Air Combat Command officials on April 19 witnessed rollout of a new rescue tanker at Lockheed Martin’s Marietta, Ga., facility. The HC-130J, which still must complete flight test before going to ACC later this year, is based on the Marine Corps KC-130J baseline version and includes an enhanced cargo handling system, a boom refueling receptacle, an electro-optical/infrared sensor, and a combat systems operator station on the flight deck. Maj. Gen. Thomas Andersen, ACC’s director of requirements, said the personnel recovery mission “is demanding” and the HC-130J “will enable us to meet the expanding operational tasks that we face today.” Lockheed’s vice president for C-130 programs Ross Reynolds noted, “Yet again, we see the C-130 setting new standards for mission flexibility.” USAF has ordered 21 C-130Js to replace older HC-130s and MC-130s. ACC expects to achieve initial operational capability with the rescue J model in 2012. (Lockheed Martin release)
The Space Development Agency says it’s on track to issue its next batch of missile warning and tracking satellite contracts this month after those awards were delayed by the Pentagon’s decision to divert funds from the agency to pay troops during this fall’s prolonged government shutdown.
