The 374th Airlift Wing at Yokota AB, Japan, is preparing to begin swapping its legacy C-130s for new-build C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, Lockheed Martin representatives announced at ASC?15. Dyess AFB, Texas, and Ramstein AB, Germany, have fully converted to the C-130J under the Air Force’s overall C-130 recapitalization effort. Dyess currently boasts 28 C-130Js, making it the largest Super Hercules operator world-wide, according to the company. The company is also delivering special mission HC/MC-130Js to Moody AFB, Ga., RAF Mildenhall, UK, and Kadena AB, Japan.
The Air Force has embraced new technical approaches like open mission systems and rapid software updates for cutting-edge aircraft like the B-21 and Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Increasingly, though, the service is also working to apply these to its older, “legacy” aircraft, officials said this week.