Lockheed C-130 Hercules

A standard system of special forces avionics equips the MC-130W: a fully integrated Global Positioning System and Inertial Navigation System, an AN/APN-241 Low Power Color weather/navigation radar; interior and exterior NVG-compatible lighting; advanced threat detection and automated countermeasures, including active infared countermeasures as well as chaff and flares; upgraded communication suites, including include dual satellite communications using data burst transmission to make trackback difficult; aerial refueling capability; and the ability to act as an aerial tanker for helicopters and CV-22 Osprey aircraft using Mk 32B-902E refueling pods.

he MC-130Ws are assigned to the 73rd Special Operations Squadron at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico,with all twelve to be operational by 2010.

Initially nicknamed the "Whiskey" (NATO phonetic for the "W" modifier), the MC-130W was officially dubbed the Combat Spear in May 2007 to honor the historical legacy of the Combat Talons in Vietnam.

The MC-130W is unofficially and facetiously known as the "Combat Wombat."

In May 2009, following a lapse of plans to acquire and develop an AC-27J "gunship light" to replace the aging, operations-stressed AC-130 inventory, the Air Force began exploring an option of converting MC-130Ws into interim gunships.

In addition to employing wing-mounted Hellfire/DAGR missiles, the Combat Spears would be convertible by the use of roll-on, roll-off kits featuring a Bushmaster II Mk44 30mm gun, sensors, communications systems and precision-guided munitions attachable to permanent installations in the aircraft, known as the Adaptive Carriage Environment (ACE).

The PGMs are to be in the form of the Gunslinger weapons system, a launch tube designed to deploy up to ten stand-off GBU-44/B Viper Strikes or similar small standoff munitions in quick succession.

Initial supplemental funds to the 2010 Defense Authorization Bill were for two kits to be installed in 2010.

On November 17, 2009, a contract was awarded to Alliant Techsystems to produce 30mm ammunition for its Bushmaster II in the Combat Spear RO-RO package.

MC-130P Combat Shadow

The MC-130P series of aircraft entered service during the Vietnam War as the HC-130N/P SAR command and control/vertical lift aerial refueling aircraft. Combat Shadows have been part of the Air Force special operations force since the mid-1980s.

In February 1996, AFSOC's 28-aircraft tanker fleet was redesignated the MC-130P, aligning the variant with other M-series special operations mission aircraft.

Combat Shadows provided air refueling support in Panama to Army and Air Force helicopters during Operation Just Cause.

In 1990, four Combat Shadows of the 9th Special Operations Squadron deployed to King Fahd International Airport, Saudi Arabia for Desert Storm, and three of the 67th Special Operations Squadron to Batman Air Base, Turkey for Proven Force.

Since the Gulf War, the MC-130P has been involved in numerous operations, including Northern Watch and Southern Watch (Iraq), Deny Flight (Yugoslavia), Restore Democracy and Uphold Democracy (Haiti), Deliberate Force and Joint Endeavor (Bosnia), Assured Response (Liberia), Guardian Retrieval (Zaire), Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and Iraqi Freedom.

The Combat Shadow flies single or multi-ship low-level air refueling missions for special operations helicopters conducting infiltration, exfiltration, and supply missions, with command and control capability in limited situations.

The primary emphasis for Combat Shadows is on night operations, using a 95-degree scan PNVG capability to reduce probability of visual acquisition and intercept by airborne threats.

In 2008 the Air Force announced that it would replace the MC-130P fleet with a new aircraft based on the C-130J airframe.

Once upgraded with SOF modifications, the new aircraft will be called the MC-130J.

AFSOC operates 23 MC-130P Combat Shadows in three squadrons:

* 9th Special Operations Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida;
* 17th Special Operations Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa; and
* 67th Special Operations Squadron, RAF Mildenhall, England

Air Education and Training Command operates the MC-130P at the Formal Training Unit:

* 550th Special Operations Squadron, Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque New Mexico

The Air National Guard operates four MC-130P Combat Shadows embedded in the 129th Rescue Wing:

* 130th Rescue Squadron (California Air National Guard), Moffett Federal Airfield, California

[Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien]

The 130th Rescue Squadron is a unit of the California Air National Guard. It currently flies the HH-60G Pavehawk and MC-130P Combat Shadow for its missions. Its parent unit is the 129th Rescue Wing.

[Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir cette image]

Future MC-130s

Beginning in 1997, studies of the vulnerability of the non-stealthy MC-130 force reflected concerns about its viability in modern high-threat environments, including the prevalence of man-portable air-defense systems ("MANPADs") in asymmetric conflicts. At least two studies were conducted or proposed to explore the prospect of a replacement aircraft (known variously as "MC-X" or "M-X"), with USAF at that time hoping for an Initial Operating Capability date of 2018.

One analyst questioned the survivability of slow non-stealthy platforms such as the MC-130 in future threat environments in a 2007 presentation to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and stated his opinion that development of a stealthy replacement for the MC-130 is a "strategic priority".

The U.S. Department of Defense's 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review Report also recognized the concern, asserting DoD's intention to "enhance capabilities to support SOF insertion and extraction into denied areas from strategic distances."

USAF has proceeded with modernization of the current force, however.

The final assembly of a new-production special mission C-130 Hercules aircraft was begun at Lockheed Martin’s facility on October 5, 2009. Based on the KC-130J tanker operated by the United States Marines Corps, the new C-130J has added features for both combat search and rescue and special operations missions, including "an electro-optic/infrared sensor, enhanced cargo-handling system, and higher capacity generators."

Lockheed Martin will build an MC-130J tanker version for Air Force Special Operations Command on its standard C-130J production line.

The Air Force has stated it desires 37 MC-130Js to replace its MC-130Es and MC-130Ps, which are 40 or more years old. The first production aircraft will be an HC-130J SAR/tanker variant, but ten MC-130Js will be built in 2011.

Specifications (MC-130H Combat Talon II)

Data from United States Air Force Factsheet

General characteristics

* Crew: 7
* Capacity: 77 troops, 52 paratroopers or 57 litter patients
* Length: 99 feet, 9 inches (30.4 meters)
* Wingspan: 132 feet, 7 inches (40.4 meters)
* Height: 38 feet, 6 inches (11.7 meters)
* Empty weight: 72,892 pounds (32, 801 kilogram)
* Max takeoff weight: 155,000 pounds (69,750 kilogram)
* Powerplant: 4× Allison T56-A-15 turboprop, 4,910 shaft horsepower (3,660 kW) each

Performance

* Cruise speed: 300 mi/hr (482 km/h)
* Range: 2,700 nautical miles (4,344 kilometers)
* Service ceiling: 33,000 feet (10,000 meters)