Lockheed Martin has delivered two more C-130J Super Hercules airlifters to 3rd Airlift Wing, Little Rock AFB, Ark., where they were assigned to the 48th Airlift Squadron—the Air Force’s C-130J training unit. A total of six have been delivered to the unit this year, and the new aircraft are the longer fuselage C-130Js that feature a strengthened cargo ramp and improved airdrop capability. A total of 180 C-130Js are on order, with 135 delivered already.
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.