.

鈥淭he United States is honored to play a role in ensuring that the Botswana Defence Force has the capability to perform vital missions not only in Botswana, but when called upon regionally as well,鈥� Van Vranken added.

The C-130H Hercules, worth $30 million, was granted through the US Excess Defense Articles Program, under which the US transfers or hands over excess defense equipment to foreign governments or international organizations.

The US Embassy in Gaborone said the C-130H donation aligns with the US Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa, which emphasizes security cooperation and capacity building.

The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is an American four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built by Lockheed Martin, and is known for its toughness and versatility. It is used by operators in the United States and internationally to perform a variety of missions, including fighting wildfires, delivering humanitarian aid, and conducting search, rescue, and defense missions.

US hands over three CN 235-220 maritime surveillance aircraft to Malaysia

• Defense

byJean Carmela Lim

2024-07-01

The milestone aircraft, a KC-130J Super Hercules tanker, will be operated by the USMC Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252, which is based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. 

“The Lockheed Martin team is honored to deliver this milestone Super Hercules to the U.S. Marine Corps, where it will be part of the largest KC-130J fleet in the world and provide true force amplification across the globe,” said Rod McLean, Vice President and General Manager of Lockheed Martin’s Air Mobility & Maritime Missions line of business. “Not only does this Hercules represent the 2,700th C-130 delivered, but it also reflects the inherent mission and performance adaptability that fuels the C-130’s ongoing relevance.” 

The KC-130J variant is a tactical tanker that can refuel both rotary and fixed-wing aircraft. Its design allows it to fly at low speeds and altitudes, ideal for helicopter refueling. 

The C-130 Hercules, the workhorse of tactical transport听

Developed by Lockheed Martin, the C-130 Hercules is designed to perform a wide range of operations, including troop transport, cargo airlift, medical evacuation, and aerial refueling.  

68 years after its introduction, the C-130 remains a versatile and reliable aircraft used by military forces in more than 70 countries. Its capacity to land on unprepared runways and operate in challenging environments makes it essential for various military and humanitarian missions worldwide.  

The current production model, the C-130J Super Hercules, features advanced avionics, enhanced flight performance, and increased payload capacity. The global C-130J fleet consists of 26 operators from 22 nations, with a combined total of over three million flight hours. 

In March 2024, the US Air Force decided not to equip the AC-130J Ghostrider, a gunship variant of the Hercules, with a high-energy laser weapon due to technical challenges. 

USAF cancels plan for high-energy laser weapon on AC-130J gunship

• Defense

byClement Charpentreau

2024-03-20

The information was first reported by , citing a spokesperson for the USAF Special Operations Command.  

The Airborne High Energy Laser (AHEL) was supposed to be integrated and tested on the AC-130J Ghostrider gunship with airborne testing scheduled to commence in January 2024 and be completed by June 2024. However, the project was eventually discontinued due to delays that caused it to miss its “available integration and flight test window.” 

The AHEL project has been in development since 2015, with Lockheed Martin receiving a contract in 2019 to integrate and demonstrate the system on the AC-130J. The envisioned laser system was intended to provide support for special operations by targeting communication nodes, vehicles, and power infrastructures on the battlefield, offering tactical advantages without alerting the enemy. 

The AC-130J is a heavily armed ground attack aircraft, adapted from the C-130 Hercules transport plane. Using two side-firing guns, it is designed for close air support, air interdiction, and armed reconnaissance missions.听With a history of service dating back to the Vietnam War, the AC-130 remains a formidable presence in modern warfare. The latest version, the AC-130J Ghostrider, boasts upgraded avionics and weapon systems, further enhancing its capabilities on the battlefield.听

Despite the termination of the AHEL project, the technology developed may find application in other laser weapons programs. One such initiative is the Self-Protect High-Energy Laser Demonstrator (SHiELD) program, which aims to mount laser systems on fighter jets to counter incoming missiles. Testing for the SHiELD system is expected to proceed in 2024. 

