India takes delivery of first C-130J airlifter

WASHINGTON - At a ceremony in Marietta, Georgia, Lockheed Martin delivered the first of six C-130J Super Hercules airlifters for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The new fleet was ordered under a $1.2 billion US foreign military sale.

There are few mottos that impart such passion as that of the Indian Air Force, which is Touch the Sky With Glory, said Lorraine Martin, Lockheed Martins vice president for C-130 programmes, during Thursday’s ceremony.

Today begins a new glorious, enduring partnership with India as the fourth largest air force in the world proudly joins the worldwide C-130 family, Martin added.

This is Indias first experience with the C-130 so the package being provided by the US government is comprehensive, a Lockheed Martin statement said.

The contract includes six aircraft, training of aircrew and maintenance technicians, spares, ground support and test equipment, servicing carts, forklifts, loading vehicles, cargo pallets and a team of technical specialists who will be based in India during a three-year initial support period.

Also included in the package is an India-unique operational equipment designed to increase Special Operations capabilities, the statement said.

The first two C-130Js will be flown to India early next year and will be followed by the remaining four aircraft deliveries in 2011. The fleet will be based at Hindon Air Force Station on the outskirts of New Delhi.

The IAFs C-130J Super Hercules is a highly integrated and sophisticated configuration primarily designed to support Indias special operations requirements, the statement said.

Equipped with an Infrared Detection Set (IDS), the aircraft can perform precision low-level flying, airdrops and landing in blackout conditions. Self-protection systems and other features are included to ensure aircraft survivability in hostile air defence environments.

The aircraft also is equipped with air-to-air receiver refueling capability for extended range operations.

The C-130J is ideally suited to Indias mission environment, which often involves operating out of austere, high-elevation airstrips in hot conditions, the statement said.

The aircraft is powered by four Rolls Royce AE2100 engines and Dowty six-bladed props which provide it with a great deal of thrust.

The C-130J has been operated for the past several years in the mountainous areas of Afghanistan in conditions similar to India and performed exceptionally well, the statement said.