Norway to buy C-130J??? ....and ASAP!????
 

All over the news this week over here.
The Norwegian MOD has finally understood that the old C-130Hs are nackered.
4 of 6 are in Canada to get "new" wings (from the scrapyard), with one more to follow. The result: One operational Herc.
They have found severe corrotion damage on several airframes as well.
The MOD is considering trying to "snach" aircraft on order for other forces, in less dire need. Apparently they might buy or lease 4 aircraft ASAP. :)
Final decision is pending....... :D
Sorry, no english articles, in Norwegian: http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/ir...cle1596357.ece

Might I suggest Sir leases a few C-130s until such time as the A400M is available?


Perhaps Sir should place his order now to avoid disappointment?

Whereabouts are the cupholders?

Yeah, why would Norway want to buy an operationally proved aircraft when they can buy into a design concept picture?

More than a concept
 

I understood that the first A400M was actually being assembled in Germany as we type?

Being assembled, so no actual complete a/c to take pictures of, hence design concept pictures still being used for the PR.

Of course I'm sure it'll be ready for sale in no time at all knowing what the European aircraft industry is like....:rolleyes:

Just aft of the sidesticks, as it happens.

Never mind cupholders - where is the steering wheel?
:)

Ok for ambidextrous pilots :ok: but what about the rest? if you’re sat in the left seat, are right handed and have the left handed co-ordination a-kin to a surgeon wearing boxing gloves, then landings are going to be oh so much fun when flown manual........:eek:

Marshalls are still in the process of testing the engine.

It's no different to moving from co to captain on the Herc. It only takes a couple of trips to learn to cope with it, so I'd say be there and cope or don't move to the left hand seat :ok:

More insightful wit and wisdom THS. :ugh:

S_H

unfortunatley for the A400m many of the customers who looked like they were holding out for A400 or at least for some compition to the herc have now disvcovered due to operational considerations they need airlift capability now and not in 5 years time, Leasing or extending service life is expensive and why pay now and pay later for new A400's when they can have shiney new C130J's and C17's in the next 2-3 years.

When FLA begat FSTA and FTA, the choice was between A400M and C130J as FTA, although STSA was identified as a requirement until FTA became reality.

C310J provided tranche 1 of FTA and C130K was to be kept in service until tranche 2, A400M, became available; C-17 provided the STSA element. However, STSA appears to be established now as part of the FTA requirement as the C-17s are to be acquired conventionally.

It didn't help that Germany delayed A400M by not signing up on time, hence C130K must carry on for longer than was originally envisaged.





I think....??

Problem is beags, we cant wait for A400M, no matter how good it is. We are majorly hurting for AT right NOW. To this end, the J is being flogged into the ground as a result of lack of Tactical Air Transport. Truth is, we could do with another 10 Js and appropriate number of Crews YESTERDAY, not tommorrow. The K simply cannot support the tempo of ops in theatre due to its well-known problems.

And it would appear its not just the UK in this position. Airbus could be unlucky this time and have a superb product but to late for the market

My understanding, was that snoopy was be put back to standard, and was going to be sold to the Dutch.

Using it to test fly the 400 engine does not make a lot of sense, when one looks at how badly the RAF could use a low houred C130. Could have done the job with any tired C130K.

I presume in doing the conversion, that consideration was given to putting it back to standard.

Regards

Col

Norway has been touted as a customer for the J and the A400M for ages now, but will meet its AT needs with its patched up Hs and via its involvement in NATO efforts to gain leased access to An-124s (already signed) and C-17s (pending).

As some have suggested here, why should Oslo sign up to the A400M now? There's no industrial workshare to be had by a new customer, and the Hs will run on long enough to give it a chance to fly the A400M before it commits to buying.

My understanding is that the mods are so extensive that reconversion is uneconomic and the airframe will be reduced for spares then scrapped.

I think ORAC is right as regards Snoopy. The aircraft is now owned by Marshall Aerospace, and any question of it joining the RAF fleet went out of the window when the DSA started to market it for disposal. Should look pretty peculiar once the TP400 engine is on the wing!