In July 2022, Lockheed Martin delivered the first LANCE airborne laser system to the US Air Force Research Laboratory as part of the SHiELD initiative. LANCE, designed as a podded system for combat aircraft, is designed to shoot down missiles and light aircraft. Although the timeline for widespread adoption has not been disclosed, this delivery marked a significant step forward in developing directed-energy weapons for the USAF. 

USAF to begin testing the first laser on a fighter jet

• Defense

byValius Venckunas

2022-07-12

The aircraft (registered 5X-SBR) was performing a freight flight from Uganda to Jowhar (Somalia) on March 9, 2024, carrying supplies to support the ATMIS forces (African Transition Mission in Somalia). Upon landing in Jowhar, the plane veered off the right side of the runway, stopping on rough ground  The aircraft sustained substantial damage as a result of the incident. 

After coming to a halt, the aircraft精东影业 right main landing gear and nose gear collapsed. Additionally, the outboard right-hand propeller was sheared off by the impact, and the right-wing tip was also damaged. Passengers evacuated the aircraft, while airport emergency services tackled and extinguished a small post-impact fire.听

There were no injuries suffered by anyone onboard although the total number of passengers and crew has not been disclosed by BAR Aviation. Photos of the wrecked aircraft posted on social media appear to support reports that the aircraft suffered extensive damage as a result. 

According to local media reports, the incident was attributed to pilot error in conjunction with the poor state of the airport infrastructure.at Jowhar Airport.听

The aircraft精东影业 operator, , is a general air service provider in Uganda. The company offers a diverse range of services, which includes operating scheduled and charter passenger services, cargo flights, pilot training, medical evacuation flights, and MRO (Maintenance and Repair Organization) services, all from its main operating base at Entebbe International Airport (EBB) in Uganda. The company also designs, manufactures, and supplies drones as part of its portfolio of services.听听听听

In addition to the Lockheed L-100 Hercules aircraft damaged in the Jowhar incident, BAR Aviation operates an eclectic fleet of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. Types operated include turboprops such as the Beechcraft 1900D, Pilatus PC-12, and Cessna Caravan 208B. The company also has a Canadair Challenger 604 business jet plus uses Cessna C-172s for flight training.  

Alongside the above types, the company also has an extensive range of helicopters, which, according to the company website, includes the Eurocopter EC-130, Bell 505, Bell 206, and Bell 412.   

The aircraft involved in the Jowhar incident was built in 1975 and provides a cargo capacity of up to 50 tons (50,000kg). 

According to the BAR Aviation website, the L-100 is capable of 鈥渃arrying large payloads over long distances at high speeds. It can take off and land on short runways (less than 4,000 feet / 1,200m), making it ideal for use in areas with rough terrain or limited infrastructure.鈥澨�

鈥淭he aircraft精东影业 increased capacity and range means that it can now fly to remote areas with ease, making it possible to deliver goods faster and more efficiently than ever before. This will greatly improve access to remote areas where roads are poor or non-existent, allowing companies in these regions to grow their businesses while reducing costs associated with transportation.鈥� 

Given the damage sustained by the aircraft in this incident, when considered alongside its age, it will be interesting to see whether 5X-SBR will be repaired and returned to service or written off as being beyond economic repair by the company or its insurers.听听

Airbus delivers 49 aircraft to 28 customers in February, two A350-900 orders

• Aircraft
• Airlines

byIan Molyneaux

2024-03-08

The RNoAF operates a fleet of four C-130J-30 tactical airlifters received between 2008 and 2012. The Block 8.1 upgrade kit will further augment its capabilities.  

鈥淣orway精东影业 C-130J-30 fleet is a national asset with tremendous regional reach and impact, supporting critical missions with NATO, European Union and global Super Hercules partners,鈥� said Danya Trent, Vice President of International Programs for the Air Mobility & Maritime Missions line of business at Lockheed Martin. 鈥淎s security demands increase, the Royal Norwegian Air Force C-130J-30 fleet must always be prepared to support any mission requirement. The Block 8.1 upgrade ensures the Norway精东影业 Super Hercules fleet is mission-ready at any given time, delivering unprecedented reach, protection and connection.鈥�  

The contract involves upgrading four aircraft to the Block 8.1 standard and improving their performance and interoperability across various Nordic regions and beyond mission scenarios. The work will be carried out at Lockheed Martin’s Greenville facility in South Carolina.  

