Lockheed Reveals C-130J-SOF at Paris

aviationweek.com...

The latest variant of the venerable C130 was unveiled today at Paris. Dubed the C130J-SOF it basically takes elements from the AC-130 (gunship), the MC-130 P, W, and E. (combat SAR, tanking, etc) and perhaps some elements of the Compass Call version as well.

Highlights include:

1) The ability to use the USMC's modular Harvest hawk Kit that will allow them to swap out sensors and fire a wide variety of munitions including hellfires etc
2) Uprated electrical generation capacity
3) 30 MM cannon
4) The ability to serve as a communication node (Perhaps like a BACN) and perform SIGINT
5) The ability to tank other aircraft
6) Electronic warfare capacities

Its a pretty impressive list of abilities and according to the article the base model is $10 million (USD) more than the standard J model. SOF will be chomping at the bit to get this one IMHO

www.thedrive.com...

Gunship been crap since U Model. They will eventually dump the missiles and put 105mm back on Gunships. Missiles severely limit the Gunships mission duration. You cannot carry that many like you can 105mm shells. The strength of Gunships was their ability to pound away for hours.

a reply to: Xeven

They already put the 105 back. The J originally didn't have it but they almost immediately decided to put it back.

a reply to: Zaphod58
Cool. Been retired awhile.