The C-17 is proving to be an excellent and reliable airlifter performing equally well in both inter-theatre and intra-theatre applications. But we are not using it in the tactical role.
The C130K is a trusty workhorse for intra-theatre use with a proven tactical pedigree; the C130J has been beset with reliability and other problems, is far more complicated than it needed to be and has yet to be used in much more than straightforward non-tactical roles. But either model of C130 is totally unsuitable for moving passengers - indeed passengers are not allowed to be moved by C130 unless there is no feasible option. However, this is frequently ignored by the bean counters at 2Gp and/or DTMA who constantly break this regulation.
Then there might be the A400M. But the Italians have now pulled out, the next contract stage has been delayed yet again.... It is supposed (eventually) to fit between the C-17 and C130, but it'll probably be too late and too expensive, so we'll (hopefully) $hitcan any further direct C130 replacements (especially when the pongos wise up to the fact that mass parachute jumps are a thing of the past!) and increase the numbers and roles of the far superior C-17!
[ 21 November 2001: Message edited by: BEagle ]