The Block 8.1 upgrade features numerous enhancements, including a new flight management system that complies with CNS/ATM mandates and civil GPS, updated Identification Friend or Foe systems, improved inter-communication capabilities, and better approach and landing systems. 

Norway’s C-130J-30s serve diverse operational requirements, including personnel and equipment transport, humanitarian aid, aeromedical airlift, Special Operations support, cold weather operations, and disaster relief efforts. As a long-time operator of the Hercules aircraft, the RNoAF was the first Foreign Military Sales participant in the C-130J Super Hercules program. 

In July 2023, Australia announced the purchase of 20 C-130J Hercules aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) for USD9.8 billion.听听

Royal Australian Air Force to replace and expand C-130J Hercules fleet

• Defense

byClement Charpentreau

2023-07-24

The aircraft, tail number 5975, was delivered to the 165th Airlift Wing, based in Savannah, Georgia, which has been operating Hercules aircraft since 1975. In total, eight aircraft will be delivered to the Georgia Air National Guard.  

鈥淭oday’s delivery of a C-130J-30 Super Hercules means our brave servicemembers will now fly the most advanced Hercules aircraft in history, proudly built right here in the State of Georgia at Lockheed Martin’s historic Marietta manufacturing facility,鈥� Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said. 

The C-130J-30 Super Hercules is a stretched version of the C-130J, which offers an additional 15 feet of cargo space. The aircraft delivered is the first to be built in the Block 8.1 standard, featuring a new flight management system, upgraded navigation and inter-communication systems, and a revamped friend-or-foe identification system.听

The C-130J is flown by 26 operators in 22 nations globally. Lockheed Martin has delivered more than 530 C-130J Super Hercules in 18 mission variants.

The Kargil airstrip, positioned in the north of India and on Himalayan terrain, poses a tricky challenge for top pilots to land in at the best of times, let alone at night.  

The IAF celebrated landing the Super Hercules for the first time at the airstrip during the night in a post on social media. 听

鈥淚n a first, an IAF C-130 J aircraft recently carried out a night landing at the Kargil airstrip. Employing terrain masking enroute, the exercise also dovetailed a training mission of the Garuds,鈥� the IAF wrote on January, 7, 2024. 听

The operation is not only significant due to the difficulty in completing the landing but also because the area has previously been the focus of military conflict with Pakistan. 听

The Super Hercules鈥� first landing at Kargil airstrip means that the IAF can now transport troops to the region if needed 24 hours a day.听

In a first, an IAF C-130 J aircraft recently carried out a night landing at the Kargil airstrip. Employing terrain masking enroute, the exercise also dovetailed a training mission of the Garuds.

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC)

The C-130J is known for operating at night and flying in poor weather conditions. The aircraft can also refuel midflight so is capable of traveling huge distances.  

The aircraft is used by countries all over the globe including the British Royal Air Force (RAF).听

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• Defense

byIan Molyneaux

2024-01-05

The DND will purchase the units from US aerospace, arms defense, information security, and technology company Lockheed Martin through a direct commercial sale.

The three C-130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft are scheduled to arrive in the Philippines in July 2026, October 2026 and January 2027.  

The three aircraft will be added to PAF’s current mixed fleet of C-130s used to support Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) efforts and military operations.

鈥淭he additional cargo space of the C-130J-30, coupled with the reliability of C-130 aircraft we have in our current fleet, will provide our Air Force with greater operational flexibility,鈥� DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong told .

鈥淭hese features will empower our PAF to meet the demands of the AFP精东影业 tactical missions more effectively,鈥� Andalong added.

