Isn't it about time we dumped politics and trying to re-invent the wheel ?
The C-130 may be over 50 years old, but the 'J' versions certainly aren't.
That and the rather good ( as far as I can make out ) C-17 have transport covered; so unless we come up with something special & extremely unlikely like a V/STOL job, let's leave it to them, buy a few more and spend the rest of the money on aircraft, ships or army equipment ?