The first of the six C-130J aircraft from Lockheed Martin will be delivered to the IAF in December and the remaining by 2012. Jack Crisler, Director International C-130 Programs Business Development speaks to SP’s Photo Journalist Abhishek Singh about the details of the aircraft during an exclusive media tour to Lockheed Martin’s C-130J manufacturing unit in Atlanta.
The Lockheed Martin’s manufacturing unit in Atlanta is 76 times the size of a football ground and is divided into two parts. While one manufacturing unit is dedicated for production of C-130J, the other unit is under construction for production of F-35. The company officials claim that in the next six years time, the company will be able to manufacture atleast one F-35 aircraft every day.
“There is a worldwide requirement of C-130J especially in countries like Middle East, Africa, Europe, UAE, Israel and Kuwait,” says Jack Crisler. “The C-130J is affordable, relevant and versatile. It can be utilised in various roles like aerial refueling, electronic warfare, combat delivery, humanitarian support, armed ISR, maritime patrol, rapid ground refueling, weather reconnaissance and firefighting,” he adds.
The company claims to have delivered 2,340 C-130 aircraft in seven countries across the globe, and has a long term contract with countries like UK, Australia and Canada. UK was the first country to have C-130 aircraft, and now India and Qatar have also joined the race. The C-130 production line in Atlanta manufactures 25 aircraft every year, and has the potential to increase its capacity to manufacture atleast 36 aircraft.
The C-130J has Greater Climb Rate and Higher Initial Cruise Altitude as compared to C-130H and it can climb upto 24,500 ft in just 22 minutes. The C-30J has the ability to transport 33 per cent more pallets, uses half the cockpit crew, enhances situational awareness, burns less fuel, and flies faster and higher.