“Philippine Air Force crews have long demonstrated what the C-130 is designed to do: go everywhere 鈥� in any condition 鈥� to deliver hope and help where it’s needed most,” Rod McLean, Vice President and General Manager of Lockheed Martin’s Air Mobility & Maritime Missions line of business, said in a release.

“It is an honor to continue serving the Philippines with the most advanced and capable C-130 ever produced. The Super Hercules provides the Philippine Air Force with unmatched interoperability and capability, supporting challenging mission requirements across the Pacific region,” McLean added.

The C-130J is the newest variant of the venerable C-130 and is equipped with new engines, flight deck and other systems. It is capable of transporting 92 to 128 passengers and has a maximum allowable load of 40,000.

The Philippines is a long-standing C-130 operator, receiving its first Hercules in the early 1970s.

A modified C130-J Hercules proves instrumental in RAAF Tonga mission

• Defense

byJean Carmela Lim

2022-01-25

The decision was announced in a conference held on September 20, 2023, by Austria精东影业 Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner.  

“Since 2003, the three Hercules aircraft have completed many missions and have always been a reliable transport device for our soldiers,鈥� Tanner said. 鈥淣ow it is time for the Embraer C-390 to replace the C-130 Hercules.” 

The decision to transition to the Embraer C-390 comes after extensive evaluation and consideration of various aircraft options to meet Austria’s military requirements in terms of versatility, range, and cargo capacity. 

鈥淓mbraer’s aircraft system is the only one in the 20-ton [payload 鈥� ed. note] class that meets all of our requirements,” Tanner said. 

The Embraer C-390 Millennium stands as a versatile tactical transport aircraft, proficient in executing a wide spectrum of missions. These encompass humanitarian assistance, medical evacuations, search and rescue operations, troop and cargo transport, and even the possibility of configuring it for tasks like aerial refueling and waterbombing. Fueled by the Pratt and Whitney V2500-E5 engines, the aircraft boasts a cargo capacity of 26 tons. 

The Austrian Defense Minister began the procurement process to replace the C-130K in 2021, due to increasing maintenance costs. Four C-390 will be acquired to replace the current fleet of three Hercules. The estimated procurement costs for each aircraft range between 鈧�130 and 鈧�150 million. The ministry hopes to receive the first C-390 aircraft by 2026 or 2027. 

鈥淓mbraer is ready to support the Austrian Ministry of Defense and Air Force in order to meet the demanding requirements of their acquisition process and prepared to further strengthen the relationship with this nation,鈥� the manufacturer said in a statement.  

The new C-390 will be operated by the Austrian Air Force Air Transport Squadron from Vogler Air Base, which shares the runway with Linz Airport (LNZ). 

Austria entered negotiations with the Netherlands, which also plans to operate the C-390, to cooperate on training and maintenance. 

Netherlands to replace C-130 Hercules with Embraer C-390 transporter

• Defense

byClement Charpentreau

2022-06-20

The new transport aircraft ordered by the Albanese Government of Australia are set to replace and expand upon the existing fleet of 12 C-130J Hercules aircraft currently operated by the RAAF. The delivery of the first aircraft is anticipated in late 2027.  

Within the Australian Defence Force (ADF), the C-130J Hercules aircraft serves for the deployment of personnel, equipment, and vital humanitarian supplies. The aircraft is renowned for its versatility, being regularly deployed in critical missions such as search and rescue operations, disaster relief efforts, and medical evacuations. 

鈥淭he C-130J Hercules is an important capability for our defence force, but also for Australia as a nation,鈥� Australia精东影业 Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles commented. 鈥淔rom bushfire and flood emergencies across the country, the delivery of crucial supplies to the region during the COVID-19 pandemic and more than two decades supporting peacekeeping operations, this has and will continue to be a crucial asset.鈥� 

The newly acquired aircraft will be operated by No. 37 Squadron at RAAF Base Richmond in New South Wales, which has been flying the model since 1999 and previous variants of the Hercules since 1966. 

Australian Air Force secures US approval for C-130J Super Hercules deal

• Defense

byGabriele Petrauskaite

2022-11-03