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Old 10th Oct 2007, 06:21
  #16 (permalink)  
ORAC
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
 
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No, but it's another indication the C-130 no longer meets the operational need. It can't take the current/next generational of battlefield vehicles - even an up-armoured Stryker has to stripped down and sent as 2 loads. The increase in the load/dimensions of the heavy-lift helicopter just reinforces the point.

The C-130 line at Marietta was only kept open because the Congress made the USAF buy the C130J, they would have preferred to extend the life of their current models till they knew what they needed to replace them with.

With the C-27 now being reported as being the preferred choice for future SF buys, and the USAF looking at fitting them 30mm cannons to supplement/replace the AC-130s, the long term future of the C-130 looks dubious.

Would the USAF buy A400M? Of course not, they'll just buy more C-17s, which is what they want anyway.
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